MANUFACTURED BY BANGLADESH AIR FORCE
Dhaka, 24 March : The Honourable Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, officially inaugurated the Bangladesh Air Force’s inaugural Bangabandhu Basic Trainer (BBT) aircraft on 24 March 2024, Sunday during the Military Hardware Display 2024 at the Tejgaon Airfield of BAF Base Bashar. The Honourable Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, BBP, BUP, nswc, fawc, psc.
The development of the Bangabandhu Training Aircraft (BBT) commenced in January 2020 under the auspices of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU). This initiative was propelled by the visionary idea that Bangladesh can produce aircraft. Under the directive of Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and guided by the motto “Free Shall we keep the sky of Bangladesh”, the Bangladesh Air Force successfully manufactured the first Trainer Aircraft BBT-1, which completed its maiden flight on 12 February 2023. Following this, the advanced model BBT-2 was developed to meet specific training requirements, with both models benefiting from the extensive experience of the BAF’s engineers and technicians in aviation and aerospace maintenance and operations. On 26 October 2023 BBT–2 completed its first maiden flight.
It is noteworthy that these aircraft allow for side-by-side pilot seating and are equipped with a modern instrument parameter monitoring system that provides essential flight information for safe flying. BBT-2 can reach a top speed of 250 km/h at an altitude of 20,000 feet, with a maximum take-off weight of 500 kg. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Bangladesh Air Force, positioning it on the path towards self-reliance in military hardware design and production.
The fabrication of this aircraft represents a pivotal step towards realizing the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision of a digital Bangladesh, thereby securing an unparalleled position for the nation on the global stage. This remarkable accomplishment by the Bangladesh Air Force will be inscribed in the annals of Bangladesh’s illustrious history in golden letters.
The ceremony was also attended by other high-ranking military and civilian officials.
