PM unveils big defense-purchase plan; Fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, helicopters, air-defense radar, armaments to be procured for Air Force
Plan okayed for air-watch from Cox’s Bazar on economic activities in Bay, she says
Dhaka, Mar 10 (UNB)-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday unveiled her government’s big defense-purchase plan for procuring soon fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missile system, helicopters, air-defense radars and armaments for Bangladesh Air Force.
Besides, she said, the government has already approved a development plan for constructing necessary infrastructure at Cox’s Bazar for smooth operation of fighter jets and transport aircraft to ensure security of economic activities in the vast maritime territories and relief operation in remote areas to protect people during natural calamity.
The Prime Minister revealed the government’s defense plans while addressing the Bangladesh Air Force officers on the occasion of Air Force’s annual exercises dubbed “WINTEX-2010” at the BAF main fighter base at Kurmitola inside Dhaka Cantonment at noon.
“Within just one year of assuming office, procuring fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missile system, helicopter, air-defense radar, and armaments has been put in process,” she told her military audience.
She said the process is underway to arrange necessary funds for implementing the development plan for the Air Force.
“Budget allocation for the Bangladesh Air Force under the present fiscal year is the biggest amount in the history of the force,” she told the function.
The Prime Minister further said various other welfare projects for the members of the Air Force are under active consideration of the government.
“The present government will take all possible measures to build up the country’s Air Force as an up-to-date force by arming it with modern technology-based war weapons,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is firmly committed to building up a modern, knowledge-based air force excelled in training and technology in order to ensure security of the country and its people.
Besides, the government is giving attention to ensuring financial solvency of the members of the Bangladesh Air Force, the Prime Minister said.
“In this regard, our main goal is to increase participation of Air Force members in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. I have already talked to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and presented our logical demands in various international forums.”
She mentioned that according to the BNP-Jamaat government-made Force Structure, maximum 724 members of the Air Force could be sent to the UN peacekeeping mission. “But our government has increased the number of Air Force members for UN mission to 1617. Last month, 104 members of the Air Force for the first time went to Chad and Central African Republic,” she said.
The Prime Minister further said the number of Bangladesh Air Force members in UN Peace Mission has now gone up to 467, almost double in comparison with the previous years.
Besides, the government is considering sending more 100-150 Air force members to the UN missions.
“I strongly believe for such measures, our Air Force will be turned into a developed and strong second-generation air force,” the Prime Minister told the BAF function.
Regarding the MIG-29 Purchase Case filed against her during the last BNP-Jamaat government, the Prime Minister said the then government had kept the MIG-29 unused for a long time just to get her in trouble.
She urged the Air Force members to know about the real history of the liberation war of 1971 and build themselves as confident, skilled and ideal military men.
Hasina in her speech paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the liberation war, including the members of the Bangladesh Air Force.
Earlier, the Prime Minister witnessed spectacular flying display of different BAF fighter and transport planes and helicopters, including the much-talked-about MIG-29 fighter plane, at the Kurmitola Base.
During the air-raid exercises code named ‘EX-THUNDER’, BAF jets showed various modern aerobatic tactics of air warfare when troops were dropped from helicopter by rappelling while transport aircraft dropped logistics with parachute which is indigenously made by the Bangladesh Air Force, said an ISPR press release.
The Prime Minister also witnessed short-time scramble takeoff of two BAF fighter aircraft from Air Defence Alert (ADA) Hut for intercepting enemy fighter aircraft at the BAF Base Kurmitola tarmac.
She also inspected Air Command Operation Centre and Air Force Operation Centre when she was also briefed on annual exercises.
Earlier, on her arrival at the BAF Base, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman.
Security Adviser to the Prime Minister Maj. Gen. (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Defense Secretary Khandaker Md Asaduzzaman and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad were present.
Besides, she said, the government has already approved a development plan for constructing necessary infrastructure at Cox’s Bazar for smooth operation of fighter jets and transport aircraft to ensure security of economic activities in the vast maritime territories and relief operation in remote areas to protect people during natural calamity.
The Prime Minister revealed the government’s defense plans while addressing the Bangladesh Air Force officers on the occasion of Air Force’s annual exercises dubbed “WINTEX-2010” at the BAF main fighter base at Kurmitola inside Dhaka Cantonment at noon.
“Within just one year of assuming office, procuring fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missile system, helicopter, air-defense radar, and armaments has been put in process,” she told her military audience.
She said the process is underway to arrange necessary funds for implementing the development plan for the Air Force.
“Budget allocation for the Bangladesh Air Force under the present fiscal year is the biggest amount in the history of the force,” she told the function.
The Prime Minister further said various other welfare projects for the members of the Air Force are under active consideration of the government.
“The present government will take all possible measures to build up the country’s Air Force as an up-to-date force by arming it with modern technology-based war weapons,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is firmly committed to building up a modern, knowledge-based air force excelled in training and technology in order to ensure security of the country and its people.
Besides, the government is giving attention to ensuring financial solvency of the members of the Bangladesh Air Force, the Prime Minister said.
“In this regard, our main goal is to increase participation of Air Force members in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. I have already talked to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and presented our logical demands in various international forums.”
She mentioned that according to the BNP-Jamaat government-made Force Structure, maximum 724 members of the Air Force could be sent to the UN peacekeeping mission. “But our government has increased the number of Air Force members for UN mission to 1617. Last month, 104 members of the Air Force for the first time went to Chad and Central African Republic,” she said.
The Prime Minister further said the number of Bangladesh Air Force members in UN Peace Mission has now gone up to 467, almost double in comparison with the previous years.
Besides, the government is considering sending more 100-150 Air force members to the UN missions.
“I strongly believe for such measures, our Air Force will be turned into a developed and strong second-generation air force,” the Prime Minister told the BAF function.
Regarding the MIG-29 Purchase Case filed against her during the last BNP-Jamaat government, the Prime Minister said the then government had kept the MIG-29 unused for a long time just to get her in trouble.
She urged the Air Force members to know about the real history of the liberation war of 1971 and build themselves as confident, skilled and ideal military men.
Hasina in her speech paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the liberation war, including the members of the Bangladesh Air Force.
Earlier, the Prime Minister witnessed spectacular flying display of different BAF fighter and transport planes and helicopters, including the much-talked-about MIG-29 fighter plane, at the Kurmitola Base.
During the air-raid exercises code named ‘EX-THUNDER’, BAF jets showed various modern aerobatic tactics of air warfare when troops were dropped from helicopter by rappelling while transport aircraft dropped logistics with parachute which is indigenously made by the Bangladesh Air Force, said an ISPR press release.
The Prime Minister also witnessed short-time scramble takeoff of two BAF fighter aircraft from Air Defence Alert (ADA) Hut for intercepting enemy fighter aircraft at the BAF Base Kurmitola tarmac.
She also inspected Air Command Operation Centre and Air Force Operation Centre when she was also briefed on annual exercises.
Earlier, on her arrival at the BAF Base, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman.
Security Adviser to the Prime Minister Maj. Gen. (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Defense Secretary Khandaker Md Asaduzzaman and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad were present.
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