Asia Defense | Security | South Asia

Bangladesh’s Air Power: Intentions Meet a Widening Capability Gap

The Bangladesh Air Force risks becoming a paper tiger, if it isn’t already. 

BAF MiG-21MF on display at BAF Base Bashar.

On March 26, Bangladesh displayed its military might to the world during its Independence Day parade. Although it was a power-projection spectacle, with jets soaring across the sky in a meticulously choreographed aerial display, contrary to the newly elected government’s expectations, the air show failed to mesmerize its audience – especially young Bangladeshis online. 

Criticism spread rampantly on social media about the lackluster combat aircraft inventory of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) compared with those of neighboring air forces. The disappointment was palpable regarding the BAF being out of step with the demands of modern warfare.

The roots of this criticism are not new. This frustration has been building for years, and the Independence Day parade just reignited it. As a matter of fact, Bangladesh’s air power was never designed to be expansive. It emerged haphazardly after 1971 with limited resources to meet urgent needs. Therefore, even the strategic culture matured in a way that it never placed air superiority at a pivotal position in the national defense structure. Dhaka faced immediate reconstruction challenges, leading to only incremental upgrades in the BAF fleet.

But incrementalism has limitations. Aircraft being kept in service longer than originally intended is a step toward irrelevance. In statistical terms, the BAF only boasts 44 combat aircraft, with 36 of its contemporary fleet still relying on the aged and outdated Chengdu F-7 platform. The remaining eight aircraft are battle-tested MiG-29s, but they’ve long since become legacy platforms. They’re clearly well past their prime, and with such a small number, they don’t even make up a full operational squadron anymore. 

To make matters worse, modern air power no longer revolves around aircraft inventory alone. A modern air force’s real combat power isn’t defined by aircraft numbers; it rests on robust electronic warfare capabilities, seamless integration across platforms, and the ability to operate effectively within a broader joint-force framework. On that front, the BAF is not just behind the eight ball; it is struggling even to justify its potency in a region that isn’t standing still.

To illustrate, the Bay of Bengal has become increasingly strategically relevant for Dhaka. The Bay of Bengal is witnessing rapid air and naval movements, not just by regional actors but also by external powers with growing stakes in the Indo-Pacific. In addition, relations with India, while not openly hostile, have deteriorated. To the east, there lies an unstable Myanmar, which has repeatedly violated Bangladeshi airspace. Amid such uncertainties, air power is a strategic necessity for Dhaka. 

On paper, Bangladesh seems to have understood the gravity of the situation. Its military modernization vision, outlined in “Forces Goal 2030,” has been around for years, and the thought of acquiring modern multi-role combat aircraft is hardly new. However, what is striking is not the absence of plans but the disappointing pattern that follows them. The government’s........

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