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Dhaka Eyes $2.2 Billion Chinese Fighter Jet Deal to Modernize Air Force



Bangladesh is moving forward with plans for a major acquisition of advanced fighter aircraft from China, signaling a significant push to modernize the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) under its "Forces Goal 2030" initiative. Government documents reviewed by The Business Standard indicate that Dhaka is preparing to purchase 20 Chinese-made Chengdu J-10CE multirole fighter jets at an estimated total cost of $2.20 billion by 2027.

The proposed deal, which covers the procurement of the aircraft, along with necessary training, maintenance, and associated support, is expected to be finalized as a direct purchase or a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. The purchase marks what is widely seen as the most consequential military aviation upgrade in the nation's history.

According to the cost breakdown cited by The Business Standard, the base price for the 20-aircraft fleet is estimated at $1.2 billion, with the remaining $1 billion covering training, equipment, freight, and ancillary costs such as insurance, VAT, and civil works. To manage the financial commitment, payments are expected to be spread across ten fiscal years, extending up to FY2035-36.

The J-10CE, an export variant of China's advanced 4.5generation J-10C "Vigorous Dragon," is intended to replace the BAF's aging fleet of Chinese built F-7 fighters. The J-10CE is equipped with modern features like an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) missile capabilities, which analysts note would substantially enhance Bangladesh's air defense capabilities and ability to project power in the Bay of Bengal theatre.

Formal discussions on the fighter jet acquisition began during Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus's visit to Beijing in March 2025, where he discussed the potential purchase with Chinese leadership, receiving a "positive" response, according to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Office. Following this, the government established an 11 member inter-ministerial committee, led by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, to negotiate and finalize the agreement terms, including price, payment schedules, and long-term maintenance provisions.

While the necessity of acquiring modern fighters to replace obsolete platforms is widely acknowledged by experts, the potential deal's geopolitical dimension has drawn attention. Retired Major General ANM Muniruzzaman, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, cautioned that global dynamics, particularly the growing tensions between the United States and China, must be carefully considered before finalizing a purchase from any nation, as reported by both The Business Standard and Prothom Alo. The selection of a Chinese platform, given China's role as a major defense supplier to Bangladesh and its strategic competition with other global powers, is seen as a move that could potentially complicate Dhaka's efforts to maintain a balanced foreign policy.



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