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Bangladeshi and Chinese Leaders Talk Possible Fighter Sale
The governments of Bangladesh and China discussed the potential sale of combat aircraft for the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), according to a press statement released by the Office of the Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh on March 28th.
The announcement came alongside numerous other matters discussed during Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ official visit to Beijing, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping as well as other top Chinese officials.
Notes and Comments
Since the mid-2010s, the BAF actively sought new multirole combat aircraft to modernize its fleet. Under Forces Goal 2030 roadmap, the BAF released a tender in 2017 for up to 12 new multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) to be bought in two batches.
The tender specified the need for a twin-engine platform equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar providing air-to-air and air-to-surface range of 150 km and 50 km, respectively, helmet-mounted display and sight (HMD/S) system, integrated electronic warfare (EW) and electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite, and payload capacity of at least 5,000 kg, among other requirements.
In effect, the original requirement narrowed the BAF’s focus to the Russian MiG-35, which was offered to Dhaka by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). However, a deal was not signed. It seemed that Bangladesh shifted its focus to Western aircraft, with the Dassault Group Rafale being a candidate at some point. But as with past initiatives for new fighter aircraft, Dhaka did not finalize an agreement, thus leaving the BAF with increasingly obsolete fighter aircraft.
Since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government, it seemed that momentum was once again returning to a potential BAF fighter program, with Chinese options being the key focal point of Dhaka’s interest. This would mark a significant shift as, in the 2010s, it appeared that Russia would secure a new BAF fighter deal, especially as it supplied the Yak-130 advanced trainer to Bangladesh shortly before the original fighter tender was released.
Currently, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) offers two multirole fighter aircraft for export: the J-10CE produced by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), and the JF-17, which is co-produced by CAC and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC).
In January 2025, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) promoted the JF-17C Block-3 to Bangladesh during a visit by a military delegation led by Lt. Gen. S.M. Kamrul Hassan. The Block-3 is the latest JF-17 variant, introducing an AESA radar, HMD/S, ECM capability, and other capability gains to the platform, which is now the mainstay fighter of the PAF fleet.
While this issue is still in its early stages, several factors could contribute towards a potential Chinese fighter sale to Bangladesh.
For Dhaka, Chinese aircraft offer technologically modern options at competitive price points. Both the J-10CE and JF-17C are offered with AESA radars, HMD/S, and long-range air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions. The PAF bought the J-10CE for $75 million USD per unit, while the JF-17C would cost less. Moreover, Beijing can offer credit or loans to back a deal.
For Beijing, a fighter sale creates a pathway for it to expand its presence in South Asia while potentially dividing India’s attention further by nurturing another credible military threat in the region, augmenting Pakistan’s presence. Bangladesh could follow up a fighter purchase with the procurement of new, longer-ranged surface-to-air missiles (SAM), for example.
