Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed, the government wants to launch training and research facilities for engineers with the hopes of manufacturing our own aircraft and helicopters one day.

“InshaAllah, one day we’ll be able to produce aircraft, helicopters and warplanes in our country through research. I do believe it. We want to impart training and conduct research accordingly from now,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the President Parade (Winter) 2021 of the Bangladesh Air Force on December 30.

The Prime Minister virtually joined the parade held at Bangladesh Air Force Academy in Jashore from her official residence Ganabhaban.

The government established Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University in Lalmonirhat with a view to modernising aerospace research and further develop the Air Force and the civil aviation sector, the premier added. “We put utmost importance to aerospace research,” noted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Prime Minister mentioned the Air Defence Notification Centre has lately been launched with the name of Air Defence Identification Area over the airspace of Bangladesh. It plays pivotal role in the air defence and security management of the country, she also mentioned.

To help build a digital Bangladesh, a certified tier III data centre was procured for the Air Force, the premier expressed, adding, the installation work for is now underway. “With this data centre, it’ll be possible to perform various activities of the Air Force digitally instead of the traditional method,” said the premier.

She further said that recently a small aperture terminal (VSAT) hub and terminal station have been procured for the Air Force. With the help of Bangabandhu Satellite 1, it will be possible to establish satellite-based communication between Air Force bases and units through the VSAT hub and terminal station.

Now, the country is preparing to procure Bangabandhu Satellite 2 in the days ahead, she added. “Besides, the Air Force will soon have a variety of sophisticated planes, high-powered air defence radars and simulators, ATS simulators, laser-guided bombs and anti-ship missiles. With the addition of the new equipment, I believe that the defence capability of the Air Force will be greatly enhanced,” she urged.