After numerous attempts, in March 2014 the author received permission to visit the Bangabandhu and Bashar bases in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.
From the very beginning the BAF has operated MiG-21s – initially of Soviet, today of Chinese production. This monument at headquarters commemorates the operation of the MiG-21MF from 1973 to 1990.
Preparing for flight operations at Bangabandhu (formerly Kurmitola).
F-7BG landing. The aircraft with their eye-catching blue camouflage were delivered in 2005.
Besides fighters, C-130 Hercules transports are also based at Bangabandhu, although they are subordinate to Bashar base.
Until last year the older F-7MBs also flew at Dhaka. In the meantime they have been transferred to Chittagong – apart from some unserviceable examples.
This FT-7MB is likely to move to Chittagong as well after completion of its overhaul.
The FT-7BG-I two-seaters entered service in 2012 together with the F-7 single-seaters of the same version designation.
The FT-7BGs carry the same camouflage as the corresponding single-seaters.
A MiG-29UB and ...
... a MiG-29B of No. 8 Squadron taxi out for take-off.
Two of the BAF's six MiG-29Bs taking off.
Maintenance work on an F-7BG. Bangabandhu base has a spacious maintenance hangar.
The last F-6s (Chinese MiG-19s) were replaced in the BAF by the MiG-29. One of the aircraft stands as gate guardian at Bangabandhu.
Two MiG-21US two-seaters were delivered together with the MiG-21MF. They, too, were retired after the arrival of the F-7 / FT-7 in 1990
As can be seen in the background, BAF Bangabandhu is located on the military side of Dhaka international airport.
Brake chute landing of an F-7BG-I. The aircraft, which entered service in 2013, are the very last series-built MiG-21 single-seaters.
In a flypast, the double-delta wing of the final F-7 variant can be seen clearly.
Bell 212 in a maintenance hangar at Bashar. The BAF participates in numerous UN missions worldwide.
Mi-17s of various versions and ...
... with very different camouflage patterns ...
... are based at the older of the two bases in Dhaka.
In the BAF museum, also at Bashar, besides some Bangladeshi MiG-21s this MiG-21FL is displayed, recalling Indian support for Bangladesh's struggle for independence.
The author thanks all members of the Bangladesh Air Force who made this trip possible.
