Bangladesh Air Force

[Buddhistforlife]

Please do not use pretty words to deviate from the issue in hand.Whatever the common people thinks, is it not the duty of a government to ensure the protection & freedom of it's citizen?
And even if the common Burmese hate Rohingyas, does it give the military a right to rape, kill, torture & expell them?

I have never said that the military has the right to commit genocide but blaming it entirely on the military government is not correct. I'm sure a civilian government or a elected government would have done the same too.

 

[Michael Corleone]

Then better option is ….. For single engine medium category bird Buy J-10 according to BD airforce needs and requirements ….. This bird is not expensive BD-Airforce can have 80+ of them in 10 years without any extraordinary money (funds) ….
And for heavy look towards west ……. Rafal and EFT ,,,,,,, expensive yes but doable and right bang for the money spent ,,,,, pick one of them and start buying ……. China don't have any heavy(twine engine on sale suitable for BD)
@Avicenna

That’s apparently how things will span out. AF chief went and visited j10 training and discussed modernization

I wouldn't be so sure. Myanmar remains a threat as long as the rohingyas are not getting out BD and the rohingyas are staying in BD for more several years to come, taking into consideration our foreign policy and continuous failures in carrying out the repatriation process.

Call for complete arms sales embargo has been made in Europe. Diplomatically if this is successful then they’re not a threat at all

Well you can expect something from BAF chief's last two tours in Russia and China. Especially from Russia tour. The news indicates that.

View attachment 580586

https://www.ispr.gov.bd/en/air-chief-returns-home-from-russia/

There’s two teams mig 35and j10 now who will win depends on who gives the better offer. Which I think is good.

 

[Philip the Arab]

IMO, JF-17 has more bang for its buck and seems much more easier to fly than the Mig-35, and J-10. In a war with Myanmar JF-17s could use SOWs like LS-6 against strategic targets and could probably hold their own against Mig-29s, and other JF-17s in A2A if purchased in significant numbers. Now, only a few MAF would actually be threats right away which are the airbase in Sittwe, the airbase in Myitkyina, and possibly Meiktila. The standoff range of the LS-6 PGB is about 60KM which is more than sufficient for taking out airbases and fleeing back to BD.

This is my idea for a strike on Sittwe airbase, fly from Cox's Bazar air base towards sea and turn towards Sinttwe at certain point, fly towards Sittwe and drop LS-6 and get back to base.

Doesn't really seem that hard of a mission skill wise

Also, cooperation with Pakistan is crucial to keep an edge over Myanmar... Pakistan can supply BD with much needed cruise missiles like Babur for example.

 

[Michael Corleone]

IMO, JF-17 has more bang for its buck and seems much more easier to fly than the Mig-35, and J-10. In a war with Myanmar JF-17s could use SOWs like LS-6 against strategic targets and could probably hold their own against Mig-29s, and other JF-17s in A2A if purchased in significant numbers. Now, only a few MAF would actually be threats right away which are the airbase in Sittwe, the airbase in Myitkyina, and possibly Meiktila. The standoff range of the LS-6 PGB is about 60KM which is more than sufficient for taking out airbases and fleeing back to BD.

This is my idea for a strike on Sittwe airbase, fly from Cox's Bazar air base towards sea and turn towards Sinttwe at certain point, fly towards Sittwe and drop LS-6 and get back to base.
View attachment 580660

Doesn't really seem that hard of a mission skill wise

Also, cooperation with Pakistan is crucial to keep an edge over Myanmar... Pakistan can supply BD with much needed cruise missiles like Babur for example.

100 percent sure there won’t be any war with Myanmar... because they can’t possibly win one and we can’t possibly afford one

 

[Philip the Arab]

100 percent sure there won’t be any war with Myanmar... because they can’t possibly win one and we can’t possibly afford one

Are you 100% sure they can't win one?
Also, JF-17 could help in a potential conflict with India. Say for example, a Bangladeshi national does an attack in India and India does a strike on BD itself.

 

[Avicenna]

100 percent sure there won’t be any war with Myanmar... because they can’t possibly win one and we can’t possibly afford one

I wouldn’t be so sure about that.

 

[Michael Corleone]

Are you 100% sure they can't win one?
Also, JF-17 could help in a potential conflict with India. Say for example, a Bangladeshi national does an attack in India and India does a strike on BD itself.

