Bangladesh Air Force

Active 1971–present
Country Bangladesh
Allegiance Bangladesh
Branch Air Force
Type Military Aviation
Role Aerial Warfare
25,000+ personnel
Size
300+ aircraft
Part of Bangladesh Armed Forces
Air Headquarters Dhaka Cantonment
Nickname(s) BAF
Patron The President of Bangladesh
Motto(s) (We shall keep the sky of Bangla Free)
Engagements Bangladesh Liberation War
Website www.baf.mil.bd
Commanders
Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari ndu, psc
Insignia
 The Bangladesh Air Force

Bangladesh Biman Bahini), is the aerial warfare arm of the Bangladesh Armed
Forces. Being the first line of defence of Bangladesh, the air force revealed
their long-term advancement and procurement plan in Defence IQ 2011
International Fighter Aircraft Conference in London. The Bangladesh Air Force
currently employs more than 25,000 personnel including 750+ pilots and
navigators.
History

The Bangladesh Air Force was officially formed at the Sector Commanders
Conference during its independence war from Pakistan in 1971. Its official
date of formation has been established as 28 September 1971 and it was
launched formally by the Government on 8 October 1971. Out of 11
BDFdisambiguation needed Sectors, the most tactically significant sector, the
Central Sector - BDFdisambiguation needed Sector 11, was in command of a
BAF officer including Sector 6. A significant number of BAF personnel
participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Initially, BAF was formed with
all officers and airmen of Bengali origin serving in the Pakistan Air Force prior
to the war. At that time, the embryo of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was
formed with less than hundred officers and a quite good number of airmen
and warrant officers. During the independence war, officers of the BAF
attached to the Z-Force were then BD Gov't Representative to Chakulia
Guerilla Trng. Camp Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan,[1] later Sub-
Sector Commander and as Commander-Sector 11, Flight Lieutenant Liaqat as
Battalion Adjutant, Flying Officer Rouf, Flying Officer Ashraf and Flight
Sergeant Shafiqullah as company commanders. Squadron Leader Sadruddin
Hossain, Squadron Leader Wahidur Rahim, Squadron Leader Nurul Qader,
Squadron Leader Shamsur Rahman and Air Commodore Ataur Rahman as sub
sector company commanders. Squadron Leader Khademul Bashar
participated in the war as Commander-Sector 6.[2]

Near the end of the war, a symbolic flight known as 'Kilo Flight' was flown to
establish the Bangladesh Air Force. Initially, 'Kilo Flight' consisted of three old
and malfunctioning aircraft left by the Indian authorities. Squadron Leader
Sultan Mahmud was appointed as the commander of the 'Kilo Flight' with one
helicopter. Technically efficient airmen after being able to repair the only
helicopter, the Alouette, into some operational form, 'Kilo Flight' successfully
began its maiden operational flight as part of the new air force. During the
war, Pakistan transferred a huge amount of essential war materials,
equipment including precious raw materials and items to then West Pakistan
that was originally assigned and appropriated for the eastern zone and the
rest taken to India. Surrendered war machinery, ammunition, infrastructure
materials, cash and historical including archaeological artefacts were taken by
India. After independence, BAF received a significant donation from the
former USSR and later from China. Among the aircraft delivered were Ten
single-seat MiG-21MF and two twin-seat MiG-21UM.

In 1972, three aircraft: 1 C-47 Dakota, 1 de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter and
a French Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopter were left to Bangladesh by India.
The Pakistan Air Force prior to 1971 had a large number of Bengali pilots, air
traffic controllers, technicians and administrative officers. Many of them
distinguished themselves during the Bangladesh Liberation War, thus despite
the lack of aircraft, they provided the nascent Bangladesh Air Force with a
good number of trained personnel.

