Bangladesh military officials express interest in JF-17 Thunder fighter jet

[Ak01]

I would say 80-100 between now and 2040.

Like I have said many times before that should be split equally between China(J-35A) in the late 2020s to mid-2030s and KAAN(mid 2030s to 2040).

BAF has no no need for a "work horse" as it is not a 300 fighter air force like Pakistan or Turkey.

this is hilarious.

In 15 years, you dream about going from basic, effectively 3rd gen platforms, to the cutting edge of aerospace technologies available for export customers?

Do you know how much training, infrastructure, tactics, facilties etc development it would take to induct ONE squadron of FGFAs let alone the 8 you dream of?

You want to go from operating F-7s as interceptors to throwing pilots in the most advanced aircraft with sensors never seen before in the region?

Even your idea of a few super high performance fighters to deter India is silly. You wont deter India in any case, you could be equipped with 3 squadrons of NGAD and the Indians still would not be deterred.

You need workhorse platforms which can keep your SLOCs open, clearly BD agrees due to the integration of AShMs into the 29's. You need something to keep myanmar at bay and lastly something for ground attack, A2A against India is a mission lost before its even begun. The JF-17 atleast can be replaced at great speed and have crews trained well on.

 

[UKBengali]

You need less advanced platforms for day to day operations, training, air policing, selection of pilots, basically as selection filter for more complex airplanes. No air force is consisted only from most advanced platforms, actually it is opposite in reality, so JF-17 is not bad choice for BAF as some sort of nucleus for further expanding capabilities in distant future.

If there was a *need* for more 4th generation planes, then BAF may as well buy an additional 8-16 Mig-29s to take its Mig-29 fleet to 16-24. It already operates 8 upgraded Mig-29s that can fire the radar-guided R-77.


It has already the maintenance and operational infrastructure for Mig-29s and so why move to a small force of JF-17, even JF-17 block 3 models as upgraded Mig-29s would be equivalent planes when both aerodynamic factors and radar/electronics/missiles are taken into account.


And BAF can buy advanced jet trainers like Hurjet to prepare pilots for platforms like J-35A and KAAN.

 

[Cookie Monster]

I think this is BAF/BD trolling India.

The big advantage of purchasing JF-17 Block 3 would be to see PAF and BAF operating the same aircraft and training with each other, which could cause more heartburn in Modi-land.

Seriously as @Ali_Baba said earlier, it would be fantastic to see PAF and BAF pilots training with each other.

J-35A and KAAN are both coming to PAF and BAF in time I am sure and so there will be a lot of mutual defence co-operation between Pakistan and BD. India will just have to suck it up.

I had met another respected Bangladeshi American member @Avicenna in person…
…this was a long while back…during the times of old PDF and back when Hasina was in power.

Our conversation naturally ended up revolving around how Hasina is basically willingly being India’s puppet…and that prevents BD from charting its own course independently. For BD to step out of India’s sphere of influence and be able to make its own decisions(rather than being bullied or controlled by India)…in terms of its water, land, immigration, and other such issues…BD would need to ramp up militarily. At the same time it would help to develop synergies with China and Pakistan.

If BD went a heavy A2AD route…and trained with Pakistan/China along with commonality of equipment…this in itself would be a major headache for India and would hand BD a strategic card that it can play(depending on the circumstances).
Basically an unofficial…quiet…3rd front…
…if India chooses to act belligerently towards BD.

Who could’ve imagined…at the time @Avicenna and I were talking…that we would see Hasina ousted…and finally a hope for friendly relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

 

[UKBengali]

I had met another respected Bangladeshi American member @Avicenna in person…
…this was a long while back…during the times of old PDF and back when Hasina was in power.

Our conversation naturally ended up revolving around how Hasina is basically willingly being India’s puppet…and that prevents BD from charting its own course independently. For BD to step out of India’s sphere of influence and be able to make its own decisions(rather than being bullied or controlled by India)…in terms of its water, land, immigration, and other such issues…BD would need to ramp up militarily. At the same time it would help to develop synergies with China and Pakistan.

If BD went a heavy A2AD route…and trained with Pakistan/China along with commonality of equipment…this in itself would be a major headache for India and would hand BD a strategic card that it can play(depending on the circumstances).
Basically an unofficial…quiet…3rd front…
…if India chooses to act belligerently.

