Bangladesh Air Force Inducts Kh-31 Anti-Ship Missiles, Transforming MiG-29BM Fleet into Maritime Strike Role

Reading Time: 4 minutes Key Points Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has inducted the Russian-origin Kh-31 supersonic anti-ship missile. MiG-29B fighters were upgraded to MiG-29BM standard at the 558 Aircraft Repair Plant in Baranovichi, Belarus. The MiG-29BM upgrade provides multi-role strike and maritime attack capabilities. The BAF may re-station MiG-29BM squadrons to Cox’s Bazar or Chattogram as part of a new maritime strike formation. A New Maritime Strike Era In a landmark development for Bangladesh’s aerial warfare capability, the Bangladesh Air Force has inducted the Russian-designed Kh-31 supersonic anti-ship missile into service. This induction marks the Air Force’s first operational deployment of a stand-off maritime strike weapon, representing a significant leap in deterrence capability within the Bay of Bengal. The move reflects a deliberate doctrinal shift in the BAF’s strategic posture — from territorial air defence to an integrated maritime air strike role. Equipped with the Kh-31, Bangladesh’s upgraded MiG-29BM fighters