Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has embarked on a major modernisationprogramme aimed at upgrading its fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets. The initiative seeks to restore full operational readiness and extend the service life of the country’s most capable combat aircraft.
Combining fiscal realism with strategic foresight, the upgrade comes amid increasing regional security challenges.
The programme addresses a persistent operational gap, with only six out of twenty RD-33 engines previously functional across the BAF’s fleet of eight MiG-29 aircraft.
To resolve this, the government has entered into a contract with Russian firm JSC NASC for engine refurbishment and life-extension works. This is complemented by a broader upgrade initiative at the JSC 558 Aircraft Repair Plant in Belarus.
The engine overhaul component alone is valued at approximately USD 30.6 million, with payments expected to be completed by the 2027-28 financial year.
The aircraft are being modernised to the MiG-29BM (BolyshayaModernizatsiya) standard – a substantially upgraded multirole variant that significantly enhances both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities. The upgrade includes improved avionics, extended service life, and the integration of precision-guided munitions.
In the current phase, four aircraft previously overhauled in 2019 will remain in service until at least June 2030. The remaining four aircraft are undergoing the same upgrade and are scheduled to re-enter operational service by October 2025, effectively reconstituting a full squadron of modernised fighters.
The MiG-29s continue to serve as the most advanced combat aircraft in Bangladesh’s inventory, surpassing the capabilities of the older F-7BGI/MB interceptors that make up much of the current fleet. The BM-standard aircraft can deploy advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles and precision-guided bombs, thereby enhancing the BAF’s deterrent posture and limited strike capability.
The timing of the upgrade is particularly significant, as Bangladesh’s plans to procure next-generation fighters such as the Chinese J-10CE remain delayed due to budgetary and logistical constraints. The MiG-29BM programme is thus seen as a vital interim measure to maintain core airpower capability while long-term acquisition strategies are developed.
While the upgrade is widely viewed as a necessary step forward, it is not without its challenges. Bangladesh’s reliance on Russian and Belarusian defence firms exposes the programme to potential risks linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the resulting international sanctions.
Furthermore, despite the enhancements, the MiG-29 remains a fourth-generation platform and lacks the stealth, networking, and integrated systems associated with more modern fighter aircraft.
Defence analysts suggest that, even with the current upgrades, the MiG-29BM fleet is likely to remain viable only into the early 2030s. A comprehensive procurement plan for a fifth-generation or advanced fourth-generation multirole fighter will be essential to ensure the BAF’s continued operational effectiveness in the future.
Nonetheless, the present initiative marks a pragmatic and timely step towards preserving Bangladesh’s aerial combat capabilities. More than a technical upgrade, it reflects an institutional effort to ensure continuity and strategic defence planning – areas that have historically been vulnerable to political disruption.