Air Force personnel in 1971

During the independence war of 1971, many career Pakistan Air Force officers
and airmen participated in different sectors in Bangladesh and also at the
headquarters. Below are a list of some notable participants. Military ranks are
not necessarily representative of actual rank during the period of conflict:

Air vice-marshal Khademul Bashar

PAF-BAF – Deceased
Wing Commander M.Hamidullah Khan
PAF-BAF – Deceased
Air vice-marshal Sadruddin Hossain
PAF-BAF – Retired
Air Commodore Ataur Rahman
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Wahidur Rahim
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Nurul Kader
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Shamsur Rahman
PAF-BAF – Retired
Air vice-marshal Sultan Mahmud
PAF-BAF – Retired
Squadron Leader Nurul Islam
PAF-BAF – Retired
Group Captain Shamsul Alam
PAF-BAF – Retired
Flight Lieutenant Badrul Alam, Bir Uttom
PAF-BAF - Retired
Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman, Bir Shreshtho
PAF-BAF – Killed during attempt to defect to Bangladesh in 1971.
Flight Lieutenant Liaqat
PAF-BAF- Retired
Flight Lieutenant Iqbal Rashid
 PAF-BAF- Retired
Flying Officer Rouf

PAF-BAF- Retired

Group Captain Ashraf

PAF-BAF- Retired

Flight Sergeant Abu Yusuf Khan

PAF-BAF – Retired

Flight Sergeant Shafiqullah

PAF-BAF – Retired

Non-combatant staff

Group Captain A K Khandker PAF-BAF – Was assigned as the Deputy Chief of

Staff at the end of July 1971 under Lieutenant Colonel Abdur Rab who
remained in Comilla during the war. His primary responsibility consisted of
liaison with local Indian officials and defence personnel at Kalyani, Calcutta.

Distinguished personnel

 Group Captain M. G. Tawab PAF-BAF was not allowed to report to

Colonel M. A. G. Osmani and remained in Thailand until 16 December
1971. He joined Bangladesh Forces the following day after returning to
Dhaka, as Deputy C-in-C at BDF HQ at Dhaka Cantonment (Old 14 Div.
HQ). Tawab remained in that post until 7 April along with General
Osmani. Tawab was again victim to jealous perpetrators and was forced
to quit. He returned to Bangladesh in 1975 after AVM A. K. Khandker
 was sacked in 16
   
August 1975 (due to
inaction on
Khandkers
part regarding
Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman's

assassination). Tawab was brought back to Bangladeshi soil on 16

August and promoted to Air Vice Marshal and became Chief of Air Staff
the same day.
 Group Captain Safiul Azam PAF-BAF (Legendary Eagle Of The Sky)

Organizational structure

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has its HQ at Dhaka Cantonment. HQ has 3
branches, Operations & Training (Ops. & Trng.), Administration and Special
Duties (Admin. & SD) and Material & Maintenance (M & Mte). Each branch is
headed by officers who are considered as Principal Staff Officer (PSO) and
known as Assistant Chief of Air Staff, e.g. ACAS (Ops & Trng). Under each PSO
there are various Directorates headed by Directors of Group Captain Rank.
Under each Director there are Deputy Directors (DD) headed by Wing
Commanders and Staff Officers(SO)with rank of Squadron Leader and below.

Office of the Chief of Air Staff (COAS)

 Air Secretary's Branch

 Chief Inspectorate
 Directorate of Air Intelligence
 Judge Advocate General

Operations and Training Branch

 Directorate of Air Defence

 Directorate of Air Operations
 Directorate of Air Traffic Services
 Directorate of Air Training
 Directorate of Education
 Directorate of Flight Safety
 Directorate of IT
 Directorate of Meteorology
 Directorate of Plan
 Directorate of Recruitment

Administrative and Special Duties Branch

 Directorate of Provost Marshal

 Directorate of Administrative Co-ordination
 Directorate of Finance
 Directorate of Medical Services
 Directorate of Personnel
 Office of the Chief Engineer
 Directorate of Works
 Directorate of Welfare and Ceremony

Material and Maintenance Branch

 Directorate of Armament and Weapons

 Directorate of Communication & Electronics
  Directorate of Engineering
 Directorate of Project
 Directorate of Logestics