Who could’ve imagined…at the time @Avicenna and I were talking…that we would see Hasina ousted…and finally a hope for friendly relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

It is not just mutual interests against India but BD and Pakistan are Muslim countries and in a "multi-polar" world we see more closer alignment between Muslim countries.

PAF has one of the best airforces in the world and BAF has basically not grown in 2 decades and so after the fall of Hasina, this is a chance for BAF to learn from PAF. Not only will Pakistan be helping BD to get stronger which is in its strategic interests but it can earn revenue from training/consultancy etc.

 

[alphapak]

this is hilarious.

In 15 years, you dream about going from basic, effectively 3rd gen platforms, to the cutting edge of aerospace technologies available for export customers?

Its like an 18 year old who just passed his driving test and wants a brand new Ferrari
or a Lamborghini as a first car.

BAF will have to go for the hi-lo mix, they will have to go for JF17/J10C first and
then the J35A. This is if China will sell them the latest tech, even Iran couldn't get
the J10's. Türkiye still hasn't got the F35 even though they are NATO members.

 

[mulj]

If there was a *need* for more 4th generation planes, then BAF may as well buy an additional 8-16 Mig-29s to take its Mig-29 fleet to 16-24. It already operates 8 upgraded Mig-29s that can fire the radar-guided R-77.


It has already the maintenance and operational infrastructure for Mig-29s and so why move to a small force of JF-17, even JF-17 block 3 models as upgraded Mig-29s would be equivalent planes when both aerodynamic factors and radar/electronics/missiles are taken into account.


And BAF can buy advanced jet trainers like Hurjet to prepare pilots for platforms like J-35A and KAAN.

I do not know, mig29 is basically inferior to jf-17 in all aspects of modern air combat.
Lets put things in this way, you can get about 30 jeffs in next couple of years and basically momentarily elevate condition of your air force, what you suggesting is constant time loophole about future possibilities without solving basics.
You need to start with solutions of current problems before anticipating problems and oportunities of future.

 

[Ak01]

Its like an 18 year old who just passed his driving test and wants a brand new Ferrari
or a Lamborghini as a first car.

BAF will have to go for the hi-lo mix, they will have to go for JF17/J10C first and
then the J35A. This is if China will sell them the latest tech, even Iran couldn't get
the J10's. Türkiye still hasn't got the F35 even though they are NATO members.

even if we just pretend the transition isnt an issue, 100-150 FGFA is unreal. Bro wants 12-13 squadrons of NGFA's, i dont even anticipate these kind of numbers from the PAF.

Realistically, BAF is no different to the Romanian air force, just their MIG-21's are alot more capable and they lack Mig 29's, but for all intents and purposes its the same situation.

What did they do? Ordered 48 F-35s for 2040 delivery, in the meantime operating F-16MLUs to bring their pilots into the modern era lol. Instead, we've got the opposite here, the BAF in our friends eyes should take their pilots out of mig 21's and plop them into 5th gens and anticipate everything should be ok

 

[Ak01]

If there was a *need* for more 4th generation planes, then BAF may as well buy an additional 8-16 Mig-29s to take its Mig-29 fleet to 16-24. It already operates 8 upgraded Mig-29s that can fire the radar-guided R-77.


It has already the maintenance and operational infrastructure for Mig-29s and so why move to a small force of JF-17, even JF-17 block 3 models as upgraded Mig-29s would be equivalent planes when both aerodynamic factors and radar/electronics/missiles are taken into account.


And BAF can buy advanced jet trainers like Hurjet to prepare pilots for platforms like J-35A and KAAN.

Which Mig 29 version has an equivalent missile and radar/electronics set to the Block 3 JF-17?

This is some next level cope

 

[PakAl]

I would say 80-100 between now and 2040.

Like I have said many times before that should be split equally between China(J-35A) in the late 2020s to mid-2030s and KAAN(mid 2030s to 2040).

BAF has no no need for a "work horse" as it is not a 300 fighter air force like Pakistan or Turkey.

Bangladesh economy is similar to Pakistan and has a large population, it needs a strong military and airforce. Bangladesh needs 150 4th generation planes till 2035 and then go for the J35s, plus 50 stealth drones. jf17 or J10 fits them perfectly.

