Bangladesh Air Force MiG-29 Exclusive from 'Combat Aircraft' Magazine

[MiG-21]

Bangladesh's most advanced fighter aircraft is the MiG-29. Eight examples, including a pair of two-seaters, were delivered in 2000. The first batch of MiG-29 pilots was trained in Russia and MiG company test pilots also conducted training locally. Since introduction, a number of BAF pilots have visited the Royal Malaysian Air Force for combat training in their MiG-29 simulator.

8 Squadron's OC describes flying the MiG-29: "Compared to our other aircraft it is more reliable, with numerous back-up systems. If an engine were to fail then there are three systems that would try to restart the engine automatically, which is great during air combat. There is a stall limiter, which means we can't stall the aircraft. Another two major advantages are the aircraft's great thrust-to-weight ratio and its excellent maneuverability at low speed. All these features gives us more confidence in the aircraft and it means that we can really concentrate on the fight and less on flying. This creates air superiority".

The MiG-29's N019 fire control radar is a great asset, as the OC explains: "Our radar provides us with a capable 'eye in the sky' and a beyond visual range capability, something that even the F-7BG with its modern radar can't offer". Four aircraft were recently overhauled in Ukraine and the remainder will be overhauled soon, keeping the MiG-29 in service for at least another 15 years.

 

[GR!FF!N]

though stall gives an aircraft the capability of crazy maneuvers,but Mig-29 is already very maneuverable.one noob question,did BD acquire BVR technology even before Pakistan??

 

[Nishan_101]

Bangladesh's most advanced fighter aircraft is the MiG-29. Eight examples, including a pair of two-seaters, were delivered in 2000. The first batch of MiG-29 pilots was trained in Russia and MiG company test pilots also conducted training locally. Since introduction, a number of BAF pilots have visited the Royal Malaysian Air Force for combat training in their MiG-29 simulator.

8 Squadron's OC describes flying the MiG-29: "Compared to our other aircraft it is more reliable, with numerous back-up systems. If an engine were to fail then there are three systems that would try to restart the engine automatically, which is great during air combat. There is a stall limiter, which means we can't stall the aircraft. Another two major advantages are the aircraft's great thrust-to-weight ratio and its excellent maneuverability at low speed. All these features gives us more confidence in the aircraft and it means that we can really concentrate on the fight and less on flying. This creates air superiority".

The MiG-29's N019 fire control radar is a great asset, as the OC explains: "Our radar provides us with a capable 'eye in the sky' and a beyond visual range capability, something that even the F-7BG with its modern radar can't offer". Four aircraft were recently overhauled in Ukraine and the remainder will be overhauled soon, keeping the MiG-29 in service for at least another 15 years.

So didn't they ordered new ones in great numbers like 50-70 of them.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

So didn't they ordered new ones in great numbers like 50-70 of them.

Do they need so many of them?

 

[Nishan_101]

Do they need so many of them?

I think if BAF were looking for the MiG-29s then they should have look towards the new ones like MiG-29M/M2s in good number of about 50-70. Although it sound quite obvious to most of the people but when a fighter which is multi role in performance and capability which suites the air force well should be bought in good numbers so that it will going to reduce the number of type as well as easily maintainable too and the ground crew will face lesser stress as well.

 

[Nishan_101]

Although most of the BDs are thinking that I am over estimating the numbers and the type but the reality is that if they were buying the MiG-29s then why old ones and why not new ones that are more capable one. They could have involved their own technicians and Engineers in the construction of these fighters in Russia for gaining knowledge about it that would have helped them a lot.

 

[bdslph]

all existing MIg29 will be upgraded and also more will be bought in near future

 

[UKBengali]

Seems like BD will acquire another 8 Mig-29 and there is also the contract for 16 F-7BGI which will also be fully BVR-capable.