Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the members of Bangladesh Air Force to maintain professional skills, discipline and patriotism to accomplish the national goals. “It is impossible to achieve the goals without hard work, discipline and patriotism. I hope you will be aware of these and will build yourselves accordingly,” she said. The prime minister was addressing a ceremony marking the induction of ‘GROB G-120 TP’ trainer aircraft into the fleet of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF). She joined the function at BAF Base Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman in Jashore, virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban here. Read: President calls for more US investment in Bangladesh Hasina said Bangladesh believes in peace, not war, as its foreign policy articulately mentioned that friendship to all malice towards none. “But if we are ever attacked, we must acquire the skills to defend our country’s independence and sovereignty,” she said stressing the need for having proper trainings and knowledge about technology, war and all other relevant issues among the members of the Air Force. To ensure better and up-to-date flight training for the future generations of the Air Force, the government has already added the latest Fly-by-Wire and the YAK-130 combat trainer with digital cockpit, K-8W Jet Trainer, L-410 Transport Trainer, AW-119KX Helicopter Trainer and various types of simulator to the force, she said. “In continuation of this, today 12 GROB-120 Trainer Aircraft was inducted into the fleet of the Air Force,” said the prime minister. She said that several more GROB-120 trainer aircraft will be added to the force in the second phase. With the induction of modern GROB-120 aircraft collected from Germany, the aviators of the air force would be very skilled and trained, she hoped. “I always put importance so that every aviator or member of our force would get international standard training,” said the PM.  The Air Force will soon have unmanned aerial vehicle system, air defense system integration, mobile gap filler radar, K-8D aircraft simulator, attack helicopter and various types of military equipment, she said. Following in the footsteps of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, her government had taken initiatives to modernise the Bangladesh Air Force further after coming to power in 1996. Latest airplanes, helicopters, various types of radars, missiles and necessary military hardware have already been added to the Air Force. New bases, units and training institutes have been set up for the force, she said, adding that its infrastructural development also continues. She said the Bangabandhu Aeronautical Center has been set up for the purpose of proper, safe and cost-effective maintenance and overhauling of various types of aircraft, radar and other equipment. The PM said the Bangladesh Air Force is currently overhauling various types of aircraft and helicopters with its own technology and manpower under the supervision of this center. Read: Saudi FM in city; meetings with PM, FM Wednesday “The research that continues with the initiative of the Air Force for making prototype aircraft has made us optimistic,” she said. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University has been established with an aim of modernizing the aerospace research, development of the Air Force and the civil aviation sector. On behalf of the PM, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan handed over the induction order of the GROB-120 aircraft to parade commander group captain Mamunur Rashid at the BAF base in Jashore. A special drill was displayed by a smartly-turned out BAF contingent as well as a fly-past of GROB-120 aircraft was presented by a group of the BAF aviators.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked Biman Bangladesh Airlines to take effective measures to provide world class passenger and cargo services making it more profitable. “For effective and skilled ground handling system we want to create a separate unit. For this training and manpower is needed," she said while addressing the Golden Jubilee anniversary programme of the national carrier. She saie the separate unit is needed as soon as possible so that the government could provide appropriate manpower there for ensuring better passenger services. The programme was held at Balaka Building of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The prime minister joined the programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. She asked the Biman authority to take steps for better ground handling. Hasina said that she wants Biman will internationally conduct its cargo services with its own planes. Read: D8 has huge potential to develop as a strong economic block, says PM “This would bring profits for Biman. At least procurement of two cargo planes is urgently needed, I think that, if you take initiative properly right now, it would be possible to do so,” she said. Biman will be more profitable if its cargo service continues, she added. In this regard she said that establishment of communication along with cargo service with the neighbouring countries is urgently needed. “There is no need to seek profit in all routes,” she said. The PM said that the cargo handling and flight handling will be of international standard. “Passengers must not suffer after getting down from planes. You have to give special attention in this matter,” she directed.