Bangladesh will build fighter planes: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her confidence on building fighter planes in Bangladesh in future. She said this while speaking at the induction ceremony of L-410 Transport Trainer Aircraft at BAF Base Bashar at Tejgaon in the capital this morning

"I hope that we would be able to build fighter planes in our own initiative in future Insha Allah," she said.

The prime Minister said the Awami League government always gave special importance to the development of Bangladesh Air Force and welfare of the members of the force and this trend of development would continue.

In that connection she mentioned that a YAK-130 Advanced Jet Trainer and a Mi-171SH helicopter are being inducted in Bangladesh Air Force soon under a loan protocol from Russia.

She said the government earlier bought three Mi-171SH helicopters from Russia and recently completed the process of induction of four more such choppers under the loan protocol from the same country.

Sheikh Hasina said purchasing one Mi-171E helicopter from Russia is under process, while two Agusta Westland helicopters are being added to make more dynamic the Maritime Search and Rescue.

"We would be able to build Bangladesh Air Force as a strong and effective force strategically in the golden jubilee of the country`s independence through its further modernisation Insha Allah," she said.

The Prime Minister was given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Air Force on her arrival at the venue.

Sheikh Hasina took salute and handed over the "Induction Order" Wing Commander Rashed Ahmed Siddique.

Later, the Prime Minister cut a cake on the occasion of the induction
of newly inducted three L-410 Transport Trainer Aircraft made by Czech Republic. She also boarded one of the aircraft and visited its different sections.

PM`s Political Affairs Advisor HT Imam, Security Advisor Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral M Farid Habib, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Mohammad Enamul Bari, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Defence Major General (retd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan, former minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, MP, and former state minister Mahbubur Rahman, MP, and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

Earlier on her arrival at BAF Base, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Mohammad Enamul Bari and Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Bashar, Air Vice Marshal M Naim Hasan.

SRJ