Process on to buy modern fighter jets

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said process was on to purchase ultra-modern and high-performance fighter planes for Bangladesh Air Force as part of the government's move to implement the "Forces Goal-2030".

"The process is underway to purchase more modern and high-performance fighter planes and other equipment for the air force aimed at making it further developed and modern to implement the 'Forces Goal-2030'," she said while addressing virtually as the chief guest at "President Parade (Winter)-2020" from the Gono Bhaban.

The BAF is going to get the air defence system integration, unmanned aerial vehicle system, mobile gap filler radar and ultra-modern air defence radar soon, she said.

The premier further said that her government has signed an agreement to purchase five C-130J transport aircrafts and three of those have already reached the country. A PT-6 Simulator is set to be inducted soon.

To ensure proper and developed training for the air cadets, seven K-8W jet trainer aircraft have already been added to the fleet of the air force, she continued, saying, "The government is firmly committed to continue the pace of advancement of the air force."

The PM said they have taken measures for overall development of the air force following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The PM said that they have recently opened Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University, adding, "We will attain ability in building fighter planes, transport aircrafts, and helicopters with the knowledge to be obtained from the university."

She recalled the contribution of Bangabandhu in building the armed forces with limited resources during his three and a half years of tenure alongside rebuilding a war-ravaged country.

The PM said that Bangabandhu had then purchased the most modern fighter jets Mig-21, modern transport aircraft, air defence system and helicopters for the air force.

Bangladesh Air Force arranged a spectacular parade and fly past at its Jashore Academy marking the occasion which the PM virtually witnessed.

Chief of air staff air chief marshal masihuzzaman serniabat later gave a vote of thanks to the prime minister for joining the programme.

He, on behalf of the prime minister, earlier distributed 'Sword of Honour', 'Chief of Air Staff Trophy,' 'Commandants Trophy' and other prizes among the best cadets.

Hasina called upon the cadets of the air force to serve the nation being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War and patriotism.

She said, "I want to tell each of the members of the air force to keep in mind that we had achieved independence through a war. So, you would have to make yourself prepared enough so that you can move around the world keeping your heads high."

The prime minister said that her government has been working tirelessly to do whatever necessary for the armed forces so their personnel could compete with the members of army, navy and air forces of other countries with whom they are working in the UN peacekeeping missions.

She greeted the air force personnel as they extended helping hands in face of the Covid-19 pandemic, saying, "You have set an example with the measures to bring medicare equipment from China and South Korea alongside reaching humanitarian assistances to different countries, including the Maldives and Lebanon and bringing the Bangladeshi nationals who were stranded in different countries during the pandemic to our homelands."