PM asks air force to maintain discipline, patriotism to achieve goal

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Wednesday) asked the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) personnel to be aware of hard work, discipline and patriotism to attain any goal.

"Achieving goals is impossible without hard work, discipline and patriotism. I hope you will be conscious of this," she said.

The premier made this remark while addressing the induction ceremony of GROB-120 TP aircraft to BAF at the Air Force Base Bir Shreshtho Flt Lt Matiur Rahman, Jashore, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital.

She said, "The main identity of the professionals is their professional skills . . . there is no substitute for professionalism and honesty."

The head of the government said they have already inducted state-of-the-art
Fly-by-wire, YAK-130 Combat trainer with digital cockpit feature, K-8W Jet
Trainer, L-410 Transport Trainer, AW-119KX Helicopter Trainer and different
types of simulators to ensure better and up-to-date aviation training for
future generations of BAF.

In continuation of this, she said today, 12 GROB-120 training aircraft are
going to be included in the BAF.

In the second phase within this year, she said 14 more GROB-120 training
aircraft will be added to the fleet of the force.

The premier said that through all these inclusions, the capability of BAF was
further enhanced, adding, "I firmly believe that the state-of-the-art GROB-
120 training aircraft will play an effective role in the timely training of
the young pilots."

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System, Air Defense System Integration, Mobile Gap
Filler Radar, K-8W Aircraft Simulator, Attack Helicopters and various
military equipment would be incorporated to the air force as soon as
possible, she continued.

Sheikh Hasina urged the BAF members to be very diligent in flying and
maintenance of this valuable GROB-120 training aircraft collected with the
hard earned money of the people.

On behalf of the prime minister, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh
Abdul Hannan handed over the induction order of the GROB-120 aircrafts to
parade commander Group Captain Mamunur Rashid at the BAF base in Jashore.

In the function, a smartly-turned out BAF contingent staged a special drill
while a fly-past of GROB-120 aircrafts was displayed by BAF aviators.

Earlier, the prime minister witnessed the eye-catching fly past of the Grob
G-120 TP training aircrafts.

Referring to foreign policy of the country, the prime minister said
Bangladesh is a peace-loving nation and it never wants war with any country.

But if attacked by any external enemy, the air force of the country must
have the capability to safeguard and protect Bangladesh, she added.

In this regard, Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for time befitting and
modern training of the air force personnel to further enhance their capacity
as they will have to work with foreign forces in the international arena.

She mentioned the Bangabandhu’s "Defense Policy" in 1974, saying the modern
and strong air force's journey began through the incorporation of state-of-
the-art supersonic MiG-21, AN-24 transport aircraft, Mi-8 helicopters and air
defense radars in the light of that policy as well as Bangabandhu's far-
sighted and strong decision.

Following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation, the premier said the
Awami League government is putting relentless efforts to make BAF stronger
and more up-to-date.

She said BAF has already been equipped with state-of-the-art aircraft,
helicopters, various types of radars, missiles and necessary military
equipment along with new bases, units and training institutes.

Infrastructural development of the air force is also continuing, she said,
adding Bangabandhu Aeronautical Center has been set up for proper, safe and
cost-effective maintenance and overhauling of various types of aircraft,
radars and other equipment.

She continued the BAF is currently upgrading various types of aircraft and
helicopters with its own technology and manpower under the supervision of
this center.

She went on saying that the recent research conducted by BAF to manufacture
prototype aircraft in the country has made us optimistic.

The prime minister said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and
Aerospace University has been established aimed at modernizing the aerospace
research, development of the air force and the civil aviation sector.

She said the dream of the Father of the Nation was to have a modern and
international standard training academy for the country's military and people
from all over the world would come to see it.

She said today's newly built military academy, naval academy and air force
academy are the parts of materialisation of his dream.

She said the members of BAF representing Bangladesh in various UN missions
have brought huge pride and admiration for the country and the nation.

The premier also praised the BAF as they have set a precedent through their
innovative ability and systematic approach to deal with the Corona pandemic.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan was present at the
function.

Source: BSS

AH