UKBengali
Elite Member
I did and don't agree with it.
BD is "close enough" to China and unless China thinks that BAF will hand examples over to India, then the sale will be approved.
No idea why BAF needs to buy J-10CE first before J-35A.
Bangladesh Air Force
- Thread starter LeonBlack08
- Start date
I did and don't agree with it.
BD is "close enough" to China and unless China thinks that BAF will hand examples over to India, then the sale will be approved.
No idea why BAF needs to buy J-10CE first before J-35A.
alphapak
Trusted Member
Türkiye is close enough to U.s plus they are part of NATO could they get the F35?
UAE are also close enough to U.S plus got the money but they couldn't get the F35.
Why would China give their latest tech to Bangladesh lol. Even if they do sell you
the J35A, you will still need the 4.5 gen jets. Even USA and China are still operating
4.5 gen jets.
Avicenna
Trusted Member
Lets try to walk before we run.
I am willing to bet BAF is so far gone that any jump to 5 gen is ridiculous.
Probably should start with basics and overhaul entire force.
Politics will dictate what platform is eventually acquired but 4.5 gen much better idea as of now. i.e. J-10C vs F-16V or a euro-canard.
Of more importance is to change the culture and improve recruitment and training.
I am willing to bet BAF is so far gone that any jump to 5 gen is ridiculous.
Probably should start with basics and overhaul entire force.
Politics will dictate what platform is eventually acquired but 4.5 gen much better idea as of now. i.e. J-10C vs F-16V or a euro-canard.
Of more importance is to change the culture and improve recruitment and training.
UKBengali
Elite Member
BAF will always be a generation behind then against neighbours.
You can be sure by 2030 the junta next door will get J-35A.
I don't understand this logic of you need 4th gen before 5th gen?
This is not like a course in mathematics where each course builds on the knowledge of another.
Yes it will take longer to operate fully than say PAF but so what? 18 to 24 months of extra simulator, jet trainer and tactical training is not much when you buy a fighter plane for 25-30 years.
BAF pilots can be taught by both China(manufacturer) and Pakistan(primary export customer and more experienced airforce).
The issue is not complexity but BD willingness to invest in the platform, infrastructure, associated systems and training to fully utilise a fighter like J-35A.
In theory you can equip a newly created country with zero aviation experience with F-22s and teach them over many years to operate the plane as well as USAF.
Anyway BD has operated 4th generation fighters for over 2 decades now and so technically it is not skipping a generation.
It can only afford small numbers(~100) of fighters and so should go for the best it can buy.
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Avicenna
Trusted Member
It’s a massive chasm between the state of the BAF now and the introduction of 5 gen and the ability to utilize it fully.
It will take years to “get up to speed”.
Also in the present, air arms like the USAF and IAF are actively procuring 4.5 gen in addition to 5.
For BD perhaps 4.5 gen in some decent numbers can serve as a springboard to 5 gen in time.
But time is ticking. Something needs to be done relatively fast.
Michael Corleone
Elite Member
They’re making best guess and tbh they might not be far off. Previously I think Sherniabat sir attended air show and Abu Esrar attended Farborough intending a purchase
Michael Corleone
Elite Member
4th gen won’t be obsolete imho. Open architecture makes sure those jets stay relevant and stealth is a high maintenance platform whose effectiveness is also debatable. Leap between 4th and 6th will be greater than between 4 to 5 or 5 to 6
Michael Corleone
Elite Member
You know bro for many reasons China will not give j35 to us before Pakistan and Burma…
1. Main reason is we snubbed them with India during Hasina reigns and now with Dr. Yunus we are snubbing them again.
Michael Corleone
Elite Member
I would like to think the training is somewhat decent but organizational management is extremely poor from what I heard happened during awami league times.
We really need an overhaul in training with PAF. They’re the best airforce of this region. Even Chinese Air Force learns from PAF
mb444
Registered Member
I would put it down to what we can afford…. J10c at most $50m a piece will cost $800m and with infrastructure and armaments around a $1b or less.
This is doable…. J35 at probably $110m minimum a piece let’s say on a $1b budget gets us half the numbers.
You need quantity as well as quality. BAF probably thinking quantity.
Ask me if I had $1b budget I would use it to build up a sizeable force of home grown armoured drones and missiles.
BAFs a lost cause needing modernisation from ground up. Stop gap measures no longer means anything. Helios almost obsolete in face of drones and I won’t bother.
But this is all mute. If the interim govt purchases jets it is almost assuredly going to be second hand F16… problem there are none available…. Next possibility is EFT tranche 2…. BAF was discussing this with UK as late February/march this year… some EFT tranche 2 is being retired as we speak as RAF accelerate F35 induction.
The cost of EFT however likely to cost the most at probably $65-70m a piece, F16 probably $55-$60m a piece.
It is probably time for BAF to have some western Jet and the what better to get on trumps good book than buying US…
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mb444
Registered Member
Under BAL BAF training and organisation was fine. BAF did not fall apart.
But as an organisation it was rudderless, it did not have much support with the political leadership and it did not have much clout against BA or BN. Its war fighting hardware was a joke so it concentrated on logistics and support capabilities to support UN missions. In these they excelled.
BAF has capable people in it but they are demotivated. Without capital investment this is not going to change.
UKBengali
Elite Member
Those two are vastly larger airforces and they have a *need* of both 4.5 and 5th generation fighters. BAF not really, who needs to focus on 1-2 fighter types.
I would not mind if BAF could get hold of 1-2 dozen of 1990s era refurbished F-16s that the USAF are retiring now as they replace them with F-35As. Not sure whether this could happen with Trump coming back into the White House with Hinduvta whispering in their ears but who knows what may happen if BD just asks.
15-20 millions US dollars a piece for these F-16s with 10-15 years service life still in them would be excellent and ideal for BD. US will probably only release AIM-120C7 at most but that is ample for BD's immediate needs against MAF, at least till they get hold of J-35A.
These planes would also be an excellent stepping stone for hopeful KAAN induction in the mid to late 2030s as both are from Nato countries and so would be compatible with force mutlipliers like AWACS.
BAF needs to start planning for a brand new fighter fleet around J-35A and KAAN as soon as possible. Start thinking about trainers, compatible AWACs etc now as some of them need to come before the fighters themselves.
Really? But how likely is it since this here is IMO more a fan-boy!
Honestly, since IDRW is reporting it, so it can only be wrong!
Strider
Elite Member
The Chinese do not have the confidence to offer us the J-35 or any fifth generation fighter for that matter as of now. Our reputation as a trusted partner is not that great which is in big part thanks to the AL and their lackies. Money is also a factor.
I don't know about Dr. Yunus. The man is too exceptional.
Strider
Elite Member
Merely speculation. But yes, we are actively looking for a 4th gen fighter to replace our aging F-7s. There are potential candidates. Which will be selected is a wildcard game. Whichever is selected will determine the path BD will go.
Oh we know Indian media are highly reputed!
