TheBangladesh Air Force (BAF) (Bengali:বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী,romanized: Bāṅlādēś Bimān Bāhinī) is theaerial warfare branch of theBangladesh Armed Forces. The air force is primarily responsible for air defence of Bangladesh's sovereign territory as well as providing air support to theBangladesh Army andBangladesh Navy. Furthermore, the BAF has a territorial role in providing tactical and strategic air transport and logistics capability for the country.[8]
Since its establishment on 28 September 1971, the Bangladesh Air Force has been involved in various combat[9] and humanitarian operations, from theBangladesh Liberation War in which it was born, to support international efforts includingUnited Nations peacekeeping missions.Operation Kilo Flight was a famous operation conducted by the Bangladesh Air Force during the Bangladesh Liberation War.[9]
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The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was officially formed on 28 September 1971 during theBangladesh Liberation War, and consisted of revolting Bengali officers and airmen who defected from thePakistan Air Force atDimapur Airport in the Indian state ofNagaland.[10] It was launched formally by flying three repaired vintage aircraft on 8 October 1971.[11] BAF's initial personnel were around a 1,000 Bengali members of the Pakistan Air Force, who were stationed in East Pakistan at the outbreak of the war and who defected to theBangladeshi side.[11] At that time, the embryo of the BAF was formed with less than a hundred officers and around 900 airmen. These numbers were gradually strengthened by the slow but steady defection from among the around 3,000 Bengali officers and airmen stationed and grounded in West Pakistan. By the first week of December, a total of 700 Bengali officers and airmen had defected from the Western border. A significant number of BAF personnel participated in the Ground Warfare roles in the conflict.[12] During the war, initially, officers of the BAF attached to the then Bangladesh Government were Chief Representative to Chakulia Guerrilla Training CampSquadron LeaderM. Hamidullah Khan, GroupCaptain A. K. Khandekar, DCOS Army(Liaison) later Sub-Sector Commander and as Commander - Sector 11, Flight Lieutenant Liaqat as Battalion Adjutant,Flying Officer Rouf, Flying Officer Ashraf andFlight Sergeant Shafiqullah as company commanders. Squadron Leader Sadruddin Hossain, Squadron Leader Wahidur Rahim, Squadron Leader Nurul Qader, Squadron Leader Shamsur Rahman and Squadron Leader Ataur Rahman as sub sector company commanders. Squadron LeaderKhademul Bashar participated in the war as Commander-Sector 6.[13]
Indian civilian authorities and the IAF donated 1DC-3 Dakota (gifted by the Maharaja ofJodhpor), 1Twin Otter plane, and 1Alouette III helicopter for the new-born Bangladesh Air Force.[14][10] The Bengali rank and file fixed up the World War II vintagerunway atDimapur Airport, then began rigging the aircraft for combat duty. The Dakota was modified to carry 500 pound bombs, but for technical reasons, it was only used to ferry Bangladesh government personnel. The Alouette III helicopter was rigged to fire 14 rockets from pylons attached to its side and had .303 Browning machine guns installed, in addition to having 1-inch (25 mm) steel plate welded to its floor for extra protection. The Twin Otter boasted 7 rockets under each of its wings and could deliver ten 25 pound bombs, which were rolled out of the aircraft by hand through a makeshift door. This tiny force was dubbedKilo Flight, the first fighting formation of the nascent Bangladesh Air Force. Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud was appointed as the commander of the 'Kilo Flight'.[15][16]
Bangladesh Air Force first went in action on 3 December 1971, at the start of theIndo-Pakistani War of 1971, and attacked the Chattogram-based oil tank depot and oil tank depot was totally destroyed by that air attack. The air attack was conducted by Capt. Akram Ahmed.[17] The second Bangladesh Air Force attack was on 6 December 1971 at Moulvibazar Pakistani Army barracks under the command of Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud, where Captain Shahabuddin Ahmed was co-pilot.[17]
