Bangladesh Air Force

Air warfare branch of Bangladesh Armed Forces

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী, romanized: Bangladesh Biman Bahini) is the aerial warfare branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. It is responsible for air defence of Bangladesh's sovereign territory as well as providing air support to the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Navy. Furthermore, the BAF has a territorial role in providing tactical and strategic air transport and logistics capability for the country.

Bangladesh Air Force
  • বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী
  • Bānlādēśa bimāna bāhinī
Founded28 September 1971; 53 years ago (1971-09-28)
Country Bangladesh
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size17,390 active duty (2017)[1][2]
3,686 civilians[1][2]
166 aircraft[3][4]
Part of Bangladesh Armed Forces
HeadquartersDhaka Cantonment
PatronThe President of Bangladesh
Motto(s)বাংলার আকাশ রাখিব মুক্ত
Banglar Aakash Rakhibo Mukto
"Free shall we keep the sky of Bangladesh"[5]
Colours
  • Service uniform: Deep Sky Blue, Prussian Blue
      
  • Combat uniform: Deep Sky Blue, Prussian Blue, Black, White
        
Mascot(s)Flying Eagle
Anniversaries28 September (Air Force Day)
21 November (Armed Forces Day)
Engagements
Websitebaf.mil.bd
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief President Mohammed Sahabuddin
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan[6]
Insignia
Ensign
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
FighterMiG-29, Chengdu F-7
HelicopterBell 212, Mil Mi-17, AW139
TrainerG-120TP, PT-6, AW119kx, Bell 206, Aero L-39, K-8W, Yak-130
TransportC-130J, C-130, An-32, L-410

Since its establishment on 28 September 1971, the Air Force has been involved in various combat and humanitarian operations, from the Bangladesh Liberation War in which it was born, to supporting international efforts including United Nations peacekeeping missions. Operation Kilo Flight was a famous operation conducted by the Bangladesh Air Force during the Bangladesh Liberation War

References

change
  1. 1.0 1.1 সশস্ত্রবাহিনীর মোট সদস্য সংখ্যা দুই লাখ চার হাজার ৫৯৬ জন. Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali).
  2. 2.0 2.1 সশস্ত্র বাহিনীর সদস্য সংখ্যা ২ লাখ ৪ হাজার ৫৯৬ জন. The Daily Sangram (in Bengali). Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  3. "World Air Forces 2021". FlightGlobal. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  4. "7 newly procured aircraft for BAF arrive in Chittagong". Dhaka Tribune. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  5. "Bangladesh Air Force motto in English". Join Bangladesh Air Force. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  6. "Air vice marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan takes over BAF command". Prothom Alo. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.