Yak-130s for Bangladesh

Delivery of the first Yakovlev Yak-130 jet trainer/light attack aircraft for Bangladesh has taken place, transported onboard an Antonov An-124-100 heavy transport aircraft. The Bangladesh Air Force is buying 16 Yak-130s, which are being built at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. Financing for the deal, which is estimated to be worth around $800 million, is understood to be provided as part of a $1 billion credit agreement between Bangladesh and Russia that was signed in January 2013. Army (PLA), the public debut of CH-5 at the China (Shenzhen) International Unmanned Vehicle Systems Trade Fair indicates that this is a marketing strategy. “We have sold the CH-3 to several foreign nations and now we plan to launch the export version of the CH-5 to the international market. It can perform air-to-ground strike, reconnaissance and transport operations,” stated Shi Wen, chief designer of the CH series at China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics.

CH-5 is produced from composite materials and has a wingspan of 20 metres. With a size twice as big as its previously developed counterparts, the drone can be airborne for upto 40 hours and operate at an altitude of up to 10 km. Compared with other military drones that usually have a maximum take-off weight of less than 1,500 kg, the CH-5 is much more powerful-it is able to fly with a weight of 3,000 kg and carry 900 kg of equipment and weapons.