BD Air force will be more stronger .............. PM promise

Bangladesh Air Force to modernize the strategic direction of the building as a powerful force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed.

Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday at a ceremony at the Air Force Base Bashar said suffix. Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft L -410 inclusion of transport was organized on the occasion.

The Prime Minister said, Bangladesh Air Force members of the Awami League government has always attached special importance to the welfare and development of the force. Of development has always been and will continue. "

She said, "We are the golden jubilee of independence, modernization of Air Force also has a very strong strategic direction, will be able to build strong and effective force."

The new aircraft, PM said, "Today is a continuation of the development of the Air Force is going to be added to the fleet of training aircraft to transport 3 L -410. The transport baimanikara PT -6 -37 aircraft to fly the plane to complete the flight training. The transport aircraft training, which was very expensive. L -410 on the inclusion of the cost will be reduced.

Spelling out her government's stride for further strengthening and modernising Bangladesh Air Force, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed firm optimism that Bangladesh would build fighter planes in future.

"I hope that we would be able to build fighter planes in our own initiative in future Insha Allah," she told the induction ceremony of L-410 Transport Trainer Aircraft at BAF Base Bashar at Tejgaon in the capital this morning.

The Prime Minister mentioned that a YAK-130 Advanced Jet Trainer and a Mi-171SH helicopter are being inducted in Bangladesh Air Force soon under a loan protocol from Russia.

She said the government earlier bought three Mi-171SH helicopters from Russia and recently completed the process of induction of four more such choppers under the loan protocol from the same country.

Sheikh Hasina said purchasing one Mi-171E helicopter from Russia is under process, while two Agusta Westland helicopters are being added to make more dynamic the Maritime Search and Rescue.

She said the Awami League government always gave special importance to the development of Bangladesh Air Force and welfare of the members of the force and this trend of development would continue.

"We would be able to build Bangladesh Air Force as a strong and effective force strategically in the golden jubilee of the country's independence through its further modernisation Insha Allah," she said.

On her arrival at the venue, the Prime Minister was given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Air Force.

Sheikh Hasina took salute and handed over the "Induction Order" to Wing Commander Rashed Ahmed Siddique.

Later, the Prime Minister cut a cake on the occasion of the induction
of three L-410 Transport Trainer Aircraft made by Czech Republic. She also boarded one of the aircraft and visited its different sections.

PM's Political Affairs Advisor HT Imam, Security Advisor Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral M Farid Habib, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Mohammad Enamul Bari, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Defence Major General (retd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan, former minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, MP, and former state minister Mahbubur Rahman, MP, and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

Earlier on her arrival at BAF Base, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Mohammad Enamul Bari and Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Bashar, Air Vice Marshal M Naim Hasan.

The Prime Minister said the government has established a full-fledged air base and Air Defence Radar in Cox's Bazar as it is essential to watch air space of the exclusive economic zone round-the-clock.

Sheikh Hasina said a high-powered Radar has been set up at Air Base Paharkanchanpur and different training aircraft with digital cockpit are being purchased to ensure a time-befitting training system.

"Earlier, we procured PT- 6 Primary Training Aircraft and K-8W Jet Training Aircraft for Bangladesh Air Force," she said.

Terming members of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) as the vanguards of the country's air space and friends of the people in facing natural disasters, the Prime Minister called upon them to be attentive to training and exercise being imbued with the mantra of highest patriotism and discipline.

"There is no alternative to hard work, professional efficiency and honesty in any disciplined force like the BAF. So, you will have to give more focus on training and exercise being imbued with the mantra of highest patriotism and discipline," she said.

She reminded the BAF members that their spirited movement as well-trained, professional and courageous pilots in the air space in Bangladesh and international arena demonstrates identity of the national excellence.

The Prime Minister hoped that as successors of many heroes like Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman and Shaheed Sergeant Jahurul Haque, the BAF members would enhance their reputation and dignity in the coming days.

Sheikh Hasina hoped that through induction of three new aircraft today, the overall transportation capability of the Air Force along side conducting rescue operation, patrolling, surveying through the air ways and para trooping would reach to the world class.

She also hoped that the BAF members would be highest careful in flying and maintenance of the precious L-410 aircraft that were procured by the hard-earned money of the people.

The Prime Minister said her government during 1996-2001 tenure implemented massive programmes for the development of the force. "In 2000, the fourth generation most modern MiG-29 fighter planes, wide-bodied C-130 transport planes and high-powered Air Defence Radar System were inducted in the Air Force," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said after assuming office in 2009, the Awami League government took necessary initiatives for building the Air Force as a strong, efficient and modern force.

"F-7BG1 fighter planes have already been inducted, while Surface to Air Missile has been added to the Air Force for the first time to strengthen the country's air defence system," she said.

The Prime Minister said Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre has been established for smooth, secure and cost-effective maintenance of all types of aircraft, Radar and other equipment

Referring to setting up Maintenance, Repairing and Overhauling (MRO) Plant in the country, the Prime Minister said overhauling of the F-7 fighter planes has already begun there.

She said the construction work of the MRO unit for Mi Series helicopter overhauling is nearing completion.

She expressed firm optimism that these establishments would play significant role in earning self dependency of the Air Force, while a new sector would be opened to earn foreign currency through overhauling of foreign aircraft and helicopters there.

Expressing her full confidence in the pilots of the BAF, Sheikh Hasina said they are in no way lagging behind in terms of their standard and efficiency as Bangladesh has very strong infrastructural foundation for providing them with proper training.

The Prime Minister said the armed forces of the country have now become a symbol of confidence of the countrymen and the number of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in the UN Peacekeeping Mission is now the highest.

At present, contingents of Bangladesh Air Force are actively accomplishing responsibilities at the UN Mission in Congo and Mali, she said, adding another contingent of the force with 110 members and three helicopters is going to Haiti to serve the UN Mission.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said her government is very much active to ensure more participation and representation of the Bangladesh Air Force in the UN Peacekeeping Mission.

Talking about the role of the Air Force in facing disasters, she said they brightened country's reputation in the world arena by going beyond the border in terms of responding in the fastest possible time to conduct rescue and relief operations.