Bangladesh's troubled skies: The Yak‑130 dilemma unfolds
Bangladesh faces significant challenges with Russian Yak-130 jets. Within nearly a decade of operation, the Asian nation has lost 25% of its entire fleet of these aircraft. This article delves into the design of the Yak-130 and explores potential reasons for such issues within the Bangladesh Air Force.
The Yak-130 is a Russian jet trainer aircraft produced by the Irkut Corporation Falcon Aircraft Plant. It took its maiden flight in 1996 but was only showcased to the world in 2005, making it relatively modern in aviation.
The Yak-130 measures just under 39 feet long, with a wingspan of approximately 32 feet. Its takeoff weight is around 7.8 tons. Equipped with two AI-222-25 turbojet engines, it enables pilots to achieve speeds up to about 1000 kilometres per hour and a maximum altitude of nearly 13,000 meters.
On May 8, 2024, a video surfaced on social media of a Yak-130 from Bangladesh crashing. A fire onboard has been cited as the cause of the crash, but detailed conclusions await the analysis of the wreckage.
The Ukrainian Defence Express, which focuses on military topics, highlighted that this incident isn't isolated. Multiple accidents have occurred in Russia, and one in Belarus (in 2021), yet Bangladesh's experience with the aircraft seems particularly plagued by misfortune.
In 2014, discussions of an approximately 800 million-dollar deal between Moscow and Dhaka were publicized. The deal involved 16 Yak-130 jets with an option for an additional 10 units. However, this expansion was not realized, partly due to delays in the initial delivery.
Challenges in Bangladesh's air capabilities
The loss of a Yak-130 jet on May 8, 2024, marks the third incident in Bangladesh. Considering all the incidents, the country's air force lost four aircraft. In one instance in 2017, two aircraft were destroyed in a single event. This represents a quarter of the planes Bangladesh has received.
Defence Express comments on the visibly poor quality of these Russian-made aircraft, suggesting that the frequent accidents cannot all be attributed to chance or pilot error.
Bangladesh's prolonged wait for delivery has been frustrating, and following these losses, the country is likely contemplating alternative sources for future acquisitions. Given the cooling relations with Russia, exemplified by the halted discussions over Mi-28NE helicopters, Bangladesh's next steps in military procurement are uncertain.
