What fighter can you buy for $5.85 million?

[bdmilitary]

Bangladesh government recently signed a deal with the Chinese friends for 16 fighter aircraft. I am wondering what fighter aircraft they have purchased as media reports did not specifically name the fighter models.

What fighter could the BAF possibily purchase if each fighter costs around $5.85 million USD?

Thanks.

*******

Govt to purchase 16 fighters for $93.6m
Staff Correspondent

The government will purchase 16 fighter aircraft from China for $93.6 million, Water Resources Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, in charge of the defence ministry in the parliamentary affairs, informed the Jatiya Sangsad yesterday.

"An agreement was signed in the FY 2004-05 for purchasing the fighter planes from China," Hafiz Uddin said replying to a question of Jatiya Party lawmaker GM Quader. "Each plane will cost $5.85 million," he said.

Hafiz Uddin said purchase of fighter aircraft for the air force is a continuous process. The minister, however, did not elaborate the purchasing process.

The lawmaker concerned did not have scope to raise any supplementary question on the topic as the question-answer session was not held yesterday. The written questions and their replies were distributed.

The previous Awami League (AL) government purchased eight Mig-29 fighter planes from Russia at $123.98 million that raised widespread controversy.

Major (retd) Aktharuzzaman, lawmaker of the then main opposition BNP and also a member of the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry, had instituted a suit in the High Court against the purchase.

The allegations made were: The aircraft were old and hence there had been a misuse of public funds, an advance payment had been made in violation of the terms of the agreement and the purchase process lacked transparency.

Following the suit, the High Court issued a rule nisi on the government and asked it to explain why the purchase agreement should not be declared illegal. Later, it decided that the parliamentary committee should not be prevented from examining the issue and the rule was vacated.

After coming to power, the present government filed corruption cases against the then prime minister, Sheikh Hasina and others, regarding the purchase of the planes.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/02/23/d6022301044.htm

[vincelee]

J-7

blah

[bdmilitary]

Just as i thought, thanks.

[tphuang]

alright, a Chinese article on this, pretty clear the plane is J-7
http://military.china.com/zh_cn/head/83/20060223/13119197.html

孟加拉国营的BSS通讯社报导说，孟加拉代理国防部长阿梅德（Hafizuddin Ahmed）23日在国会中表示，孟加拉已经和中国签署一项9千3百60万美元的合约，将向中国采购16架 喷射战斗机，以供孟加拉空军使用。
　　
　　根据这项合约，孟加拉将采购的战斗机平均每架大约585万美元。虽然阿梅德并没有说明，孟加拉将向中国 采购哪一型战斗机，不过，孟加拉武装部队发言人已经证实是歼七(F-7)系列战斗机。
　　
　　孟加拉和中国的军事关系向来稳固，孟加拉军队当中的许多军事硬体，都是购自中国。中国国务院总理温家宝 去年4月展开首次南亚之行，曾经访问孟加拉首都达卡，并且签署了一份涵盖研发、贸易、经济和国防的协议草案 。中国和孟加拉的贸易持续扩大，今年并且将超越印度，成为孟加拉最大的进口国。

[Fairthought]

Is it the J-7B, J-7E, or J-7G?

If its the J-7G, then $5 million is a bargain.

But its most likely the J-7MG (said to be the export version of the J-7E)

[vincelee]

J-7G is the PLA version of the J-7PG/MG, not exactly a new class.

[adeptitus]

The purchase is likely for used or old surplus stock. Military jet's airframe have usable lifespan of ~3,000 hours, so if the planes are well used, it'd explain the low price. Consider the numerous old Soviet fighters that went for sale on Ebay.

If the aircraft is new, then the purchase is probably subsidized by the PRC government. In a recent Nigerian purchase of 12 F7NI and 3 FT7NI aircraft, the unit cost was $16.73 million each for new aircraft.

[bdmilitary]

The aircraft are most likely to be new because Bangladesh does not buy second hand equipment from China normally. They only purchased the Jianghu class frigate as second hand in the 1980's I think.

It was reported that Bangladesh Air Force personnel visited the Chengdu Aircraft Company plant a few days ago for inspection.

Does anyone know when the JF-17 will be ready for export and the likely price of the aircraft if fitted with Western avionics?

[tphuang]

The aircraft are most likely to be new because Bangladesh does not buy second hand equipment from China normally. They only purchased the Jianghu class frigate as second hand in the 1980's I think.

It was reported that Bangladesh Air Force personnel visited the Chengdu Aircraft Company plant a few days ago for inspection.