After thesurrender of Pakistan, all personnel reported toBangladesh Forces commander-in-chief, Col.M. A. G. Osmani. On 7 April 1972, the post of the chief of air staff went into effect by order of thePresident of Bangladesh. The combined command of Bangladesh Forces had been abolished with effect from 7 April 1972 and replaced by three separate commands for the three services with acting chiefs of staff. The Bangladesh Air Force gradually began to reoccupy and reform all the airbase structures throughout the country, HQ administrative buildings, fuel and weapons depots.[18]
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After independence, in November–December 1972, the BAF received a significant donation from the formerUSSR. Among the aircraft delivered were ten single-seatMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MFs, two twin-seat Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21UMs, and twelveMil Mi-8 utility helicopters. Later on, China also supplied some equipment.[19]Apart from the aircraft of Kilo Flight, which were donated by India, most Pakistan Air Force aircraft grounded inDhaka due to runway cratering by theIndian Air Force during the liberation war, were sabotaged before surrender. Of these, fourCanadair Sabres were also returned to service by Bangladeshi ground technicians in 1972. The Pakistan Air Force prior to 1971 had manyBengali pilots, air traffic controllers, technicians and administrative officers and the general Bengali representation in the Pakistan Air Force was around 15% (and 18% in the officer ranks) of the 25,000 odd manpower of the Pakistan Air Force in 1971, which although lower than their share in the population (50%) was much higher than the 6% numbers in the Army. Many of them distinguished themselves during the Bangladesh Liberation War, they provided the nascent Bangladesh Air Force with a good number of trained personnel. It had grown with the repatriation of the around 2,000 Air Force personnel from Pakistan in 1973 after theSimla Agreement.[11]
In 1977, some personnel of Bangladesh Air Force, led by Sergeant Afsar,[20]attempted to stage a coup, which resulted in the deaths of 11 air force officers.[21] After the mutiny was put down by the then Provost marshal Wing Commander M. Hamidullah Khan, TJ, SH, BP, President Ziaur Rahman even considered disbanding the Bangladesh Air Force, in favour of anarmy aviation wing.[21] However, this plan did not go ahead. President Ziaur Rahman placed Hamidullah in charge of Command and Communication Control at the old Parliamentary building, present dayPrime Minister's office. Hamidullah reorganized the Forces intelligence to directorate general level under the authority of the President. HenceDGFI was born.
Defence co-operation improved with Pakistan considerably under the government ofZiaur Rahman and the military regime ofHussain Muhammad Ershad in Bangladesh, which had grown more distant from its wartime ally India. Common concerns over India's regional meddling have influenced strategic co-operation leading to a gift of several squadrons of refurbishedShenyang F-6 fighter aircraft from Pakistan to the Bangladesh Air Force in the late 1980s.[14] Bangladesh bought 8 MiG-29s from Russia in 1999 under Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina.[22]
The Bangladesh Air Force Academy (BAFA) receivedNational Colours in 2003 from the then-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The Recruits' Training School (RTS) was awarded withBAF Colours by ex-Chief of Air Staff (AVMFakhrul Azam) in 2004. In 2017, the Bangladesh Air Force was awarded theIndependence Day Award.[23]
The Bangladesh Air Force was active during theCOVID-19 pandemic. The BAF provided emergencymedivac for many criticalCOVID-19 patients with their helicopters. BAF also evacuated immigrants and migrant workers, and airlifted tons of relief materials for home and abroad with theirC-130B andC-130J cargo aircraft.[24][25]
