Bangladesh Air Force

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. It was established on 28 September 1971, just before the Bangladesh Liberation War, to support the newly formed Bangladesh Army and Navy. The BAF has since grown into a competent military force equipped with a variety of aircraft. Its primary mission is to defend the nation's airspace and safeguard its sovereignty. The BAF is organized into several tactical and support units, including fighter, transport, helicopter, and training squadrons. Its aircraft inventory includes various types such as MiG-29, F-7MB, and JF-17 fighter jets, C-130 and Y-12 transport aircraft, as well as different models of helicopters like Bell 212, Mi-171, and Huey II. In addition to defensive roles, the BAF actively participates in various domestic and international humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. It has also been involved in joint military exercises with other nations, enhancing its operational readiness and interoperability.

Key facts

Official Name	Bangladesh Air Force
Local Name	বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী (Bangladesh Biman Bahini)
Country	🇧🇩 Bangladesh
World rank	#47
Active aircrafts	204 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	17
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Training	75
Helicopters	65
Combat aircrafts	44
Transport	17
Special missions	3

Aircrafts most used by Bangladeshi air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
Mi-17 Hip-H	40	Soviet transport helicopter, prominently deployed during Afghan War, globally used for cargo, troop transport, and rescue missions.
J-7 Fishcan	36	Chinese jet fighter, notable for usage in the late Cold War era, widely deployed in the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis.
JL-8	14	Chinese jet trainer, developed in the late 20th century, regularly deployed for pilot training and light attack roles.
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"	14	American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations.
Yak-130 Mitten	14	Russian advanced trainer and combat aircraft, widely deployed in various countries and known for its aerobatic capabilities.
G-120	12	German trainer aircraft, utilized worldwide for military pilot training, developed in the late 20th century.
MiG-21 Fishbed	11	Soviet supersonic jet fighter, renowned for extensive service during the Cold War, prevalent in various international conflicts.
206 JetRanger	9	American light helicopter, well known for civilian, military, emergency medical services, and offshore oil support roles since the 1960s.
MiG-19 Farmer	9	Soviet fighter jet, operational during the Cold War, notably used in various conflicts like the Vietnam and Indo-Pakistan Wars.
C-130 Hercules	8	American military transport aircraft, known for significant roles in Vietnam War and Desert Storm, extensively used for various cargo missions.

Full inventory in 2024