Bangladesh Air Force to Finalise Acquisition of Turkish SİPER Long-Range Air Defence System

Reading Time: 2 minutes The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) is expected to finalise the acquisition of Türkiye’s SİPER long-range air and missile defence system by the end of this year, according to The Turkish Century. The deal represents a major milestone in BAF’s drive to establish a fully integrated, multi-layered air defence shield covering the entirety of Bangladesh’s airspace. Developed through a partnership between ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, and TÜBİTAK SAGE, the SİPER system is Türkiye’s premier long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) platform, comparable to advanced Western and Asian systems such as the SAMP/T, HQ-9, and Patriot. It is designed to defend strategic areas against a wide range of aerial threats — from fighter aircraft and cruise missiles to UAVs and precision-guided munitions. Strategic Boost for the Air Force The potential acquisition aligns with the Bangladesh Air Force’s modernisation roadmap under Forces Goal 2030, which prioritises enhanced situational awareness, layered air defence, and