Dhaka: Bangladesh has made significant progress towards acquiring Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets and attack helicopters to modernise its air defence capabilities. Zahed Ur Rahman, information and broadcasting adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, stated that the government had prepared a draft agreement for negotiations.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Rahman mentioned that Bangladesh’s interest in the J-10CE was partly influenced by its reported performance during the India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025. He noted reports of a Chinese-made J-10 fighter shooting down an Indian Rafale aircraft during the conflict. Furthermore, Rahman highlighted that Chinese fighter jets were significantly cheaper than comparable European aircraft, such as the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon.
Rahman stated, ‘Therefore, Bangladesh is paying attention to this, and it is hoped that we are progressing very well on this path.’ Bangladesh has been considering the acquisition of Chinese combat aircraft for several years as part of efforts to strengthen its air defence.
According to Dhaka-based newspaper The Business Standard, the former interim administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus formally proposed purchasing 20 J-10CE fighter jets from China in October 2025. The proposed acquisition was estimated at 2.2 billion dollars, according to the newspaper.
Separately, the Bangladesh Air Force signed a letter of intent with Italian aerospace and defence company Leonardo in December for the possible acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. However, the Air Force headquarters in Dhaka did not disclose the number of aircraft involved or financial details of the proposed Eurofighter deal.