The Bangladesh Air Force has an ambitious modernisation plan to be implemented in upcoming years underForces Goal 2030. As per the goal, air force is to be a strong deterrent force to well protect the sky of Bangladesh. Plans are made to strengthen both air power and land based air defence capabilities. Since the formulation of the forces goal 2030, the BAF has developed in many folds.[26]
The Bangladesh Air Force has set up an advanced training unit named105 Advance Jet Training Unit which is a dedicated fighter pilot training unit of BAF. The unit consists of three training squadrons which will provide advanced training to the pilots selected for operating the fighter jets.[27]
Since 2010, the BAF has taken the delivery of sixteenChengdu F-7BGI fighter aircraft, sixteenYakovlev Yak-130 advanced jet trainers, twoC-130J transport aircraft,[citation needed] nineK-8W jet trainer aircraft, threeLet L-410 Turbolet transport trainer aircraft[28] and twenty threeCJ-6 basic trainers.[29] Process is going on for the procurement of sixteen multirole combat aircraft.[30]
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The BAF has also taken the delivery of 21Mi-171Sh combat transport helicopters, fourAgustaWestland AW139 maritime SAR helicopters and twoAW 119KX training helicopters since 2010. The procurement process for eight attack helicopters is ongoing.[30]
The BAF gained surface-to-air missile capability by introducingFM-90 short-range air defence missiles in 2011.[31][unreliable source?] To date, BAF has taken delivery of two regiments of FM-90 systems. The BAF received an Italian long-rangeSelex RAT-31DL air defence radar in 2019.[32]
Bangladesh has signed a government-to-government contract with the United Kingdom for the supply of two off-the-shelf C-130J aircraft currently in service with theRoyal Air Force.[33] In June 2019, another contract was signed for the procurement of an additional three off-the-shelf C-130J aircraft from the UK.[34] As of September 2020, three of the aircraft have been delivered.[35]
On 20 June 2018, the Bangladesh Air Force signed a contract withChina National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for the procurement of seven K-8jet training aircraft.[36][37]On 15 October 2020, BAF received these seven K-8 jet trainers.[38]
More than 600+ BAF personnel, including officers and airmen, and 10 BAF helicopters are currently deployed to various UN missions. Another C-130 transport aircraft is providing support to a UN mission in Africa. With the deployment of C-130 aircraft and its personnel, Bangladesh became the largest troop-contributing country on UN peacekeeping missions.[39]
![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding to it.(September 2024) |
Bangladesh Air Force is headed by anair officer and he is in the rank of air chief marshal. In 1972, this chief of air staff which is abbreviated as coas was created (in April 1972), and the first air chief wasA. K. Khandker[40] whose rank was air vice marshal, all air chiefs tillFakhrul Azam[41] (served as air chief from 2002 to 2007) was air vice marshals,Shah Mohammad Ziaur Rahman was the first air chief who served in this post in the rank of air marshal from 2007 to 2012.Abu Esrar (served as air chief from 2015 to 2018) was the first person who served as air chief in the rank of air chief marshal and since him all air chiefs are air chief marshals.
According to theConstitution of Bangladesh, the President of Bangladesh acts as the civilian commander-in-chief, and theChief of Air Staff (COAS), by statute a four-starair officer (air chief marshal),[42] commands the Air Force.[43][44][45] The Bangladesh Air Force is currently commanded byAir Chief MarshalHasan Mahmood Khan.[46][47][48]The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has its headquarters at Dhaka Cantonment. HQ has 4 branches: Operations & Training (Ops. & Trng.), Administration (Admin.), Maintenance (Mte.) and Plannings (Plans).[49] 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 air commodore rank. Under each director, there are deputy directors (DD) headed by group captain and staff officers (SO) with the rank of wing commander and below.[citation needed]
