| Bangladesh |
Bangladesh became independent from Pakistan in 1971. From 1947 (when Pakistan and current India were 'created') until 1971 the area was known as East Pakistan. The country (mainly Muslims) found itself under the government rule dominated by West Pakistan (the current Pakistan). On 26 March 1971, following a bloody crackdown by the Pakistan army, Bengali nationalists declared an independent People's Republic of Bangladesh. On 16 December 1971 Pakistani forces surrendered, and Bangladesh ('Bengal nation') was born.
The country is poor, densely populated and regularly flooded. A country of giant deltas and flat lands, Bangladesh is at the receiving end of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers where they pour into the Bay of Bengal. Fifty-four rivers flow into the country making it the largest deltaic region in the world. The disastrous river floods of 1987 and 1988 inundated 40 and 60% of the country, respectively.
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| Bangladesh Air Force |
Indian assistance in the struggle for independence led to a number of aircraft (DHC-3 Otter, Dakota and Alouette 3) being donated to the Bangladesh Air Force to be. The first fighters of the country were five Sabres left behind by the Pakistan Air Force.
After the Bangladesh Air Force was officially formed (28 September 1973) two Wessex HU5s were acquired and a dozen MiG-21s from Russia. Russia also supplied some transportcapability (An-24 and An-26s) and helicopters (Mi-8). Another supplying country was added in 1977; China. This country has supplied several types of aircraft to bolster the Air Force's capabilities. France has supplied a number of CM170 Magisters in the mid-eighties and the US has supplied twelve T-37s in de mid-nineties. Pakistan has supplied the country with a large number of refurbished F-6s. All of the F-6s have been retired by now and a number of aircraft never saw service with the Bangladesh Air Force. The 1991 flooding resulted in writing off a number of F-6s, some of them were still crated awaiting assembly.
Nowadays the Bangladesh Air Force operates from four major bases, tree of them are named after national heroes; Bashar AB (Dhaka), Matiur Rahman AB (Jessore), Zahurul Haque AB (Chittagong) and Bogra AB. Bashar AB actually consists of two bases; Dhaka-Tejgaon and Dhaka-Kurmitola. The latter is located on the new Zia International Airport, while Tejgaon is the old Dhaka International Airport. Plans call for resurrecting Shamshernagar AB as well but no further details are available.
Tejgaon houses two helicopter squadrons (flying the Mi-17 and Bell 212). Kurmitola is the main fighter-base, were two squadrons of F(T)-7s are stationed, one squadron of MiG-29s and one squadron of A-5s. The Jessore base houses the Air Force Academy, where the Flying Training Wing operates two squadrons (flying T-37s and Bell 206s respectively). The PT-6s of the Academy moved to Bogra in 2006. The transport squadrons also operates from Jessore. At Chittagong one squadron with L-39s is stationed, alongside a helicopter squadron operating with Bell 212s.
A recent addition to the Air Force are the eight MiG-29s that were acquired in 1998 and have since been delivered to Kurmitola. The country was awaiting permission and money to acquire another sixteen Fulcrums, but the order was never signed. Publications indicated that the government was to withdraw the eight Fulcrums instead, because of the costs for operating the aircraft. The type has been noted active during late 2007 though.
Another newer type is the C-130 Hercules. Four aircraft have been delivered and they are operating from Bashar.
In 2005 another sixteen F-7s, designated F-7BG (based on the F-7MG) were ordered, of which four were delivered as two-seat aircraft. The first eight aircraft of the order were delivered on 29 March 2006.
Bangladesh Army Aviation operates a PA-31, Ce208, Bell 206 helicopters and some Cessna 150s.
There are plans to create a flying element within the Bangladesh Navy operating two Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The order for two AW109 Power helicopters in February 2010 is the first sign that the Navy is getting a flying element.
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Photo: Chris Knott
Photo: Chris Knott
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Order of Battle