Does anybody have updated info on Bangladesh's Mig-29s purchased in 1998? According to Scramble all the Fulcrums are grounded just wanted to know if this changed? Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina will stand trial on charges of receiving kickbacks in the purchase of Russian-built Mig-29 combat aircraft when she was in office in February 1999. Seems like a very poor country was Pakistan or another country threatening them, why the need for Fulcrums?

Story I found
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryP...to+stand+trial

Scramble link to their air force
http://www.scramble.nl/bd.htm

It always surprises me that governments buy these weapons yet can hold a begging bowl to feed it's people

Originally Posted by LeEnfield

It always surprises me that governments buy these weapons yet can hold a begging bowl to feed it's people

Thats what I wanted to tell. It always suprises me too .Good point.

In Africa their are countries that have bought Flankers and Fulcrums too instead of food or medical supplies. A good rule of thumb is double the cost of the aircraft price for a years operational cost. Western fighters because of their higher prices are closer to triple the cost of the aircraft. It's less if the jet stays in the hanger and is never used but overall semi modern fighters are big money items maintenance and up keep wise. In Scramble it listed that: Bangladesh is at the receiving end of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers where they pour into the Bay of Bengal. Fifty-four rivers flow into the country making it the largest deltaic region in the world. The disastrous river floods of 1987 and 1988 inundated 40 and 60% of the country, respectively.
I can't even imagine what 54 rivers look like running into a mid or small size country. I would think military wise an inner navy would be more helpful then Mig-29s. Can somebody tell me who might Bangladesh's enemies be just so understand the region a little better. Myanmar next store also bought Mig-29s and a bunch of older Chinese attack jets A-5, much of aren't flying because of poor construction. They seemed displeased with the Chinese made aircraft bought in the past. Thanks

Originally Posted by LeEnfield

It always surprises me that governments buy these weapons yet can hold a begging bowl to feed it's people

Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, Syria, North Korea, Burma, Sudan.... and countless other countries where people's lives aint matter. But weapons matter and therefore they waste their money on weapons.