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

[BananaRepublic]

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.

As I have said before, it’s a complete and utter waste of money to build an airforce for deterrence against India.

Bangladesh’s airforce will only be effective against Burma and air support in the BoB.

Hence 40-50 5th gen will see BD through the 2030s and beyond.

Buying shiny gear so military men can chest thump - is a road to ruin.

Especially when it will all be imported!

Bangladesh needs a strong navy to protect the BoB. Exactly what Hasina was doing!

 

[Avicenna]

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.

Hey man. I remember that evening fondly. It was January 2019 I believe. Anyways, hope things are well with you. As for Bangladesh, I'm glad Hasina is out. But the world has changed post Gaza. The masks have fallen off. And its my opinion that Muslim majority nations MUST get their act together and act in the collective interest. That includes closer cooperation between Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Turkiye.

 

[MirageV3ff]

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

This is some next level cope

Something I was wondering too. For the BAF atleast JF-17 will be the most high tech aircraft in their fleet, one which they can procure in sizable numbers and use as their workhorse. They can easily opt and work for a high low mix with JF-17. And ofcourse maintenance won't be a major issue since Mig-29 and the JF-17 both use a similar engine

 

[Cookie Monster]

Hey man. I remember that evening fondly. It was January 2019 I believe. Anyways, hope things are well with you. As for Bangladesh, I'm glad Hasina is out. But the world has changed post Gaza. The masks have fallen off. And its my opinion that Muslim majority nations MUST get their act together and act in the collective interest. That includes closer cooperation between Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Turkiye.

I’m in full agreement…
…I have been of this opinion since long before. The mask wasn’t fooling me even before the events of Gaza. However I found that each “group” of Muslims was too consumed in their personal/local/ethnic issues(Arabs being Arabs, Turks with their own priorities, Iran vying for its own influence, Indonesia/Malaysia busy with their regional stuff, and Pakistan/Bangladesh also busy with their regional stuff).
This cooperation(at any level) is the need of the hour and has been for decades…but better late than never. My only worry is that…Muslim nations overall…are still led by narrow sighted utter morons who still fail to see the bigger picture…
…and just like they sat on their asses doing nothing but involving themselves in petty squabbles…I fear that may continue.

 

[ronaldo]

J-7s are single engines so they could be replaced by JF-17s or J-10c. Both are quite similar except for some a2a munitions and avionics. JF-17 would also be a lot cheaper so BD can get solid numbers behind those and deploy those across numerous air bases. Four squadrons of JF-17 plus two squadrons of J-10s plus Mig-29s should do the job. In the mean time, they can build out their IADS, native ballistic missiles program and drone program.

Down the line, they can go for J35 or Kaan or even PFX whichever becomes available. Kaan faces some challenges with developing engines. They could look to get them from the Chinese. Alternatively, they could seek investments from the Saudis, Qatar or UAE and use that money for R&D to build out a native engine for Kaan.

 

[Cookie Monster]

J-7s are single engines so they could be replaced by JF-17s or J-10c. Both are quite similar except for some a2a munitions and avionics. JF-17 would also be a lot cheaper so BD can get solid numbers behind those and deploy those across numerous air bases. Four squadrons of JF-17 plus two squadrons of J-10s plus Mig-29s should do the job. In the mean time, they can build out their IADS, native ballistic missiles program and drone program.

Down the line, they can go for J35 or Kaan or even PFX whichever becomes available. Kaan faces some challenges with developing engines. They could look to get them from the Chinese. Alternatively, they could seek investments from the Saudis, Qatar or UAE and use that money for R&D to build out a native engine for Kaan.

How many J7s does BAF have rn?

 

[ronaldo]

How many J7s does BAF have rn?

Around 36 I think. Being 3rd gen, they are currently as effective as some MALE/ HALE drones at best.

 

[mulj]

As I have said before, it’s a complete and utter waste of money to build an airforce for deterrence against India.

Bangladesh’s airforce will only be effective against Burma and air support in the BoB.

Hence 40-50 5th gen will see BD through the 2030s and beyond.

Buying shiny gear so military men can chest thump - is a road to ruin.

Especially when it will all be imported!

Bangladesh needs a strong navy to protect the BoB. Exactly what Hasina was doing!

Not really, capable air force in relatively small numbers supported by adequate AD/AB systems is huge deterrent for any adversary and breathing space for land forces.

 

[SiliconBit (silicon0000)]

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.

I agree with your first sentence, but the last line might be difficult to comprehend. The Bangladesh Air Force do need a workhorse, perhaps not at the level of Pakistan's, but they certainly require it. I personally believe that drones can fulfill this role for the Bangladesh Air Force. The Bangladesh Air Force should collaborate with Baykar and embark on mass production of Akıncı and Kızılelma domestically to handle these routine tasks. Also They probabily need a trainer for these 5th Gen Jets you mentioned so that can also be utilized for some roles in case of need if they opted for Chinese L15 or TAI Hürjet.

However, this is merely my personal opinion.

