Bangladesh purchased eight MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jets in 1999 in a $115 million deal. The aircraft were delivered in two batches: four in December 1999 and the remaining four in February 2000. These MiG-29s were intended to supplement Bangladesh’s ageing fleet of MiG-21 and F-6 fighters.
Initially, 16 MiG-29s were planned to be ordered, including a single-seater MiG-29 (9.12B) and a two-seater MiG-29UB (9.51). The two-seat version of the MiG-29 is called the MiG-29UB, which stands for “Training and Battle.” It is used for training, with a second pilot seat in the rear for the instructor.
Later, the deal was reduced because the BNP-led government raised corruption issues with the deal. Former Prime Minister and Bangladeshi dictator Sheikh Hasina was prosecuted for receiving $4 million bribe for the deal.
Four MiG-29s were overhauled, modernised, and extended their service life in 2019. A new contract was supposed to be issued in FY2024 to cover similar upgrades for the remaining four, but a massive corruption claim by the former air force chief, Hannan, led to the MiGs being grounded.
According to Business Standard News Bangladesh, only six of the 20 Mig engines Bangladesh purchased in 2000 are operational. The Bangladesh Air Guard can not operate the Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter aircraft as the organisation does not have any pilot training program. Bangladesh air guard is riddled with corruption, dysfunctional management, and ageing infrastructure.
Bangladesh has spent nearly three years trying to repair its non-functional MiG-29 engines, but the Russia-Ukraine war has hampered its efforts.
The estimated total pay range for a Flying Officer at the Bangladesh Air Guard is BDT 22,000–BDT 29,000 per month, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average base salary is BDT 23,000 per month.
Despite this handsome salary, Bangladesh Air Guard officers were sent to UN peacekeeping missions as soldiers and seconded to the Rapid Action Battalion for policing duties, where they make more money through corruption and extortion.
These secondment duties are the main reason Bangladeshi flying officers take this job lightly and focus on RAB duties and lose their specialised skills, crashing many F-7, Yak-130 and K-8 aircraft.
According to the court petition, during his tenure, former air chief Shaikh Abdul Hannan allegedly abused his power for personal gain, engaged in bribery and irregular recruitment processes, and embezzled funds through various corrupt practices.
A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on former Bangladesh Air Guard Chief Air Marshal (retired) Shaikh Abdul Hannan and three family members, following a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The move comes amid an ongoing probe into serious allegations, including abuse of power, bribery, mismanagement of state funds, recruitment irregularities, and amassing illegal wealth.
The ACC acted swiftly after receiving intelligence that Hannan and his family planned to leave the country. As the investigation proceeds under scrutiny, the ban applies to Hannan’s wife, son, and daughter.
This case could significantly affect Bangladesh’s civil-military accountability and institutional transparency.
© 2025, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
