Bangladesh Navy to receive K-8W, Mi-171Sh aircraft

The Bangladesh Navy will take delivery of nine K-8W training aircraft from China by the end of 2014.
The K-8W aircraft will be used to train pilots at the naval aviation command in Chittagong. The aircraft is currently is service with the Bolivian and Venezuelan air forces.
Besides the K-8W aircraft, the Bangladesh Navy is also anticipating the delivery of five Mi-171Sh multirole medium helicopters. The aircraft were procured from Russia under are likely to be inducted by 2015 for maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue operations.
The Bangladesh Navy established a naval aviation command in July 2011 to strengthen its maritime capabilities, with an initial force of two AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters. Since then, it has taken delivery of two Dornier 228 NG maritime patrol aircraft and is now awaiting the delivery of three Harbin Z-9 helicopters from China, and the five Russian Mi-171Sh helicopters.
The delivery of nine K-8W trainers may also signal the navy's intent of ultimately operating jet-powered fixed-wing aircraft.
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