BD set to buy European fighter jets

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) on Tuesday signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Italy-based defence company Leonardo S.p.A. to procure Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role combat aircrafts, marking a major step in the modernisation of the force.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate announced the development in a press release on Tuesday.

Mentionable, the Typhoon is produced by a joint consortium of UK, Germany, Italy and Spain. Even though the aircraft is a fourth-generation fighter jet, it can beat the US-made fifth-generation F-35s in a dogfight due to its superior speed.

The LOI signing ceremony was held at Air Force Headquarters in the presence of Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and the Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro.

Under the LOI, Leonardo S.p.A. will supply Eurofighter Typhoon jets to the Bangladesh Air Force. The aircrafts are intended to be integrated into the Air Force’s modern multi-role combat fleet for frontline operational duties.

Senior officials from the Armed Forces Division, along with representatives from Italy, were also present at the event.