A stepping stone for domestic high-end manufacturing

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday officially inaugurated the first training aircraft manufactured by the country's air force. The Bangladesh Air Force's first Bangabandhu Basic Trainer (BBT) aircraft was unveiled during the Military Hardware Display 2024, held on Sunday at the Tejgaon Airfield of BAF Base Bashar.
The Prime Minister was warmly welcomed on the occasion by Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, the Chief of Air Staff, reports UNB.
The development of the Bangabandhu Training Aircraft (BBT) commenced in January 2020 under the auspices of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU).
This initiative was propelled by the visionary idea that Bangladesh can produce aircraft.
Under the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and guided by the motto "Free Shall we keep the Sky of Bangladesh", the Bangladesh Air Force successfully manufactured its first Trainer Aircraft BBT-1, which completed its maiden flight on 12 February 2023.
Following this, the advanced model BBT-2 was developed to meet specific training requirements, with both models benefiting from the extensive experience of the BAF's engineers and technicians in aviation and aerospace maintenance and operations, according to an ISPR media release.
On 26 October 2023, BBT-2 completed its first maiden flight. It is noteworthy that these aircraft allow for side-by-side pilot seating and are equipped with
a modern instrument parameter monitoring system that provides essential flight information for safe flying.
BBT-2 can reach a top speed of 250 km/h at an altitude of 20,000 feet, with a maximum take-off weight of 500 kg. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Bangladesh Air Force, positioning it on the path towards self-reliance in military hardware design and production.
It is felt that the fabrication of this aircraft represents a pivotal step towards realizing the Prime Minister's vision of a Smart Bangladesh.
The ceremony was also attended by other high-ranking military and civilian officials.