PM wants fighter base at Cox's Bazaar airport

[eastwatch]

PM wants fighter base at Cox's Bazar: report :: Bangladesh :: bdnews24.com ::

PM wants fighter base at Cox's Bazar: report
Sun, Sep 6th, 2009 9:44 pm BdST
Kamran Reza Chowdhury
bdnews24.com Senior Correspondent

Dhaka, Sept 6 (bdnews24.com)—The prime minister has given directives to turn Cox's Bazar airport into an advanced airbase for speedy dispatch of fighter planes, according to a paper presented by defence ministry officials to a parliamentary body on Sunday.

The report presented to the standing committee on defence said the ministry has also proposed allocating 25 percent of the annual defence budget to the air force until 2014 for its modernisation.

It further said that the government was moving to set up a radar station in Cox's Bazar, followed by one in Barisal, to bring the country under radar coverage. The paper said the defence ministry had finalised the specifications for procuring a radar system for Cox's Bazar.

None of the standing committee members spoke to the press after the meeting.

"We have not discussed anything newsworthy today," defence committee chairman Idris Ali told reporters at the parliament building.

The paper tabled at the meeting by defence ministry officials said, "As per the directives of the Prime Minister, preparation for turning the Cox's Bazar air port into an advanced air base is on.

"The ministry is coordinating with the civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh to stretch the existing runway and build [other facilities]."

Ministry officials said in their report that the deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar had already taken measures to acquire land for the purpose.

The report also said the ministry had drafted short-term, mid-term and long-term plans to modernise the air force.

"As per the short-term plan, 25 percent of the annual military budget can be given to the air force until 2014.

"Or a special budget allocation can be made to install vital instruments for modernisation of the air force," it said.

"Short-range and mid-range surface-to-air-missile (SAM) system can be procured to secure the air force's installations as mid-term measures (from 2014 to 2021)," said the report.

It also said the existing A-5, FT-6 and F-7 fighter planes could be replaced in phases in the long-term.

"After 2021, measures can be taken to purchase new planes for the air force's three squadrons," said the defence ministry paper.

 

[Righteous_Fire]

I think its a good move, it is necessary for the defence of Bangladesh and avoiding enemy air dominance.

Cox's Bazaar is strategically an important site and for those of you guys who dont know where it is located inside Bangladesh, here is a map:



This clearly show its importance for use as a Naval Air wing base as well

 

[M_Saint]

PM wants fighter base at Cox's Bazar: report :: Bangladesh :: bdnews24.com ::.

Does anyone see the inter-link among removing troops from CHT, sacking Azmi and PM Hasina's wish to build fighter base in Cox's Bazar? If not then we need to wake up. IMO, WW111 is already in its conception phase. Unless we plan wisely, our existence would shortly be in staked.

 

[eastwatch]

I think its a good move, it is necessary for the defence of Bangladesh and avoiding enemy air dominance.

Cox's Bazaar is strategically an important site and for those of you guys who dont know where it is located inside Bangladesh, here is a map:



This clearly show its importance for use as a Naval Air wing base as well

Thank you for posting the map of BD. Bangladesh is a very small country without a real strategic depth. Cox's Bazaar is a little far away from any point of BD border with Indian air/missile base. Mountains, hills, and dense jungle surround the area, which will provide a better protection. When 3D radars are deployed, the fighters will get a little more time to defend any Indian attack from land or sea.

However, Burma is very near Cox's Bazaar and that country is getting ready for any future conflict against BD. Burma had to face humiliation last year at the hands of BD navy. BD navy forced Burma to withdraw its oil/gas investigation vessels from a disputed sea area then. After this event Burma is strengthening its forces near the border with BD.

No one should think a civilian PM decides defence matters herself. The choice of Cox's Bazaar has certainly been recommended by the military top brass. BD is contemplating to purchase two submarines. I hope the navy will also build a naval base in Cox'z Bazaar that can provide shelter or hide these submarines. Moreover, a deep seaport will be built near Cox's Bazaar at a minimum cost of $10 billion. Presence of air as well as naval bases there guarantees the protection of this asset.

By the way, USA has placed some kind of monitoring equipments near Cox's Bazaar or Teknaf since last year a few months after the BD-Burma showdown. US ambassador said that these were to monitor smugglers. But, I am not very sure about this.

 

[M_Saint]

Burma had to face humiliatrion last year at the hands of BD navy. BD navy forced Burma to withdraw its oil/gas investigation vessels from a disputed sea area then. After this event Burma is strengthening its forces near the border with BD..

That incident was totally uncalled for by the illegal entity of FUA/MUA and it alienated JUNTA from us that would push the 'Look East as well as road construction policy' in the back burner. And not following up such rhetoric with follow action by those 'Dallarer bacchas' also similarly egging by SH-GOVT on the issue proved that 'Picking a fight with Burmese for Bangladeshi cause' was not in the card from the beginning, rather it was used as a pretext by uncle to 'Put a check' on Burmese AKA Dragan; encirclement of which would lead the third WW IMO. Now excuse my language, the way things have panned out since OCT 28th 06, the fcuking MUA/FUA/SH dalals have been simply selling us in this great game. We are simply fcuked by our so-called educated experts, generals and power-greedy politicians.