 

[UKBengali]

I do not know, mig29 is basically inferior to jf-17 in all aspects of modern air combat.
Lets put things in this way, you can get about 30 jeffs in next couple of years and basically momentarily elevate condition of your air force, what you suggesting is constant time loophole about future possibilities without solving basics.
You need to start with solutions of current problems before anticipating problems and oportunities of future.

No in aerodynamic performance as Mig-29 is superior with higher service ceiling, top speed and superior maneouvrability.

Yes in electronics and radar.

Latest versions of R-77 are equivalent to SD-10 as there is no evidence of PL-15E being integrated in JF-17.

Anyway like I say BAF won't be ordering anything till it has a democratic government. 2027-2028 seems realistic for when an order for new fighter jets is put in place.

There is no immediate needs for jets as that is IADS, mainly composed of MRSAM with some LRSAM.

 

[Ak01]

No in aerodynamic performance as Mig-29 is superior with higher service ceiling, top speed and superior maneouvrability.

Yes in electronics and radar.

Latest versions of R-77 are equivalent to SD-10 as there is no evidence of PL-15E being integrated in JF-17.

Anyway like I say BAF won't be ordering anything till it has a democratic government. 2027-2028 seems realistic for when an order for new fighter jets is put in place.

There is no immediate needs for jets as that is IADS, mainly composed of MRSAM with some LRSAM.

SD-10 has a longer range, better seeker, modern electronics, the list goes on...

 

[LeonBlack08]

JF-17 does not fit BAF doctrine of extremely high performance fighters in small numbers to deter IAF.

Myanmar does not even need an airforce to be dealt with as that is more much quicker and cheaper IADS requirement, and so there is no place for JF-17 in BAF and anyway unless BD has a democratic government in place no fighter jet purchase is possible.

JF 17s will be a huge upgrade over our ageing F7s, which are still our AFs backbone and primary interceptors.

Even if BAF goes 5 gen in near future, they will need lightweight fighters to support the 4.5+/5 gen platform. If BD had a lot of money, it could have been J10s performing that role alongside EFT/KAAN/J35. But we are not there yet.

@Afif

 

[hussain0216]

Keep the mig 29s, give them a role
Get rid of anything else (keep any training aircraft)
Get JF17s in decent numbers to build a effective base and start saving and preparing (will take years) for J35 or KAAN

The idea that you can just jump to J35 or KAAN will be disastrous, it takes a lot of work just to absorb those kinds of aircraft


Bangladeshi members must also consider that numbers is its own strength
Bangladesh is relatively small, and it doesn't matter which aircraft Bangladesh gets India won't be THAT bothered, the reasons is because it's got the missiles to hit Bangladeshi air bases from distance

Israel has the exact same problem, for all the F35 and F15s Israel buys, against a opponent who can target Israeli bases in the small Israeli land mass effectively rips Israeli air force apart regardless of aircraft


So I would say be sensible, buy a lot of JF17,s or J10s (one or the other) and then LATER buy a spear tip of J35 or KAANS

JF17 is easy to absorb
Relatively easy to fly and maintain
Low flight costs
And growing array of missiles including sea, land and air
Decent purchase price and we should be looking to integrate air force and support each other
Also since Pakistan is looking to support the platform in the future, their is long term prospects for the plane

 

[Boss]

JF-17 does not fit BAF doctrine of extremely high performance fighters in small numbers to deter IAF.

Myanmar does not even need an airforce to be dealt with as that is more much quicker and cheaper IADS requirement, and so there is no place for JF-17 in BAF and anyway unless BD has a democratic government in place no fighter jet purchase is possible.

No air force can have a hand full of high performance jets in isolation and be effective. It has to be a staged approach. Their F7 are getting ready for retirement and JF17 is good cost effective replacement. The MiG 29s can be replaced by J10s.

I think BD biggest need is an integrated air defense system connecting all their nodes which Pakistan can supply

 

[Ak01]

No air force can have a hand full of high performance jets in isolation and be effective. It has to be a staged approach. Their F7 are getting ready for retirement and JF17 is good cost effective replacement. The MiG 29s can be replaced by J10s.

I think BD biggest need is an integrated air defense system connecting all their nodes which Pakistan can supply

i dont think the f7s will go anywhere. Their F-7s are newer than our JF-17 Block 1s in some cases.