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| Shoulder | Appointment | Rank & Name | Star Plate |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Chief of Air Staff | Air Chief MarshalMahmood Khan, BBP, OSP, GUP, |  |
 | Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) | Air Vice MarshalJaved Tanveer Khan BSP, OSP |  |
| Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Administration) | Air Vice Marshal Rushad Din Asad, BPP | |
| Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Planning) | Air Vice Marshal Sharif Uddin Sarkar, GUP | |
| Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Maintenance) | Air Vice Marshal Tariqul Islam | |
| Air Officer Commanding,BAF Base Khademul Bashar | Air Vice Marshal Syed Sayeedur Rahman, BUP | |
| Air Officer Commanding,BAF Base Bir Uttom A. K. Khandker | Air Vice Marshal Khair Ul Afsar, GUP | |
| Air Officer Commanding,BAF Base Zahurul Haq | Air Vice Marshal Haider Abdullah, GUP | |
| Air Officer Commanding,BAF Base Matiur Rahman | Air Vice Marshal Md Shafiqul Islam, BUP | |
| Air Officer Commanding,BAF Base Cox's Bazar | Air Vice Marshal A. F. M. Shamimul Islam, BSP, GUP | |
| Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Bir Uttam Sultan Mahmud | Vacant | |
Branches of officers of Bangladesh Air Force are:
Trade groups of airmen are as follows:[50]
| Squadron No | Insignia | Names/Motto | Air Froce Base | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | "The Pioneers" | BAF Base Zahurul Haq | (MI-17, MI-171,) SAR unit (AW-139, Bell-212) |
| 3 |  | "The Unicorns" | BAF Base Zahurul Haq | Antonov AN-32B |
| 5 |  | "Supersonic Defenders" | BAF Base Bir Uttom A. K. Khandker | (F-7BG, FT-7BG) |
| 8 |  | "Vigilance Valour Victory" | BAF Base Bir Uttom A. K. Khandker | (MIG-29B, MIG-29 UB) |
| 9 |  | "The Scorpions" | BAF Base Khademul Bashar | Bell 212 |
| 11 |  | "উদয়ের পথে নির্ভীক" | BAF Base Matiur Rahman | PT-6 |
| 12 |  | "নীলিমায় দূর্বার" | BAF Base Matiur Rahman | Grob G 120 |
| 15 |  | "Dauntless in the Horizon" | BAF Base Cox's Bazar | K-8W |
| 18 |  | "Rotary wing trainers" | BAF Base Matiur Rahman | Bell-206 L-2 |
| 21 |  | "The Avengers" | BAF Base Zahurul Haq | Yak-130 |
| 25 |  | "The Trendsetters" | BAF Base Zahurul Haq | (F-7MB, FT-7MB) |
| 31 |  | "Beyond the call of Duty" | BAF Base Khademul Bashar | MI-171 SH |
| 35 |  | "The Thundercats" | BAF Base Bir Uttom A. K. Khandker | (F-7BGI, FT-7BGI) |
| 101 |  | "Excellence & Beyond" | BAF Base Khademul Bashar | (C-130B, MI-171E) |
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bangladesh Air Force[53] | |  | |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
| এয়ার চিফ মার্শাল Ēẏār chiph mārśāl | এয়ার মার্শাল Ēẏār mārśāl | এয়ার ভাইস মার্শাল Ēẏār bhā'is mārśāl | এয়ার কমোডোর Ēẏār kômōḍōr | গ্রুপ ক্যাপ্টেন Grup kaepṭēn | উইং কমান্ডার U'iṁ kômānḍār | স্কোয়াড্রন লীডার Skōẏāḍran līḍār | ফ্লাইট লেফটেন্যান্ট Phlā'iṭ lēphṭēnānṭ | ফ্লাইং অফিসার Phlā'iṁ ôphisār | পাইলট অফিসার Pā'ilôṭ Ôphisār | |||||||||||||||
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh Air Force[54] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| মাস্টার ওয়ারেন্ট অফিসার Māsṭār ōẏārēnṭ ôphisār | সিনিয়র ওয়ারেন্ট অফিসার Siniẏar ōẏārēnṭ ôphisār | ওয়ারেন্ট অফিসার Ōẏārēnṭ ôphisār | সার্জেন্ট Sārjēnṭ | কর্পোর্যাল Kôrpōral | লীডিং এয়ারক্র্যাফটম্যান Līḍing ēẏārkrāphṭmaen | এয়ারক্র্যাফটম্যান-১ Ēẏārkrāphṭmaen-1 | এয়ারক্র্যাফটম্যান-২ Ēẏārkrāphṭmaen-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Name | Origin | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air-to-air missile | |||
| R-27R1 | Ukraine | Beyond-visual medium-range missile | [32] |
| R-73E | Russia | Short-range air-to-air missile | [32] |
| PL-5EII | China | Short-range air-to-air missile | [65] |
| PL-7 | China | Short-range air-to-air missile | [32] |
| PL-9C | China | Short-range air-to-air missile | [32] |
| Aerial bomb | |||
| Mark 81 | United States | General-Purpose bomb | [66] |
| Kab-500kr | Russia | TV Guided Bomb | [67] |
| LS-6 | China | GPS Guided Bomb | [68] |
| Teber-81 | Turkey | Laser Guided Bomb | |
| Air-launched rocket | |||
| S-24 | Russia | Air-Launched Rocket | |
| S-8[70] | Russia | Air-Launched Rocket | |
| Anti-surface | |||
| Roketsan Cirit | Turkey | Air-to-surface missile,anti-armor andanti-personnel missile | Used onSelex ES Falco[71] |
