Bangladesh Air Force Academy Jashore: History & Training

Last updated: 16 October 2026

Bangladesh Air Force Academy Jashore, commonly known as BAFA, is the principal officer-training academy of the Bangladesh Air Force. It is located at BAF Base Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman in Jashore and trains prospective pilots, ground-branch officer cadets and other under-training Air Force officers.

BAFA is not a conventional school or college offering direct public admission. Candidates normally reach the academy after applying to an official Bangladesh Air Force officer-cadet recruitment circular and completing the prescribed selection process.

Bangladesh Air Force Academy at a Glance

Official name	Bangladesh Air Force Academy
Bangla name	বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী একাডেমি
Abbreviation	BAFA
Institution type	Bangladesh Air Force officer-training academy
Location	BAF Base Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman, Jashore, Bangladesh
Academic affiliation	Bangladesh University of Professionals; relevant engineering study is also associated with MIST
Official academy website	bafa.baf.mil.bd
Official recruitment portal	joinairforce.baf.mil.bd
Map	View the general location on Google Maps

Official Location

The Bangladesh Air Force identifies the academy as being located at BAF Base Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman in Jashore. The base and academy form a controlled military establishment, so a map link should be treated only as general location guidance.

Open the general BAFA Jashore location in Google Maps

Visitors should not assume that public entry is available. Any official visit, event attendance or document-related appointment must follow the instructions and security requirements issued by the Bangladesh Air Force.

History of Bangladesh Air Force Academy

The academy’s development began after Bangladesh’s Liberation War, when the need for an independent institution to train future Air Force officers became clear.

1974: Academic and training activities began under the Cadets’ Training Unit, or CTU, at Kurmitola in Dhaka.
1977: The unit moved to Jashore and became the Cadets’ Training Wing.
1982: The training wing was upgraded to the full Bangladesh Air Force Academy.
1984: A BSc in Aeronautics programme was introduced under the University of Rajshahi.
1993: The academic affiliation was transferred to the National University.
2008: The academy’s academic programmes were placed under the Bangladesh University of Professionals.

The academy has continued to develop its military, academic, flying and leadership-training capabilities while remaining part of the wider Bangladesh Air Force training system.

What Does BAFA Do?

BAFA prepares officer cadets and under-training officers for commissioned service in the Bangladesh Air Force. Its role combines military discipline, academic education, leadership development, physical conditioning and branch-specific professional training.

The academy trains both prospective pilots and cadets intended for ground branches. A candidate’s eventual branch, course structure and training requirements depend on the applicable recruitment circular, selection outcome and Bangladesh Air Force policy.

Training Areas

Training at the academy can include several interconnected areas:

General military and service training
Leadership and character development
Physical training and drill
Academic education
Basic flying training for applicable cadets
Technical and professional instruction
Communication, teamwork and decision-making

Exact course content, duration and branch allocation are official military matters and may change. Candidates should rely on the current recruitment circular and instructions issued during selection.

Academic Programmes and Affiliation

Bangladesh University of Professionals lists BAFA as an affiliated Air Force institution in Jashore. The programmes identified by BUP include:

BSc (Honours) in Aeronautics
BBA
BSc Engineering
Three-year BSc in Aeronautics

BUP also states that the academy has conducted a BSc Engineering programme associated with the Military Institute of Science and Technology. Programme titles and curricula can be revised, so current cadets should follow the official academic instructions applicable to their course.

Flying and Ground-Branch Training

The Bangladesh Air Force Academy does more than train pilots. It prepares officer cadets for flying and ground-based professional responsibilities within the Air Force.

Flying Training

Applicable officer cadets receive progressive aviation instruction, including ground preparation and flying training. Modern training aircraft and simulators are used as part of the training system.

Ground-Branch Training

Ground-branch cadets may be prepared for technical, administrative, logistical and other professional responsibilities. The branches available in any particular recruitment cycle must be confirmed from that cycle’s official circular.

Recent Training Activity

An official Inter-Services Public Relations report states that the Winter 2025 President Parade for No. 87 BAFA Course, Direct Entry 2025B and SPSSC 2025B was held at the academy in Jashore.

