Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have said five new MI-171 helicopters, nine basic training and 16 combat training aircraft would be added to Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) fleet soon to build the BAF as a strong and efficient force.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing the Winter President Parade of 70 Flight Cadet Course (FCC) of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) at BAF Academy on Wednesday morning. Noting that the present government is pledge-bound to maintain the continuation of the development of the BAF, she also said: "In the golden jubilee of independence, we would establish Bangladesh Air Force as a strong and efficient force strategically Insha Allah by its further modernization." Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League government always gave special importance to the development of Bangladesh Air Force and welfare of its members. "We are determined to maintain the continuation of the development," she said. In this connection, the Prime Minister mentioned that the present government has signed agreements for purchasing five new MI-171 helicopters, nine basic training aircraft, three transport training aircraft, two maritime search and rescue helicopters and 16 combat training aircraft. "These would be added to the air force fleet soon," she said. On her arrival at the BAF Academy Parade Ground, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari and Commandant of BAF Academy Air Commodore M Sayed Hossain.
The Prime Minister reviewed the smartly turned-out parade and took salute at the impressive March past as the chief guest. She also handed over trophies, certificates and flying badges among the flight cadets. Among others, ministers, parliament members, chief of Naval Staff, diplomats, high civil and military officials, local dignitaries and guardians of the flight cadets were also present. Flight Cadet Wing Under Officer Dhrubo Sarker commanded the parade which was followed by a spectacular flypast of different aircraft of BAF Academy. The Prime Minister called upon the newly-commissioned officers of Bangladesh Air Force to perform their great responsibility for safeguarding the hard-earned independence of the country. She said Bangladesh Air Force is a radiant with the divine grace of sacrifice of numerous heroes like Birshreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman and Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque. "It is now your responsibility to protect the hard-earned independence as their followers. You will have to continue to perform this great task being imbued with the spirit of true patriotism," she added. The Prime Minister also urged the newly-commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Air Force to reflect their firm commitment to "Keep Free the Sky of Bangla" in their work and thinking. "Besides, you will have to keep in mind the history of sacrifice and struggle of millions of lives for independence," she said. Mentioning that newly-commissioned officers are the future leaders of the air force, the Prime Minister said they will have to build themselves as able successors of the force. "You will have to utilize properly the every precious resource and see the welfare of the colleagues and subordinates with utmost importance and sympathy. It is our expectation that you would build Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Bangbandhu by following his ideals," she said. Noting that Bangladesh Air Force has a glorious history, Sheikh Hasina said the BAF members without necessary equipment conducted courageous operation against the invading force during the War of Liberation with only an Alouette helicopter, a DC-3 and an Otter aircraft. The Prime Minister said the brave pilots of Bangladesh Air Force first hit successfully on the establishments of the enemy by entering the Bangladesh's air space. "The BAF carried out over 40 successful operations through only one Alouette chopper and an Otter aircraft which was a sign of extraordinary efficiency of our pilots," she said. During the Great War of Liberation, she said, the air force officials had performed important responsibilities like sector commander. "The nation would ever-remember this courageous contribution of the air force members," she said.