| Name | Origin | Type | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAM | ||||||
| QW-2 | China | MANPADS | 250 | |||
| FN-6 | China | MANPADS | 50[72] | |||
| FM-90 | China | SAM | 36 | |||
| Name | Origin | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GM 403M | France | 3DAESAair search radar | 2 systems deployed inDhaka andBogra.[73][74][75] |
| Selex RAT-31DL | Italy | 3D Solid state phased arrayair search radar | 1 fixed installation inBarisal.[76] |
| KRONOS LAND[1] | Italy | AESAmultifunctional radar | 1 mobile system.[71][77][78] |
| JH-16 | China | Air search radar | [79] |
| JY-11B[2] | China | 3Dair search radar | [79] |
| YLC-6 | China | 2Dair search radar | At least 1 mobile system deployed inCox's Bazar.[80][81][79] |
| Plessey AR15[3]Archived 22 September 2020 at theWayback Machine | United Kingdom | Air search radar | [79] |
| RL-64I[4][79] | Czech Republic | S-BandAirport surveillance radar(ASR) | |
| RP-5GI[5][79] | Czech Republic | Precision approach radar(PAR) | |
| 1L-117[6] | Russia | 3DAir Search Radar | 2 (status uncertain).[71] |
| AN/TPS-43 | United States | 3DAir Search Radar | 4 (status uncertain).[71] |
The BAF has an ongoing modernisation programme,Forces Goal 2030. To perform its increasing duties and responsibilities, the air force is being divided into two separate commands: Southern and Northern. A new airbase is being set up under Southern Command atBarishal with an emphasis on maritime security.[29] Another airbase is under construction atSylhet.[82]
On 2 March 2017,Sheikh Hasina led previous Bangladesh government floated a closed tender for eight fighters.[83] The tender issued byDirectorate General of Defence Purchase (DGDP) was controversial from the beginning as oppositionBangladesh Nationalist Party accused governmentAwami League of using Indian funding to buy obsolete aircraft from Russia.[84][85] MiG-35 was one of the contenders,[84] along withSukhoi Su-30[86] fighter with European origin AESA radar. The Bangladesh government allocated almost $400 million for the procurement.[83] Russia has negotiated with Bangladesh for a year for the sale of MiG-35.[87] Bangladesh government has terminated the tender due to funding shortage,[88] order placement for Su-30 by Myanmar Air Force in 2018,[89] and lack of interest by Russia's manufacturer to integrate European AESA radar into MIL-STD-1553 bus of the MiG-35 or the Su-30.[90] ItalianElettronica SPA is also unable to work with any Russian company to fulfill Bangladesh's requirements due to internationalsanctions on Russia.[91] In the third Bangladesh-UK strategic dialogue held in May 2019, the two countries desired to further strengthen the defence ties between them. The United Kingdom expressed its readiness to support Bangladesh with the procurement of high-calibre multi-role combat aircraft alongside other modernisation programmes.[92]
In January 2020,Anisul Huq, the previous minister responsible for defence affairs in the parliament at that time, told the parliament that the process is ongoing to procure 16 multirole combat aircraft, eight attack helicopters, three VVIP helicopters, two air defence radar units, 24 primary trainer aircraft, two light aircraft, one K-8W simulator, four MRAP vehicles, one AW-119 simulator, 2 counter drone surveillance radar system and one mobile ATC tower and a life extension and upgrade of its MiG-29 aircraft.[30]In 2021, Bangladesh Air Force requested the Bangladesh Government to earmark around 25,200-crorestaka (2.5 billion euro) for 16 Western-originmultirole fighter jets.[93] In order to sign the agreement and for the first installment council, the Bangladesh Air Force requested the allocation of 6,300-crores taka for the 2021–22 financial year.[93] In 2021, Eurofighter World Magazine reported Bangladesh as a potential customer for theEurofighter Typhoon.[94] However, even after the announcement, the previous government did not order multirole combat aircraft or attack helicopters in the next three years. The government collapsed and Sheikh Hasina fled toIndia on 5 August 2024 due to theJuly Revolution in Bangladesh.