 

[Cesur]

I agree with your first sentence, but the last line might be difficult to comprehend. The Bangladesh Air Force do need a workhorse, perhaps not at the level of Pakistan's, but they certainly require it. I personally believe that drones can fulfill this role for the Bangladesh Air Force. The Bangladesh Air Force should collaborate with Baykar and embark on mass production of Akıncı and Kızılelma domestically to handle these routine tasks. Also They probabily need a trainer for these 5th Gen Jets you mentioned so that can also be utilized for some roles in case of need if they opted for Chinese L15 or TAI Hürjet.

However, this is merely my personal opinion.

Or as a high low mix, they can go for Shahpar as we continue to develop them rapidly and can offer them in bulk for the best price

 

[Afif]

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

It will be. In one to one comparison.

But given we are a much smaller and weaker opponent conventionally, without adequate joint doctrine and integrated concept of operations, and a procurement strategy thoughtfully tailored to that, isolated expensive purchases of few high-end platforms won't contribute much to actual deterrence and warfighting capability. I talked about it many times before.

Right now, BD armed forces' priority procurements as follow. (You don't need to be a genius strategist to figure it out. A good understanding of modern warfare and strategic, operational and tactical context BD armed forces is expected to operate in would suffice.)

1. Air defense systems. long, medium and short range of various types for BAF and BA.

2. Long range strategic fires/TBM and more Tiger GMLRS.

3. Very Small tactical UAVs in hundreds to modernise army's nonexistent ISR capabilities at tactical and operational level. (Plus some more low cost EW systems to back it up)

I can go on in specific details for each of three capabilities outlined above if required.

4. Two Modern AIP submarine.

Then we can talked about fighter procurement. And lastly our frigate program. @Joe Shearer

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

What I am getting at is that it was more of an expression of impression with J17C than expression of interest for purchase.

Like, yeah you got good stuff. We like to observe closely and learn. @Oscar

 

[RealNapster]

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its military partnership with Bangladesh
View attachment 95133
A high-level defence delegation from Bangladesh visited Pakistan on Wednesday and met with Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu.

The delegation, led by Lieutenant General SM Qamarul Hassan, Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division, Bangladesh, expressed a keen interest in Pakistan’s advanced military equipment, particularly the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting took place at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad, where both sides discussed ways to strengthen military ties and enhance cooperation between their air forces.

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its military partnership with Bangladesh, with a focus on joint training programs and expanding collaborative opportunities.

Lieutenant General Hassan praised the Pakistan Air Force’s modern initiatives, its state-of-the-art technology, and locally developed technical frameworks. He specifically showed interest in the production of the JF-17 Thunder aircraft, along with other modern military hardware.

The meeting underscored the commitment of both nations to enhance military cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations.

First J-10C , than J-35 now JF-17 ? Bhai makeup your mind. Which one do you really want to purchase.

 

[SiliconBit (silicon0000)]

First J-10C , than J-35 now JF-17 ? Bhai makeup your mind. Which one do you really want to purchase.

Window Shopping

 

[UKBengali]

I agree with your first sentence, but the last line might be difficult to comprehend. The Bangladesh Air Force do need a workhorse, perhaps not at the level of Pakistan's, but they certainly require it. I personally believe that drones can fulfill this role for the Bangladesh Air Force. The Bangladesh Air Force should collaborate with Baykar and embark on mass production of Akıncı and Kızılelma domestically to handle these routine tasks. Also They probabily need a trainer for these 5th Gen Jets you mentioned so that can also be utilized for some roles in case of need if they opted for Chinese L15 or TAI Hürjet.

However, this is merely my personal opinion.

Exactly and I did not rule out a UAV 'workhorse" for patrols and reconnaissance.

Buying JF-17 Block 3 as a "workhorse" is not the right way to go as it would use up vital pilots, infrastructure, maintenance and other resources. UAVs would be much cheaper and potentially faster to induct.

If there is a desperate *need *for 4th generation fighters to bridge the gap between 3rd generation and 5th generation, then it makes sense to buy maybe another squadron(16) of refurbished Mig-29s with upgraded radars/electronics and ability to fire the active-rader guided R-77.

Talk of adding another 4th generation fighter at this stage is not logical when BD already operates 8 Mig-29s with around 10 years service life left in them.

 

[hussain0216]

Exactly and I did not rule out a UAV 'workhorse" for patrols and reconnaissance.

Buying JF-17 Block 3 as a "workhorse" is not the right way to go as it would use up vital pilots, infrastructure, maintenance and other resources. UAVs would be much cheaper and potentially faster to induct.

If there is a desperate *need *for 4th generation fighters to bridge the gap between 3rd generation and 5th generation, then it makes sense to buy maybe another squadron(16) of refurbished Mig-29s with upgraded radars/electronics and ability to fire the active-rader guided R-77.

Talk of adding another 4th generation fighter at this stage is not logical when BD already operates 8 Mig-29s with around 10 years service life left in them.

What's Bangladeshs total air force at the moment?