BAF says base in Dhaka 'indispensable' for national air defence

The Bangladesh Air Force has defended the presence of a fighter-jet base in Dhaka, saying it is essential for the country's air defence and in line with strategic and operational requirements typical of capital cities around the world, reports bdnews24.com.

The comment follows mounting public scrutiny after an Air Force F-7BGI fighter jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Diabari area on Jul 21, killing 34 people, mostly children, in one of the deadliest military aviation disasters in Bangladesh's history.

On Monday, Air Commodore Mohammad Sahidul Islam, director of air operations, said: "Due to the capital's strategic and operational necessity, a fighter jet base in Dhaka is indispensable for defending the country's airspace."

Following the crash, questions have been raised over the safety of the Chinese-built F-7BGI jet.