To ensure rapid communication in remote areas, carry out critical missions, and support search and rescue operations, the Aviation Wing of Bangladesh Police was established. Four police officers received pilot training, and a team of skilled personnel was trained for aircraft and helicopter maintenance. Additionally, around five years ago, the government signed a deal with the Russian company “JSC Russian Helicopters” to purchase two helicopters for the wing. However, due to U.S. sanctions on Russia, it has not been possible to take delivery of the helicopters.
Despite all preparations, the Aviation Wing has yet to participate in any operation due to the lack of helicopters. The trained officers remain idle year after year, raising concerns about skill deterioration. Experts say the government should consider canceling the old deal and move forward with a new agreement to procure helicopters. Otherwise, the investment of both money and effort into this specialized wing would go to waste.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Bangladesh Police shared, “Police officers are often injured during riot control or violent clashes. There’s currently no helicopter in the force to evacuate critically injured officers from remote areas to Dhaka or other cities for advanced treatment. As a result, some of them die on the way due to lack of timely medical care. Helicopters are also needed for operational and counter-terror missions. That’s why the Aviation Wing was created—to provide modern services aligned with global standards.”
According to the police headquarters, in July 2021, four officers began their basic training at the Army Aviation School to learn to fly helicopters. The trainees—Md Mushfiqul Haque, Sarwar Hossain, Fatema Tuz Zohra, and Abul Hossain—trained alongside 10 officers from the army and navy. They completed the ‘solo flight’ course, which involves flying without a co-pilot. After undergoing extensive mental, physical, and aptitude evaluations, these four ASPs were cleared to sit in the pilot’s seat of an aircraft. In addition, two more police officers received helicopter pilot training through the Army Aviation. Several sub-inspectors and constables also received training in helicopter maintenance by joining the RAB Air Wing.
The Cabinet approved the proposal to buy helicopters for the police’s aviation wing on 27 October of 2021. Just a few weeks later, on 19 November, the force signed a contract with JSC Russian Helicopters to purchase two MI-171A2s at a price of BDT 4.28 billion, plus a BDT 5 million operational expense.
The MI-171A2 can cruise at up to 280 km per hour and stay on the air for roughly 800 km on one load of fuel. Each machine can haul up to 5 tons. However, the model is not designed for combat missions.
After the deal, the Russian company invited a police delegation to inspect its plant. The trip did not take place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then the delivery date has been reset several times, only to be pushed back again and again.
The police officers who took part in the training explain, “Solo flight means completing a 15-minute circuit. That means taking off from the runway, climbing to 1,000 feet altitute, flying a circuit, and then landing down. Landing is the trickiest part. If anything goes wrong, you fly the circuit again and try another approach. The manoeuver is polished through constant practice. Although the training has been completed, regular flight practice is not possible because the Police Aviation Wing’s helicopters haven’t been included yet.”
Aviation specialists note that a “solo flight” is only the first rung on the ladder: it teaches the basics of take-off and landing. Several additional stages must be mastered through day-to-day flying. Because piloting skills fade without regular practice, the longer these officers remain grounded, the more their hard-earned proficiency risks slipping away.
Kazi Wahidul Alam, an aviation specialist and former Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ board-member, told Bonik Barta, “Pilot training is extremely expensive. After such training, there is no scope to keep the pilots sitting idle. This wastes both money and effort.”
He likened the current situation to buying the whip before the horse, adding, “The problem has arisen because of weak planning. The whole project now needs to be reviewed to see whether the police force really requires such a wing at all. And, if so, to what extent. Everything has to be reassessed, because buying helicopters is only the first step; their upkeep is very costly.”
Officers of the Police Aviation Wing added that even though the pilots have completed a year-long basic course, they still need trial flights on the helicopters being procured. For the first few days, those aircraft should be flown by Army Aviation instructors, with the police pilots sitting beside them as co-pilots.
Enamul Haque Sagor, Police Headquarters’ Superintendent (Media & Public Relations), told Bonik Barta, “The two helicopters were originally due in 2023 but were delayed. The manufacturer has now said they will be delivered in July and August. We hope the aircraft will join the police aviation fleet on schedule.”