IAF gifts 1971 war helicopter to Bangladesh, gets F-86 fighter as return gift!

New Delhi, Feb 27: Commemorating 50 years of defeating Pakistan in the Ind-Pak 1971 war, Indian Air Force ( IAF ) Chief RKS Bhadauria gifted a legacy Alouette III helicopter to Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and got a legacy F-86 Sabre aircraft as a return gift from Dhaka.

 

 

"To mark the Golden Jubilee of 1971 War of Liberation, IAF chief RKS Bhadauria gifted a legacy Alouette III helicopter to the Bangladesh Air Force. Bangladesh Air Force chief too gifted an F-86 Sabre aircraft that had been restored by BAF after the 1971 war. Both legacy aircraft will find a place of pride in museums on both sides," IAF stated in a tweet.

 

 

The exchange of aircraft took place in Dhaka during the four-day trip of Bhadauria to Bangladesh where he visited different airbases and interacted with the top military leadership of that country. On his trip, he paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at 32 Dhanmondi as Bangladesh is commemorating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation this year.

 

 

On Wednesday, CAS met his Bangladeshi counterpart and was accorded a Guard of Honour followed by discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral Air Force level ties. Chiefs expressed satisfaction on significant progress made in cooperation & agreed to further enhance engagements.

 

He also met Gen Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh. "Acknowledging the strong bonds of friendships that armed forces on both sides had forged during and after the 1971 War of Liberation, the Chiefs discussed ways to further enhance matters of bilateral cooperation," the IAF said.

 

 

On Tuesday, IAF chief laid a wreath at 'Shikha Anirban' (the eternal flame) & paid tributes to the braves of Bangladesh Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice during the Liberation War of 1971. The CAS & delegation also visited BAF base Zahrul Haque later that day, where they were received by the AOC. He also visited flying units & interacted with BAF aircrew & personnel.

 

 

India and Bangladesh are celebrating 50 years of the liberation war in which the Pakistan Army was thrown out of Bangladesh and 90,000 of their troops were made to surrender. A number of events are being organised by both countries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the decisive war