By the way, USA has placed some kind of monitoring equipments near Cox's Bazaar or Teknaf since last year a few months after the BD-Burma showdown.

OMG! That just confirms that the early presumption was right. Now cross reference it with India's accusation against Dragon(China violated international border: India,), uncle's hammer in PAK (Ahmed Quraishi.com) and Pashtu decimation (Crimes Against Humanity · Dictatorship Watch) to find out if everything falls in a bigger plan to finish INDO-ZION's perceived enemies off or not, please.

Finally please visit the following website (Henry C.K. Liu Home) to read the five parts of 'Trade war' and 'Failed state ... and New World Order' to get 'A comprehensive strategic understanding' on world affairs and how we are preparing to coup ourselves to adjust with it.

 

[leonblack08]

BAF had earlier asked for it.Good to see its going that way.BAF also asked Kurmitola air base to be separate for BAF use.Not sure what's the progress on that.

About procuring fighters after 2021,I think its too late.Most of our F-7s and all A-5s are around 20 years old.By 2021,they will be 30.I wonder they will even survive till then.

Except F-7 BG which are the newest addition to BAF in 2006.

Buying SAMs after 2014,don't know how wise is that.According to BAF report we require 5 layer air defence to keep our sky clean.Isn't 2014 too late?

 

[sunshine9mm]

good idea...............

 

[eastwatch]

That incident was totally uncalled for by the illegal entity of FUA/MUA and it alienated JUNTA from us that would push the 'Look East as well as road construction policy' in the back burner. And not following up such rhetoric with follow action by those 'Dallarer bacchas' also similarly egging by SH-GOVT on the issue proved that 'Picking a fight with Burmese for Bangladeshi cause' was not in the card from the beginning, rather it was used as a pretext by uncle to 'Put a check' on Burmese AKA Dragan; encirclement of which would lead the third WW IMO. Now excuse my language, the way things have panned out since OCT 28th 06, the fcuking MUA/FUA/SH dalals have been simply selling us in this great game. We are simply fcuked by our so-called educated experts, generals and power-greedy politicians.

I think, you have over emphasized the role a WEAK Bangladesh can play in the regional politics. Whatever the govt is doing in Cox's Bazaar, it is definitely to balance a real or perceived threat from across our international border with Burma.

Last year's BD-Burma showdown was for real. If MUA did not take action then also some other conspiracy theorist would have come out with another theory that MUA had been sold out and that Burma had sent him a gift of a few kilos of precious stones as well as a few white-skinned Burmese beauties. Sorry, somehow we are fond of spreading this kind of gossips against anyone who we think is against a certain political Party. It is not logical.

However, I suspect USA was behind the DHAMKI our FM Iftekhar-ud-Din was making against Burma every three hours. Have you noticed the arrival of a naval ship from the US Pacific Fleet when the showdown was going? Probably, the US satelite cameras had caught oil/gas investigation activities in the disputed territories.

BD does not have any such sophisticated technology so as to pinpoint activities in the vast sea. I think, USA informed the matter to BD and rushed a naval ship to Chittagong on an excuse of joint cyclone evacuation exercise. The purpose was to intimidate Burma.

I have stated only a news that was published in those days and have deduced my own conclusion. It may be correct or it may be wrong. But, US is taking steps that BD can defend itself from Burma. Its long-term goal is to oust China from Burma and get a hold on the vast reserve of natural resources there. BD will probably remain a tool in this game.

Saying this, I must also say that we should try to get the best out of the triangular regional conflict in the future, the main players being USA, China and India.

 

[SeaGull]

as well as a few white-skinned Burmese beauties.

Did you say white skinned Burmese beauties - you make me quite dizzy Eastwatch

 

[leonblack08]

Who is helping Burma? India? Russia?

India recently supplied burmese with large supplies of arms and ammunition,and Tanks.

Besides they have very good relation with China.

 

[khabib]

India recently supplied burmese with large supplies of arms and ammunition,and Tanks.

Besides they have very good relation with China.

Pakistan also provide military training to Burma as well.

 

[dabong1]

Is Cox's Bazaar not a beach?

 

[PakShaheen79]

Pretty tactical location to have a fighter base. Extreme South just mouth at sea shores of Bay of Bangol.

 

[arihant]

Pakistan also provide military training to Burma as well.

Thanks for notice. I heard even Chinese also provide weapons. India opposes any military or junta rule. Hence, currently myanmar-india relations not good.

 

[khabib]

Thanks for notice. I heard even Chinese also provide weapons. India opposes any military or junta rule. Hence, currently myanmar-india relations not good.

Like Bangladesh 90% of there hardware from china. They also bought other weapons from Russia and some other sources include eastern europe and Singapore.

India also supply them with artillary gun and other weapons including
Helicopter. Whether india like military junta or not, it is trying its best to gain foot onto Myanmar.