I shouldn’t even be answering the first question
But to reiterate, the Russian and Chinese visits were for the fighters... whoever will provide an affordable package will win... I hear j10 is in the lead
Ex RAF typhoons will only be specialized air superiority roles. While the medium class (j10 or mig 35) will be the backbone of the air force. I’m really hoping for a news before the end of this year

I wouldn’t be so sure about that.

At best there will be skirmishes not an all out blown war. For them to win, we would have to sit back and do nothing, keep all the boats docked so that they launch a Pearl Harbor style attack... and the air force well ....

 

[UKBengali]

Are you 100% sure they can't win one?
Also, JF-17 could help in a potential conflict with India. Say for example, a Bangladeshi national does an attack in India and India does a strike on BD itself.

Why get Jf-17 Block 3 when the superior J-10C is available to BD?

JF-17 Block 3 only makes sense if J-10C is not available

 

[Philip the Arab]

I shouldn’t even be answering the first question
But to reiterate, the Russian and Chinese visits were for the fighters... whoever will provide an affordable package will win... I hear j10 is in the lead
Ex RAF typhoons will only be specialized air superiority roles. While the medium class (j10 or mig 35) will be the backbone of the air force. I’m really hoping for a news before the end of this year

Weight classes you are talking about are completely different from JF-17...
Typhoon is 11 thousand KG
J-10 is 9.75 thousand KG
Mig-35 is 11 thousand KG
and JF-17 is 6.5 thousand KG or 1/2 of the weight of the Typhoon and Mig-35.
I think BAF should go for very light fighter for multirole duties (JF-17 Block 2) bought in high numbers (50-60) while Block 3 is in development and production is finished for Block II and try to get them built ASAP at Chinese facilities, and Pakistani facilities because I think they don't have current production right now and when Block III is finished get them upgraded to Block III standard.
They should also go for medium fighters (J-10C, or Mig-35, or Typhoon) in less numbers (30-40) for aerial superiority roles.
Heavy fighters are not needed because of the limited producers Su-30, and variants are pretty much the only option for BAF, because F-15s are pretty much impossible.

Why get Jf-17 Block 3 when the superior J-10C is available to BD?

JF-17 Block 3 only makes sense if J-10C is not available

Different weight class as I told @Michael Corleone in the post above this one.

 

[UKBengali]

Different weight class as I told @Michael Corleone in the post above this one.

BAF wants the BEST possible fighter to use against India.

J-10C can take on Rafale better than JF-17 Block 3 can.

Something like Gripen E can be the light-fighter analog to J-10C.

J-10C takes on India and Gripen E takes on Myanmar.

 

[Philip the Arab]

BAF wants the BEST possible fighter to use against India.

J-10C can take on Rafale better than JF-17 Block 3 can.

Something like Gripen E can be the light-fighter analog to J-10C.

J-10C takes on India and Gripen E takes on Myanmar.

Will US allow Sweden to export Gripen to BD? And will they not embargo the Gripen in a war with India for example? Trust me, if Indian and Indian Americans can put enough pressure on Sweden and the US than BD will stop having spare parts, and weapons. Same can't be said about China or Pakistan.


Also, Block 3 is more than capable of taking on most of Myanmar's fighters except maybe Su-30 such as Mig-29, Block 2 JF-17, J-7, etc. It is also much cheaper to maintain because of the close proximity of both China, and Pakistan compared to Sweden.

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

I think there's alot of politics going on now which may be directing or restricting what BAF can or can not buy.

I also think there's alot if incompetence as well.

I think their WAS a plan to buy Russian birds as evidenced by the Yaks in prelude to this.

There were apparently rumors of a Chinese package including J-10.

But then the Rohingya issue exploded in late 2017 which changed the politics at play.

I think the West is making a play for BD and at the same time BD is attempting to diversify away from China.

I think the long term threat to Bangladesh (despite this current government's position) is India.

Myanmar is the short to medium term one.

So the sum of it all, is that the argument that BD doesnt need a strong armed forces is now null and void.

And Bangladesh isn't in some peaceful neighborhood where the armed forces can be neglected.

Politically BD needs China's favor.

It can not alienate India.

At the same time, BD has to protect its interests and have a balance to China.

The West had been attempting to bed India to hedge China.

And BD and India have close relations currently.

So its a clusterf&*k politically right now.

This is whats causing the delay in my opinion.

What is the correct combination?

I also think India is trying to push Tejas which of course I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

I say buy J-10C or Block 3 JF-17 AND ex RAF Typhoon or try for F-16.

Diversify your sources.

