Published: May 9, 2025, 04:44 PM
The Bangladesh Air Force is grappling with a shortage of functional engines for its MiG-29 fighter jets, as only six out of the 20 engines are operational. With eight MiG-29 jets in total, the Air Force requires at least 16 engines to maintain full operational capacity. To address this, the government is on the brink of finalizing a Tk380 crore deal with Russian company JSC NASC to repair and overhaul the 12 non-functional engines. This deal is crucial to extend the life of the MiG-29 fleet.
Sources revealed that the Air Force has sought approval from the finance ministry to proceed with the repair contract. The payment for the work will be spread over four fiscal years, from the current fiscal year to FY28. The government invited tenders for engine repairs, and four companies participated. JSC NASC was selected as the most qualified and cost-effective option. Initially, the company quoted $34.1 million for the repairs, but after negotiations, the price was reduced to $30.6 million. With additional costs, including VAT and charges, the total comes to around Tk379.68 crore. The Air Force confirmed that the payment will be within the allocated budget.
The Ministry of Defence has given preliminary approval for the contract for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Due to budget limitations, payments will be made in phases over the next four years. Once the finance ministry approves, the contract will be officially signed. In addition to the engine repairs, four of the eight MiG-29 jets underwent major overhauls and modernization in 2019, extending their service life until June 2030. A new contract signed in FY24 will extend similar upgrades to the remaining four jets, which are currently being serviced at a repair plant in Belarus and are expected to be operational by October 2025.
Efforts to repair the engines have faced significant delays, largely due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has hampered supply chains. Bangladesh`s Air Force operates a fleet of 212 aircraft, including 44 fighter jets, with 36 of those being Chinese-made F-7s.