Does anyone know when the JF-17 will be ready for export and the likely price of the aircraft if fitted with Western avionics?
I can't imagine any new fighters (even one that is as low-tech as J-7) cost 5.85 million these days. I'm guessing the price then would not be including missiles and training kits and such?

JF-17 will be ready for export probably in 2009 when the full rate production starts. Of course, it will be offered earlier than that. The likely price fitted with Western avionics is not known, since both the plaaf and paf version are slated to use Chinese avionics for the first bunch.

[Red not Dead]

I can't imagine any new fighters (even one that is as low-tech as J-7) cost 5.85 million these days. I'm guessing the price then would not be including missiles and training kits and such?

JF-17 will be ready for export probably in 2009 when the full rate production starts. Of course, it will be offered earlier than that. The likely price fitted with Western avionics is not known, since both the plaaf and paf version are slated to use Chinese avionics for the first bunch.


Actually the MAPO mig was offering their 29A series at 8 mio, guess the j-7 has a lower cost. And the 29A is a way better deal than the J-7 (disregarding the refinment).

[vincelee]

of course then you have to factor in the maintainence cost of the 2 RD-33s, then.......bang bang, you're broke.

[Fairthought]

J-7G is the PLA version of the J-7PG/MG, not exactly a new class.


Sinodefence says the J-7PF/MG is the PLA export version of the J-7E. The J-7E was an upgrade of the J-7B and first flew in 1990. The J-7G is an upgrade of the J-7E and first flew in 2002.

The export version has western electronics protect Chinese avionics from falling into the wrong hands. But the J-7G has some physical modifications as well, not just newer avionics.

The J-7G also features a single-piece curving windscreen in place of the original three-segment windscreen. A new type of communications antenna is located behind the canopy. Additionally the J-7G might also be fitted with hemlet-mounted sight (HMS) for close air combat. As a result of the increased avionics weight, Chengdu engineers had to remove one 30mm cannon onboard, leaving the aircraft with only one cannon (60 rounds).
http://sinodefence.com/airforce/fighter/j7e.asp

[Defense]

http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=14889


Bangladesh has signed a US$93.6 million deal with China to procure 16 fighter jets in a bid to modernize the country’s air force, news agencies reported.

Lieutenant-Colonel Nazrul Islam, spokesman for Bangladesh’s armed forces, told reporters on Thursday that the air force would acquire 16 F-7 fighter jets from China.

Bangladesh purchases much of its military hardware from China.

Bangladesh's air force has 65 fighter planes and 39 helicopters, mostly Soviet-era.

The two countries signed the agreement last year, along with a series of cooperation agreements in the areas of development, trade, economics, and defense.

China is also Bangladesh’s biggest source of imported goods.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DHA246467.htm

[adeptitus]

A short list of PRC aircraft sales to Bangladesh from 1979 to 1990:
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1119/MR1119.appa.pdf
20x A5-A
20x A5-C
38x BT-6 Trainer (JJ-6?)
40x F-6
16x F-7
21x F-7M

Current Bangladesh AF status:
http://www.scramble.nl/bd.htm

Looks like they have 2 active squads of F-7's, 1 squad of A-5, and 1 sqad of Mig-29's.

[bdmilitary]

A short list of PRC aircraft sales to Bangladesh from 1979 to 1990:
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1119/MR1119.appa.pdf
20x A5-A
20x A5-C
38x BT-6 Trainer (JJ-6?)
40x F-6
16x F-7
21x F-7M

Current Bangladesh AF status:
http://www.scramble.nl/bd.htm

Looks like they have 2 active squads of F-7's, 1 squad of A-5, and 1 sqad of Mig-29's.

Scramble is pretty outdated these days when it comes to finding info on the BAF.

The BAF purchased 46 BT-6 (CJ-6) trainers from China for basic training as they are very cheap and new pilots give them a good rating.

Info on BAF CJ-6.

http://www.***************/main/military/air/airforce/aircraft/trainer/baf_trainers_cj6.htm

The BAF has F-7MG: 12 F-7G: 16, whilst the rest are F-7MB (B = Bangladesh).

Our aircraft are updated with Western avionics but basically we purchase a few F-7's every year to replace the older ones and to expand the units.

Major exansion will take place, the BAF is looking at purchasing Su-27/Su-30 because the air force needs to be modernised quickly and also since the defence budget is rising a lot.

Oh yes I forgot to mention, at the peak the BAF actually operated 99 F-6/FT-6 aircraft in the early 1990s before they got retired. The F-6's were mainly imported from China and Pakistan. I believe the Pakistani units were second hand.

