Dhaka, May 19:- With the direction and relentless effort of Honourable Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, the present Government has taken various steps to modernize Bangladesh Air Force. In this development process, Government has taken steps to induct 05 US origin C-130J aircraft from United Kingdom through Government to Government agreement. Following this, the process of inducting C-130J is being continued to BAF through the procurement and maintenance agreement with Royal Air Force and Marshal Aerospace and Defence Group of UK respectively. On Tuesday (19-05-2020), the 2nd C-130J arrived at Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu after a successful ferry flight from UK by BAF aircrew. Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, BBP, OSP, ndu, psc and High Commissioner of British High Commission in Bangladesh H. E. Robert Chatterton Dickson were present on the occasion. On way to Bangladesh the aircraft landed at Cairo (Egypt), Muscat (Oman) and handed over friendly souvenir items for high officials of both countries. Besides, the aircraft also carried few Bangladeshi citizens from Cairo who were stranded due to outbreak of coronavirus.
The aircraft was received in the traditional way of Air Force at the Bangabandhu Air Base. Mentionable that C-130J aircraft is equipped with modern avionics and sophisticated technology which would be utilized for transportation of materials, personnel, humanitarian assistance both at home and abroad and to support United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. BAF has planned to induct all remaining aircraft in phases from UK. The inclusion of this modern C-130J aircraft in BAF inventory will certainly enhance the transport capability and operational capability of BAF as a whole.
It may also be mentioned that Principal Staff Officers of Air Headquarters, Air Officer Commanding of BAF Base Bangabandhu and BAF Base Bashar as well as senior officers were present on the occasion.