In 28 October 2024, Bangladeshnew interim government'sChief AdviserMuhammad Yunus's presswing clarifies that no deal with France forDassault Rafale fighter signed yet and not received any official request from France yet to revive the negotiations that stopped after the 2019'sCOVID-19 pandemic. No formal attempt has been made since then to review the arrangement.[95][96] At the end of 2024, it is reported that China'sChengdu J-10 fighters are reportedly being considered to order by the Bangladesh government to replace Bangladesh Air Force's aging fighter aircraft.[97] On January 15, 2025, a high-level defense delegation from Bangladesh visited Pakistan. On the visit Bangladesh also showed interest to acquireJF-17 Block 3.[98] After showing interest, the new interim government also stopped commenting about the procurement of any multirole fighter aircraft. Bangladeshi media reports accuse Indian pressure and IndianRAW agents inside the Bangladesh military and government bureaucracy as the reason behind the long delays in the procurement of the multirole fighter aircraft.[99] New media reports mentioned that the Bangladesh Air Force is now planned to purchase 20Chengdu J-10CE, 10Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3 and 16JF-17 Block 3 fighters.[100][101] However, the Bangladesh Air Force did not confirm procurement of any of the models yet.[102]
In October 2019, US officials said Bangladesh requested to purchase advanced military equipment from the United States, including multi-role combat fighters, attack helicopters and surface-to-air missile systems.[103] The US offered the Bangladesh Air Force two types of attack helicopters, and the BAF opted for theAH-64 Apache.[103] In January 2020,Boeing confirmed that the AH-64E attack helicopter was down-selected by the BAF after a competitive bidding process.[104] Any purchase of AH-64 Apache helicopters depends on Bangladesh and the United States signingAcquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) andGeneral Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) agreements. However, in late December 2021, it was reported that Bangladesh was now finalizing a government-to-government (G2G) deal with Russia to buy 8Mi-28NEs with the necessary equipment, along with operations and maintenance training.[105] As of 2025, similar to the multi role combat aircraft procurment delays, the Bangladesh Air Force unable to sign any deal for the attack helicopter. New media reports mentioned that the Bangladesh Air Force is now planned to purchase 6T129 ATAK attack helicopter fromTurkey.[101] However, the Bangladesh Air Force did not confirm the procurement yet.[102]
On 29 October 2019, the Italian company Leonardo announced that it secured a contract to supplyKronos Land 3DAESA radar systems to the Bangladesh Air Force to provide air surveillance and detect and track targets in tactical environments. The number of radars ordered were not disclosed.[106]
In June 2021, the Bangladesh Air Force revealed an order for 24Grob G 120TPtrainer aircraft. According toMasihuzzaman Serniabat, the previousCOAS, the Bangladesh Air Force ordered 24 trainer aircraft fromGrob.[107] Under the deal, Grob Aircraft will also install a composite material (fiberglass reinforced plastic andcarbon fibre composites) repair workshop and a propeller repair workshop in Bangladesh.[107]
Five ex-RAF 'short-bodied' C-130Js were ordered in two batches in 2018 and 2019 to replace Bangladesh's ageing, second-hand C-130Bs. The first aircraft was delivered in August 2019. They will be used to transport troops and equipment both home and abroad, as well as provide humanitarian assistance and support UN peacekeeping missions. The fourth aircraft landed at the Dhaka Airbase in Dhaka on 20 February 2023.[108]
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