Here are some pics of BAF fighters:

http://www.***************/gallery/v/air/baf/fighters/

[bdmilitary]

Govt procuring 16 Chinese F-7 jet fighters with $ 93.60m
Govinda Shil

To accomplish Forces Goal 2020, the Bangladesh government is procuring 16 Chinese F-7 jet fighters at a cost of US$ 93.60 million, said a reliable source.

The aircraft will land in Dhaka's military airfield flying from China via Myanmar, sometime next month. The fighter planes will be used for air defense purposes. They are equipped with airborne interception radars.
The features of the fighters could be compared with Russian made MIG 29, which is multi functional military aircraft and expensive.

Each of these fighters will cost US$ 5.85 million, according to an AFX (news agency) report.

Negotiation with the Chinese government had started nearly three years ago and continued until last year when a deal was finalised.

Bangladesh government will pay the amount, of which Tk 5.0 billion will come from Bangladesh Air Force budget. In a unique instance, Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Navy are also contributing to this purchase, the source added.

Parliamentary standing committee on defense is currently reviewing the Forces Goal 2020, fist time designed in the history of the country's national security.

The Forces Goal assesses the strength of the country's enemy forces and advises appropriate measures. Bangladesh will continue to add strength to its air force by procuring more fighters. These F-7 jets are mostly defensive in nature and are able to carry four missiles each.

Bangladesh Air Force is comprised of six squadrons, of which four are defensive and two offensive, said the source. These squadrons require reshuffling, as they are equipped with old fighters such as MIG 21 and old-type F-7 and scanty arsenals, the source pointed out.

Some 20 pilots and 30 technicians are being trained in China to operate these aircraft. Out of these 16 jets, four would be used for training purposes, and, therefore, are equipped with two cockpits.

The source claimed that China was giving huge discounts for this purchase as a goodwill gesture. According to him, the actual market price of such a jet will not be less than US$ 10 million.

The fighters are featured with radar warning receivers, heat sensors and multi target acquisitions.
"We need more aircraft that can be used for air strikes," the source said adding the country also needs more surface-to-air missiles, considering its geopolitical location.
Link (http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3....d=16994&spcl=no)

[KYli]

Yes, it will probably cost more than 10 million for each F7, so it is not suprising there are huge discount involved. But I think China wants to show goodwill to Bangadesh for long term partnership, so it is worth the effort.

[bdmilitary]

Yes, it will probably cost more than 10 million for each F7, so it is not suprising there are huge discount involved. But I think China wants to show goodwill to Bangadesh for long term partnership, so it is worth the effort.

Chinese companies get infrastructure project contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars so that's why China is always inclined on having good relationship with Bangladesh.

[KYli]

Chinese companies get infrastructure project contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars so that's why China is always inclined on having good relationship with Bangladesh.

True, the relationship go both way. So China get the benefit for getting infrastructure project, and Bangladesh will get discount on their military purchase.

[bdmilitary]

True, the relationship go both way. So China get the benefit for getting infrastructure project, and Bangladesh will get discount on their military purchase.

The Bangladesh military purchased quite a few things from China lately:

* QW-2 SAM
* License to manufacture Type 81 rifles
* Complete 155 mm SPH regiment
* Negotiating about shipbuilding

http://www.***************/main/reports/news/2006/news_2006_03.htm

[tphuang]

well, an update to this situation. It looks like the purchase was done last year, since the first 8 of the 16 have already been delivered. The J-7 assembly line should be done after this order + the remaining plaaf orders. I'm guessing it's getting converted into a JF-17 line.
http://mil.jschina.com.cn/Get/air/04062251307.htm
A picture of F-7BG flying in March 29th.
http://mil.jschina.com.cn/up/up/2006462250190.jpg

[forjustice]

I think I can buy a J-6 with $5.85 million.:)

[eecsmaster]

the beast?

you know, a lot of people who've actually flown both the -19 and the 21 prefer the -19 for its raw acceleration.

[DumLoco]

There are new planes then? Very good price...

I remember when here in Argentina, to replace the planes we loose in the Malvinas war, the traitor and corrupt Menem administration got 36 refurbished A4M Skyhawks from the US by the price of 280 million USD...
That's like almost 8 million for each of that old shitty planes, 50's technology that can't even go supersonic...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A4AR
And in the play, the FMA was sold to Lockheed Martin :(
God, i get mad when i think of it...

So, i think the price of these new J7s is incredible.