Command structure

Shoulder/Sleeve
Appointment Rank & Name Star Plate
insignia
Air Marshal
Chief of Air Staff Muhammad Enamul
Bari, ndu, psc
Assistant Chief of the Air
Air Vice Marshal Abu
Staff (Operations &
Esrar, ndu, acsc
Training)
Air Vice Marshal
Mashiuzzaman
Assistant Chief of Air Staff
Serniabad,
(Administration)

Assistant Chief of Air Staff
(Maintenance)
Air Officer Commanding,
BAF Base Khademul
Bashar
Air Officer Commanding,
BAF Base Bangabandhu
ndu, psc
Air Vice Marshal
Mazharul Islam, psc
Air Vice Marshal
Nayeem Hassan
Air Commodore Md
Obaidur Rahman
 Air Officer Commanding, Air Commodore
BAF Base Zahurul Haq Humayun Kabir
Air Commodore M
Air Officer Commanding,
Anwarul Haque
BAF Base Matiur Rahman
Sardar
Air Officer Commanding,
Air Commodore
BAF Base
Anisur Rahman
Paharkanchanpur
Air Officer Commanding, Air Commodore
BAF Base Cox's Bazar Sheikh Abdul Hannan

Branches (officer)

Branches of Bangladesh Air Force are:

Administration and Special Duties

Air Traffic Control
Air Defence Weapons Control
Education and Training
Engineering
Finance
General Duty (Navigator)
General Duty (Pilot)
Legal
Logistics
Meteorology
 Trades (airmen)

Trades of Bangladesh Air Force are:

Aircraft Engineering
Electrical and Instrument Engineering
General Engineering
Mechanical Transport Fitter & Operator
Armament Engineering
Radio Engineering
Ground Signalling
Radar Operating
Life Saving Equipment
Photography
Air Traffic Control
Education
Cypher
Meteorological
Medical
Secretarial
Supply
General Service
Provost
Catering
Musician
Aircrew

Installations

BAF Headquarters is located in Dhaka Cantonment. There are numerous bases

set up all over the country. BAF Base Khademul Bashar Dhaka, BAF Base
Bangabandhu Dhaka, BAF Base Zahurul Haque Chittagong and BAF Base
Matiur Rahman Jessore are named after National as well as Air Force heroes.
Other major bases are BAF Base Pahar Kanchanpur Tangail and Forward
Operations Base at Cox's Bazar. There are also several independent units and
detachments in places like Moulavibazar Radar Unit (MRU), Bogra Radar Unit
(BRU), No. 74 Squadron Bangladesh Air Force at Chittagong & No.71 Squadron
Bangladesh Air Force at Dhaka & Shamshernagar.

Bangladesh Air Force Academy is the commissioned officer training academy

for all branches of Bangladesh Air Force. It is located at BAF Base Matiur
Rahman in Jessore.

Aircraft inventory

Main article: List of aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force

Number
Type of Aircraft of Unit Assignment Notes
Aircraft
Air Superiority 50 Squadrons: 8
Fighter / Interceptor 69[3] Squadrons: 5 & 35
Attack Aircraft 23 Squadrons: 21 To be retired in 2014
Also perform the role
Jet Fighter Conversion 16 Squadrons: 25
of Transport Trainer
Squadrons: 3 & 101st An-32 has dual
Transport Aircraft 7
Special Flying Unit transport/bomber role.
Attack helicopter 16[4] Squadrons:1 & 31
Helicopter 65 Squadrons:1, 9 & 31
Intermediate Jet 7 Squadrons: 15
Trainer
Also stationed in
Primary Fixed Wing
25+ Squadrons: 11,12 Bogra for Flying
Trainer
Instructor's School
Primary Rotary Wing
4 Squadrons: 18
Trainer

Future modernization program

The BAF has an ongoing modernization program that includes plans to

introduce 3-4 squadrons of 4.5 generation fighter aircraft. In Defence IQ 2011
International Fighter Aircraft Conference in London, Chief of air staff of the
Bangladesh Air Force (2007-2012), Air Marshal Shah Mohammad Ziaur
Rahman revealed Bangladesh Air Force's long-term procurement and
modernization plan. According to his statement, the aircraft that are being
evaluated are for the procurement are Mig-29SMT and Su-30MK2.[5] While the
Mig-29SMT and the Su-30MK2 are the primary aircraft under consideration,
the air force is also evaluating JAS 39 Gripen and Lockheed Martin F-16.[5]
The order should materialize within 5–10 years according to him.

