[🇧🇩-Airforce] MRCA Program of Bangladesh Air Force

[Saif]

Around 2017. I was chatting with a Bangladeshi friend. I would recommend Bangladesh to consider investing in SAC. Because SAC was in dire need of financial support at that time. It lost to CAC in the PLAAF bid. Almost all the money of the Air Force was invested in the CAC. At the time, SAC even sold some factories to save FC31. If Bangladesh can invest in SAC. In the future, it is possible to get the FC-31 at cost price.

But there is no "if". It's a pity

Are FC-31 and J-35A the same aircraft?

 

[Saif]

This means that Chinese mall in a majaboori.

We are used to using Chinese technology so it is only natural that we feel comfortable with Chinese aircraft like J-10. Besides, supply of spare parts is guaranteed.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

We are used to using Chinese technology so it is only natural that we feel comfortable with Chinese aircraft like J-10. Besides, supply of spare parts is guaranteed.

Feeling comfortable and being effective are different things.

 

[Sharma Ji]

How many do BD need/want ?

A single engine like a JF 17, F 16, Gripen fit the bill one would imagine.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

How many do BD need/want ?

A single engine like a JF 17, F 16, Gripen fit the bill one would imagine.

Gripen and F16 are costly.

 

[Sharma Ji]

Gripen and F16 are costly.

True, but what is their requirement ? How many are they looking at ?

1 squadron should be plenty enough, 15 - 20.

 

[Saif]

Feeling comfortable and being effective are different things.

J-10 is effective air platform. Pakistan has bought 25 units of J-10. The Egyptian air force is going ahead to sign a deal with China to procure large number of J-10 in near future. Iran is also in the race.

 

[Saif]

True, but what is their requirement ? How many are they looking at ?

1 squadron should be plenty enough, 15 - 20.

We are looking for inducting 3 squadron of J-10 to replace the F-7MB, F-7BG and F-7BGI. Initially we will replace F-7MB and the other versions of F-7S will be replaced within 2030. Right now BAF has the government authorization to operate 5 squadron aircrafts.

 

[Sharma Ji]

We are looking for inducting 3 squadron of J-10 to replace the F-7MB, F-7BG and F-7BGI. Initially we will replace F-7MB and the other versions of F-7S will be replaced within 2030. Right now BAF has the government authorization to operate 5 squadron aircrafts.

So roughly 60 odd fighters ? Isn't that overkill ?

Spend some on troop/cargo transport too, and some on rotary wing (particularly helpful vs insurgents in a dense jungle)

 

[Saif]

So roughly 60 odd fighters ? Isn't that overkill ?

Spend some on troop/cargo transport too, and some on rotary wing (particularly helpful vs insurgents in a dense jungle)

Actually we need more than 5 squadrons of aircraft to protect our air space from the Indian and Burmese air forces. BAF has committed adequate amount of money to procure transport planes and helicopters. Just recently BAF has bought 5 C-130 Hercules from the Royal air force. Also added quite a few Russian MI-17 helicopters to its fleet.