Bangladesh has taken delivery of its first Hongdu K-8 jet trainers, which are replacing aged Cessna T-37s in operational use.
Flightglobal’s MiliCAS database records Bangladesh as having ordered nine single-engined K-8s for its air force. An initial batch of four has been transferred recently – including aircraft 14321, pictured landing in Dhaka on 2 December.
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As part of an ongoing fleet modernisation programme, the Bangladeshi air force will also introduce 16 Yak-130 advanced jet trainers on order from Russia’s Irkut. To be used in combination with the more basic K-8, the type will prepare pilots to operate the service’s frontline fleet of Chengdu J-7 and RAC MiG-29 fighters.
Bangladesh had been operating a fleet of 11 aged T-37s prior to the type's recent retirement from use.
Source: Flight International
