PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurates YAK-130 trainer, AW139 helicopter in BAF

The prime minister said this while addressing the induction ceremony of advanced training jets YAK-130 and modern search and rescue helicopter AW139 in the Bangladesh Air Force at a function at Bangabandhu Airbase here today.

The YAK-130, a 4th plus generation combat training aircraft produced in Russia is equipped with integrated navigation system, attack system and Digital Fly-by-Wire flight control systems. The aircraft is able to operate even during adverse weather condition irrespective of day and night.

The Italian Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter features a leading edge technology including fully integrated avionics and 4 axis digital Auto Flight Control systems. The helicopter is equipped with a high definition Forward Looking Infrared system, Direction Finder, Night Vision Goggles, Search Light, Hoist Kit, Float Kit and Augmented Hover Mode for sea search and rescue operation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said people of Bangladesh always should remember that they are the citizens of a victorious nation, which never bows or concedes defeat to others.

"We will live in the world keeping our head high, and we have to build up everything in this order despite our constraint of resources," she said.

"Limitation of resources cannot be a barrier if we are guided by self-confidence and sense of self-dignity," she said adding that Bangladesh would go ahead with dignity and confidence and make its position in the world. Bangladesh implements its ninety percent of national budget with its own resources, she noted.

On the occasion an attracting parade was arranged. The prime minister inspected the parade and took salute. She handed over the induction order of AW-139 to its officer commanding BAF Wing Commander M Abbas Ali and induction order of YAK-130 to its officer commanding BAF Wing Commander Hasan Ashrafuzzaman.

After the parade the prime minister witnessed the flying display of the aircraft and helicopter and static display of the newly inducted training aircraft. She also visited the overhauling activities of the Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre.

Air chief Air Marshal Abu Asrer and Commander of Bangabandhu Air Base Air Commodore M Obaidur Rahman received the Prime Minister on her arrival at the base.

Members of the cabinet, PM's advisors, navy chief, principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division, defence secretary, foreign diplomats and senior military and civil officials were present.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that five new MI-171SH helicopter and 12 PT-6 training jets would be added to BAF very soon. "The advanced training jets are being procured to create competent crews able to operate fighter planes," she said.

She hoped that the YAK-130 trainers would reduce risk of the trainees and help BAF to provide modern training to its crews and move forward. "The AW139 helicopter would help conducting search and rescue operation across the long coast of the country during inclement weather," she said.

Highlighting the steps taken by her government for modernization of the Air Force the prime minister said the Awami League government procured first most sophisticated MIG-29 supersonic fighter, wide bodied C-130 cargo planes and high power air defence radar system for BAF after coming to power in 1996.

In the course of time, she said, F-7 BGI fighter, Mi-171 SH helicopter, modern air defense missile SAM FM 90 were inducted in the BAF. Bangbandhu aeronautical centre has been constructed for overhauling of all types of aircraft and Bangabandhu Airbase and Cox's Bazar Airbase were built as full fledged bases.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government along with development of the country's defense side, has attached importance to economic prosperity of the nation.

She said the economy of the country has got momentum. Bangladesh is now recognized as a role model of development to international community. Over the last seven and a half years the country has achieved remarkable progress in all human index, she said.

During the tenure of her government, she said, the poverty rate reduced to 22.4 percent which we have targeted to reduce to 14 percent by 2021. Despite global meltdown Bangladesh could achieve over six percent growth over the years while foreign reserve has been increased six times. The government has ensured food security of the people and safeguarded their social security, she said.

The prime minister said her government's prime objective is to giving every people a prosperous life so that they can lead life decently. "The more country's economy would be strengthened the more we would be able to take steps for new acquisition in the armed forces," she said.