Govt Procures 5 New C-130 J Aircrafts for BAF

The Government has procured five C-130J aircraft from the United Kingdom ( UK) as part of its attempts to modernize the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF).

The United States (US) origin aircraft were purchased via an arrangement with the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom, while the maintenance arrangement was signed with Marshal Aerospace and Defence Group, said Director of ISPR Lt Col Abdullah Ibne Jayed.

The second C-130J arrived from the United Kingdom at BAF Base Bangabandhu on Tuesday, with the presence of Chief Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat and British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson, Jayed said.

On its way to Bangladesh, the aircraft equipped with modern avionics and sophisticated technology landed in Cairo and Muscat. It picked up a few Bangladeshi citizens from Cairo who were stranded due to lockdown over coronavirus outbreak, he added.

The C-130J aircraft would be utilised for transportation of materials, people, humanitarian assistance both at home and abroad and also to support United Nations peacekeeping operations, Jayed said.

“BAF will receive the remaining aircrafts in phases from UK,” he said.

Main Air Headquarters Staff Members, BAF Base Bangabandhu Air Officer Command and BAF Base Bashar Senior Officers were also present at the event.

Source: UNB