For decades, the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has relied on a diverse mix of aircraft sourced from Russia, China, the United States and Europe. Among these, Russian-built platforms such as the MiG-29 fighter, Yak-130 trainer, Mi-17/171 helicopters and Antonov An-32 transports once formed the backbone of combat and support aviation. These types offered ruggedness, familiarity and cost-effectiveness in an earlier era, but the landscape has now shifted. Sanctions, supply-chain breakdowns, and a global decline in Russian aerospace exports have created chronic shortages of spare parts, rising maintenance costs, and dwindling availability. For Dhaka, the strategic choice is clear: a complete transition away from Russian aircraft is no longer optional but essential.
The MiG-29, once the pride of the BAF fighter fleet, remains a capable dogfighter but is technologically outclassed in an era defined by multirole capabilities, beyond-visual-range missiles and networked warfare. Replacing it requires careful balance between affordability, capability and political accessibility. Western options such as the F-16V Fighting Falcon and Saab Gripen provide proven systems with global sustainment and advanced avionics. Higher-end fighters like the Eurofighter Typhoon or Rafale offer unmatched performance but carry a heavy price tag. On the Chinese side, the JF-17 Block III and J-10C present cost-effective solutions with modern sensors and weapons. For Bangladesh, a mixed fleet combining Western and Chinese fighters could provide both deterrence and flexibility — F-16Vs delivering advanced interoperability and deterrence, while JF-17s or J-10Cs offer numerical strength at lower cost.
The Yak-130 advanced jet trainer, though relatively modern, has also become a liability due to reliance on Russian supply chains. Western replacements such as the Leonardo M-346 Master or Korea’s T-50 Golden Eagle provide cockpits and avionics designed to replicate modern fighters, bridging the gap between basic training and frontline aircraft. China’s L-15 Falcon offers a similar profile at a lower cost, while the familiar K-8 could remain at the basic training stage. The direction Dhaka takes here will likely follow its choice of frontline fighters: a Western fleet would benefit from M-346 or T-50 trainers, while a Chinese-centric force would integrate naturally with the L-15.
In the rotary-wing domain, the venerable Mi-17/171 fleet has served Bangladesh faithfully in troop transport, disaster relief and medical evacuation. Yet the availability crisis has grown sharper, forcing Dhaka to look elsewhere. Western alternatives include the UH-60M Black Hawk, Airbus H225M Cougar and Leonardo AW101 Merlin, offering modern avionics, predictable logistics and versatility across missions. China’s Z-20, roughly equivalent to the Black Hawk, is emerging as a viable alternative, while the Z-8/AC313 offers heavy-lift options. A gradual replacement strategy, phasing in Black Hawks for tactical lift and complementing them with larger helicopters for maritime and SAR roles, would deliver resilience while avoiding overdependence on any single supplier.
The An-32 transport fleet is perhaps the most pressing concern. Spare parts have become scarce to the point of grounding, leaving the BAF reliant on its C-130J Hercules fleet for both tactical and strategic lift. A logical path forward would be to expand the Hercules fleet while procuring medium-lift transports like the Airbus C295 or Leonardo C-27J Spartan, both of which offer strong payload, efficiency and STOL performance. China’s Y-9E, powered by Western engines, provides a cost-effective alternative if Western financing proves challenging. In every case, replacing the An-32 is a priority that cannot be delayed.
Moving away from Russian platforms provides Bangladesh with several tangible benefits. Sustainment becomes predictable, with modern Western and Chinese OEMs guaranteeing spares and upgrades over decades. Operational effectiveness improves, with higher sortie rates, greater payloads, and training systems tailored to 4th- and 5th-generation cockpits. Lifecycle value is maximised by modular upgrades and long service lives. Politically, a mixed approach dilutes dependency on any single supplier, giving Dhaka freedom of choice in a volatile world.
A phased procurement strategy is essential. Fighters should be acquired in balanced batches, beginning with a small number for training and evaluation, before scaling up. Trainers must align with the chosen fighter ecosystem. Helicopters can be replaced gradually, prioritising critical transport and medevac roles. Transports must be addressed urgently, with An-32s retired and replaced by C295, C-27J or Y-9E while expanding the Hercules fleet. Establishing local maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities must accompany acquisitions to ensure long-term independence.
The Bangladesh Air Force stands at a crossroads. Its reliance on Russian platforms once made sense, but the global realities of today have rendered that path unsustainable. By embracing a carefully balanced fleet of Western and Chinese systems, Bangladesh can modernise its air defence, training, airlift and disaster response capabilities for decades to come. The transition will be costly and politically complex, yet the benefits are clear: modern technology, reliable sustainment, greater resilience and enhanced sovereignty. For a nation that must protect its skies, support peacekeeping, and respond rapidly to natural disasters, modernisation of the BAF is an urgent national necessity.
Amit Bhattacharya is a seasoned defence procurement expert with extensive knowledge of modern weapon systems and military hardware acquisition. With over 12 years of experience working alongside leading defence contractors and strategic research institutions, he offers critical analysis on procurement frameworks, capability development, and technology integration across armed forces. His insights bridge operational requirements with industrial capacity, providing in-depth evaluations of modernisation programs, defence budgets, and acquisition reforms in both conventional and emerging defence markets. He leads the Defence Procurement & Defence Industry sections at BDMilitary.