The report recorded that 40 officer cadets, including eight female officer cadets, were commissioned during the parade. It also noted the use of modern training aircraft and simulators and reported that 30 foreign flight cadets had completed training at the academy by that time.

These figures describe a specific 2025 event and should not be treated as the academy’s total current enrolment.

How to Apply for Officer-Cadet Recruitment

Students do not normally submit a general admission form directly to BAFA. The correct route is to apply against an active Bangladesh Air Force officer-cadet recruitment circular.

Visit the official Join Bangladesh Air Force portal.
Locate the current officer-cadet or BAFA course circular.
Read the branch-specific educational, age, physical and medical requirements.
Complete the official online application while the circular remains open.
Download and retain the application or admit document as instructed.
Attend the selection stages specified in the circular.
Follow only the final instructions issued through official Bangladesh Air Force channels.

Application deadlines, fees, available branches and eligibility rules vary between recruitment cycles. Information from an older circular should not be used for a current application.

Typical Selection Stages

The precise sequence must be checked in the active circular. Depending on the course and branch, the process may include:

Initial application screening
Written or aptitude testing
Preliminary medical examination
Interview or preliminary viva
Inter Services Selection Board assessment, where applicable
Final medical examination
Branch-specific assessment
Final selection by the appropriate authority

Passing one stage does not guarantee final selection. Applicants must meet every requirement stated for their course and branch.

Eligibility Information

Officer-cadet eligibility commonly considers educational results, subject background, age, nationality, physical measurements and medical fitness. Requirements can differ between pilot, engineering and other ground branches.

Because these standards are time-sensitive, this page does not reproduce fixed GPA, age, height or medical requirements. Applicants should check the current official circular before applying.

Avoid Recruitment Fraud

Use only the official recruitment portal and Bangladesh Air Force communication channels. Do not send application fees, documents or personal information to an unofficial individual, social-media inbox or personal payment account.

Confirm that the website uses an official Bangladesh Air Force domain.
Read the full circular before making a payment.
Keep the payment confirmation and application record.
Do not trust anyone promising guaranteed selection.
Report suspicious recruitment messages through an official channel.

BAFA and Jashore Airport Are Not the Same Entity

The Bangladesh Air Force Academy, BAF Base Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman and Jashore Airport are closely located within the wider aviation area, but they are not interchangeable public destinations.

A passenger travelling through Jashore Airport should follow Civil Aviation and airline instructions. A candidate attending an Air Force selection or reporting process should follow the location and gate instructions printed on the official document.

Jessore or Jashore?

The current official English spelling of the district is Jashore. However, many people continue to search for “Jessore Air Force Academy,” and some older records use that spelling. Both usually refer to the Bangladesh Air Force Academy located in Jashore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official name of Jessore Air Force Academy?

Its official name is Bangladesh Air Force Academy, commonly abbreviated as BAFA.

Where is Bangladesh Air Force Academy located?

It is located at BAF Base Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman in Jashore, Bangladesh.

Is BAFA a regular public college?

No. It is a military officer-training academy of the Bangladesh Air Force, not a conventional college accepting general walk-in admission.

How can I apply to BAFA?

Apply through an active Bangladesh Air Force officer-cadet recruitment circular on the official Join Bangladesh Air Force portal. Do not send a general application directly to the academy.

Can women apply for Bangladesh Air Force officer-cadet courses?

Women have trained and been commissioned through BAFA courses. However, the branches and eligibility conditions available to female applicants must be checked in the current official recruitment circular.

Does BAFA train only pilots?

No. The academy trains prospective pilots as well as ground-branch officer cadets and other under-training Air Force officers.

Which university is BAFA affiliated with?

Its academic programmes are affiliated with Bangladesh University of Professionals. Relevant engineering education is also associated with the Military Institute of Science and Technology.

Can members of the public visit BAFA?

BAFA is located inside a controlled military establishment. Public access should not be assumed. Visitors must follow official permission and security instructions.

Official Sources

Verification notice: Recruitment criteria, application dates, available branches and selection procedures can change. Check the active official circular before applying or travelling to a selection centre.