Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her government has taken up various programmes to enhance the capability of the Bangladesh Air Force and make it a modern organisation befitting 21st century needs.
Inclusion of 16 new state-of-the art fighter planes, three Mi 171 modern helicopters and one surface to air missile system is part of the farsighted policy to further strengthen the force, which is a continuation of the similar schemes undertaken by the previous (1996-2001) regime of Awami League, she mentioned.
During its previous tenure, the Hasina government procured Mig-29 fighter plane of the fourth Generation, C-130 cargo plane and also added high-tech powerful and sophisticated radar in the air force to protect country’s airspace.
The establishment of Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre at Kurmitola Airfield is an epoch-making step of the present government aiming to ensure proper and cost-effective maintenance of the fighter planes and other equipments of the BAF, the prime minister mentioned, while addressing a Darber of Bangladesh Air Force at BAF Base Bashar in Dhaka Cantonment yesterday, says a UNB report.
A fully fledged air base has also been established at Cox’s Bazar to monitor the airspace of country’s exclusive economic zone at the maritime boundary in the south and south-eastern region, she said.
Besides, Hasina, who is also in charge of defence ministry, mentioned the purchase of three Transport Trainer planes, two Maritime Search and Rescue planes and nine Jet Trainer planes, while 24 Advanced Jet Trainer planes for the BAF are also under process of procurement. There are also plans to purchase Fighter planes, helicopters and Air Defence Radar system, the prime minister added.
Bangladesh Air Force has participated in 24 peacekeeping missions under the UN since 1993, the PM said, adding that during present tenure of her government, one BAF contingent with C-130 transport aircraft has been deployed in Congo while another contingent in Ivory Coast with three helicopters.
Over 500 BAF members are now working with the UN peacekeeping missions, she added.
Hasina hoped that the BAF members would be able to further brighten the image of the country in the international arena in future through discharging their responsibilities with wisdom, professional efficiency and dutifulness.
She asked air force members to be prepared all the time like other institutional forces to face any threat against the continuation of democratic trend and the constitution.