On the mean time, one squadron of stop-gap light fighter Chengdu F-7BGI
have been delivered in 2013. These aircraft are based on the Chengdu J-7G in
service with PLAAF and are equipped with advanced avionics that includes
HOTAS Control, three MFD displays and a HUD. The aircraft is also equipped
with both air-to-air and GPS guided munitions.Three Mi-171SH attack
helicopters were also received in 2013.

Meanwhile, the existing MiG-29 fleet will also be upgraded to Mig-29SMT

standard for operational use for another 15–20 years.
Bangladesh Govt. is negotiating for a total of 24 Yakovlev Yak-130 Lead-in
fighter trainer and 5 Mi-171SH attack helicopters from Russia.[6]

Bangladesh is also negotiating with US government for the regeneration,

overhaul, modifications and logistics support for 4 off-the-shelf Lockheed
Martin C-130E, 20 engines and associated parts, equipment, and training for
an estimated cost of $180 million.[7]

UN mission deployment

More than 600+ BAF personnel, including officers and airmen, 10 BAF
helicopters and are currently deployed to various UN Missions. Another C-130
transport aircraft is providing support to UN Mission in Africa. With the
deployment of C-130 aircraft and its personnel, Bangladesh became the
largest troops contributing country in UN Peace Keeping Missions.

Guided weapons

Used
Name Version Type Notes
by
Infrared Guided
F-7MB,
PL-2 Air-to-air
A-5C
missile
Active Infrared
F-7MB,
PL-5 E Guided Air-to-
A-5C
air missile
PRC
Infrared Guided
F-7MB, version
PL-7 Air-to-air
A-5C of the
missile
French
 Matra
Magic
R.550
missile.
Infrared Guided
PL-9 C Air-to-air F-7BG
missile
Infrared Guided
(R-27T), Semi
Active Radar
Vympel
Guided (R-27R), MiG-29
R-27
and Active
Radar Guided
(R-27AE)
Infrared Guided
Vympel
Air-to-air MiG-29
R-73
missile
Beyond-visual-
Vympel range missile
MiG-29
R-77 Air-to-air
missile
F-7BG,
Laser Guided
LT-2 F-7MB,
Bomb
A-5C
F-7BG,
Satellite Guided
LS-6 F-7MB,
Bomb
A-5C
FM-90 Surface-to-air Ground BAF
 missile Based introduce
Air Ground
Defence Based Air
Defence

Markings

The basic dimensions of the Bangladesh Air Force badge, motto, ensign, and
roundel are similar to that of the Commonwealth nations. Their basic colours
are blue, green and red.

List of the Chiefs of Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force

Air Vice Marshal Abdul Karim Khandker

(10 April 1972 – 17 August 1975)
Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ghulam Tawab
(August 18th 1975–1977)
Air Vice Marshal Khademul Bashar
(1977–1977)
Air Vice Marshal Abdul Gafoor Mahmud
(1977–1978)
Air Vice Marshal Sadruddin Mohammad Hossain
(1978–1982)
Air Vice Marshal Sultan Mahmud
(1982–1987)
Air Vice Marshal Momtaz Uddin Ahmed
(1987–1991)
Air Vice Marshal Altaf Hossain Chowdhury
 (4 June 1991 – 3 June 1995)
Air Marshal Jamal Uddin Ahmed
(3 June 1995 – 4 June 2001)
Air Vice Marshal Rafiqul Islam
(4 June 2001 – 7 April 2002)
Air Vice Marshal Fakhrul Azam
(8 April 2002 – 7 April 2007)
Air Marshal Shah Mohammad Ziaur Rahman ndc, fawc, psc
(8 April 2007 – 12 June 2012)
Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari ndu, psc
(13 June 2012 – present )

See also

 Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre

 Bangladesh Army
 Bangladesh Navy