Well - we don't have confirmed proof yet. That's the bottom line.
But the Forces Goal 2030 which I referred to earlier in the thread - specified a configurable Advanced Jet trainer (AJT) and Air superiority (AS) + ground/maritime strike (GS/MS) platforms which were to be direct follow-ons from the AJT itself. It is almost textbook in its approach.
We now have the choice of the AJT materialized (Yak 130), so it logically follows that whatever the AJT can be configured as (for training) will be the choice for the follow-on AS/GS/MS platforms. This means anything from MiG-29SMT for AS to the Su-30 (or J-11) for GS/MS.
I can hedge my bets on a squadron of the Su-30 at a minimum (unless of course - we have an unlikely collapse of our economy next week/month/year). We need GS/MS capability direly and it is a huge gap in the implementation of our defense doctrine.
According to one
report, the MiG-29se version for Bangladesh were to be upgarded to SMT standard and I recall seeing some images of BAF Mig 29's with the SMT hump at Russian/Ukrainian bases before the conflagration started.
According to another report at defenceBD (06/2014), this was finalized (pardon the English, it was probably a junior media writer). At any rate - there may be further augmentation with additional squadrons of MiG-29 SMT.
"
Bangladesh Air Force is finally upgrading it's fleet of Mig-29SE into Mig-29SMT standard
Bangladesh Air Force currently operates eight Mig-29SE.
Bangladesh's two neighbours, India and Myanmar each have 69 Mig-29UPG and 31 Mig-29B/C respectively.
India previously offered Bangladesh to upgrade it's Mig-29SE into Mig-29SMT standard. The deal was not finalized.
Currently Myanmar is displaying very aggressive behavior towards Bangladesh as a neighbour. The Govt. in Myanmar fears that Bangladesh may invade Myanmar. They are planning to buy 24 Mig-35 or Su-35 in 2014. USD 1 Billion has been allocated for buying Aircraft in the 2014 budget.
After upgradation to SMT standard, Bangladesh AF MiG-29 aircraft will be able to fire the R-77 BVR Missile. Bangladesh has already purchased a number of R-77 BVR missiles in 2013.
MiG-29SMT main features:
– Modern high precision weapons of "A-S" class are included into the weapons nomenclature. It is provided for the weapons nomenclature enhancement during aircraft life cycle.
– The aircraft is equipped with multifunctional multi-mode pulse-Doppler airborne "Zhuk-ME" radar manufactured by "Fazotron-NIIP" Corporation. The radar is provided with a slot antenna array. As compared with the airborne radar of the previous generation the "Zhuk-ME" has enhanced scanning angles in azimuth, twice increased detection range, less weight and higher reliability. The "Zhuk-ME" radar provides for tracking up to 10 air targets with capability of simultaneous firing of 4 targets with missiles.
– The airborne avionics of the MiG-29SMT aircraft is designed following the principle of open architecture on the basis of a mission computer with the data exchange multiplex channel (bus of MIL STD 1553B standard). It allows to install aboard the aircraft the new systems of Russian or foreign origin at the customer’s request.
– The cockpit data display system includes two new wide-screen MFD-10-6 multifunction color displays and realizes the HOTAS conception.
– INS-GPS navigation system is included into the navigation equipment.
– The aircraft is equipped with in-flight refueling system."