Have a leg in each camp (China/West).

And most of all keep India on edge.

IMO any talk of multiple platforms for the BAF (if accurate) is a distraction and, as it had many times before, will not lead to procurement. The BAF needs to rally behind one good platform for a start, and induct it, and then think about the rest later.

If the goal is to go West, then focus on getting the JAS-39E/F Gripen with the GlobalEye AEW&C & ISTAR platform from Sweden.

Though ITAR's involved, I don't think Bangladesh will have any trouble getting approvals. And if the Bangladeshi economy is promising, then Sweden will extend EXIM line of credits to back the deal.

Though multiple platforms has merit, Bangladesh isn't anywhere near as precarious a situation as Pakistan or Turkey to worry about diversification. I doubt Sweden and Europe would embargo Bangladesh for getting into scuffs with Myanmar or India, so long as (with India anyways) it's defensive or responsive.

 

[Philip the Arab]

IMO any talk of multiple platforms for the BAF (if accurate) is a distraction and, as it had many times before, will not lead to procurement. The BAF needs to rally behind one good platform for a start, and induct it, and then think about the rest later.

If the goal is to go West, then focus on getting the JAS-39E/F Gripen with the GlobalEye AEW&C & ISTAR platform from Sweden.

Though ITAR's involved, I don't think Bangladesh will have any trouble getting approvals. And if the Bangladeshi economy is promising, then Sweden will extend EXIM line of credits to back the deal.

Though multiple platforms has merit, Bangladesh isn't anywhere near as precarious a situation as Pakistan or Turkey to worry about diversification. I doubt Sweden and Europe would embargo Bangladesh for getting into scuffs with Myanmar or India, so long as (with India anyways) it's defensive or responsive.

Do you think Pakistan would let Bangladesh get JF-17 with Chinese approval of course? Having two platforms (J-10, and JF-17) from the same country with compatible weapons would simply supply lines and would probably be cheaper than buying the Gripen E (60 Million dollars per unit vs J-10C 40 million per unit and JF-17 Block III 32 million dollars per unit) and having to worry about supply lines in a potential conflict with India, or Myanmar.

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

Do you think Pakistan would let Bangladesh get JF-17 with Chinese approval of course? Having two platforms (J-10, and JF-17) from the same country with compatible weapons would simply supply lines and would probably be cheaper than buying the Gripen E (60 Million dollars per unit vs J-10C 40 million per unit and JF-17 Block III 32 million dollars per unit) and having to worry about supply lines in a potential conflict with India, or Myanmar.

I think the PAF is willing to sell the JF-17 Block-III to the BAF, it's more of a decision on the end of the BAF AHQ. But I think the BAF AHQ is tilting towards a Western jet, and I think the Gripen E/F is the best package on that front.

 

[Avicenna]

IMO any talk of multiple platforms for the BAF (if accurate) is a distraction and, as it had many times before, will not lead to procurement. The BAF needs to rally behind one good platform for a start, and induct it, and then think about the rest later.

If the goal is to go West, then focus on getting the JAS-39E/F Gripen with the GlobalEye AEW&C & ISTAR platform from Sweden.

Though ITAR's involved, I don't think Bangladesh will have any trouble getting approvals. And if the Bangladeshi economy is promising, then Sweden will extend EXIM line of credits to back the deal.

Though multiple platforms has merit, Bangladesh isn't anywhere near as precarious a situation as Pakistan or Turkey to worry about diversification. I doubt Sweden and Europe would embargo Bangladesh for getting into scuffs with Myanmar or India, so long as (with India anyways) it's defensive or responsive.

It's an interesting situation if nothing else.

We DO know that official sources have made public their intent to induct a new fighter/fighters.

I would disagree with you about the precariousness of the BD situation.

Its certainly not as apparent or potentially "hot" as say a Pakistan or Turkey.

But BD does have its own problems in a geopolitical sense.

Its immediate regional powers for all intents and purposes support an antagonistic neighbor.

At the same time, BD has no REAL support in the world.

If BD-Myanmar ever went to war, politically BD would be isolated.

Lip service from "Islamic" countries and the West doesnt count.

At the same time, with this frenemy India, you have sweet words, but the reality is its a festering threat with the way the BJP government is doing things.

So what do you do if you are BD?

I've loved military aviation since I was a little kid but I've realized its actually the politics behind acquisition that are more important.

The real question is what is BD going to do politically.

The hardware it acquires will be reflective of that choice.

We at home can only watch.