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World Defence: Bangladesh Moves Closer to J-10CE Deal with China, 20 Fighter Jets in Proposed $2.3 Billion Package

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Alam Ki Khabar | Bihar News | Patna News | Samastipur News | Bangladesh is moving ahead with a proposed deal to acquire China’s J-10CE fighter jets. A package involving around 20 aircraft and other defence equipment is under consideration, with final approval still pending.

World Desk, New Delhi, August 29. Bangladesh is moving closer to a major military aviation deal with China as Dhaka considers acquiring the J-10CE multirole fighter aircraft to modernise its ageing combat fleet.

The proposed acquisition has attracted attention across South Asia because the J-10CE is already operated by Pakistan and could become Bangladesh’s next major Chinese-origin fighter aircraft if the agreement is formally approved.

However, the deal should not yet be described as final. A draft proposal has reportedly been prepared and sent to the relevant authorities for approval. The final contract, aircraft numbers and delivery schedule are still subject to the remaining financial and administrative procedures.

Proposed 20-aircraft package

According to reports from Bangladesh, Dhaka is considering the purchase of around 20 J-10CE fighter jets under a package estimated at approximately $2.3 billion.

The reported figure is not limited to the aircraft themselves. Training, logistics, technical support and other associated requirements are understood to form part of the overall package.

The proposal has reportedly moved to the Armed Forces Division and the finance authorities for further consideration. The availability of funds in the current financial year could determine whether the procurement process moves ahead immediately or is pushed into the next budget cycle.

Bangladesh wants to modernise its fighter fleet

The planned acquisition comes as Bangladesh looks to replace or supplement older aircraft in its air force inventory.

Bangladesh currently operates Chinese-origin F-7 fighter aircraft, including F-7MG variants. These aircraft are based on the older Chinese J-7 design and are significantly older than modern 4.5-generation fighter platforms.

The J-10CE would represent a major technological step forward for the Bangladesh Air Force if the acquisition is completed.

What makes the J-10CE important?

The J-10CE is the export version of China’s J-10C multirole fighter. The aircraft is designed for a wide range of missions and incorporates modern avionics and radar technology.

One of the features associated with the J-10C family is an electronically scanned radar system, along with modern weapons and network-enabled combat capabilities.

For Bangladesh, acquiring such an aircraft would potentially improve its ability to conduct air-defence and beyond-visual-range combat missions compared with its older fighter fleet.

Pakistan is already operating the aircraft

Pakistan was the first foreign customer for the J-10C/J-10CE family. The Pakistani Air Force has incorporated the aircraft into its combat fleet, making the platform particularly relevant to South Asian security discussions.

If Bangladesh completes its proposed purchase, it would become another South Asian operator of the Chinese fighter.

That development could give China a stronger position in the region’s military aviation market while increasing the presence of Chinese combat aircraft among South Asian air forces.

Helicopters and UAVs also part of the proposal

The proposed package is reportedly broader than fighter jets alone.

Bangladesh is also considering Chinese attack helicopters, VIP transport helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicle systems as part of its wider defence modernisation programme.

Such a package would indicate that Dhaka is looking beyond a single aircraft purchase and is attempting to strengthen several components of its military aviation capability.

Budget remains a key issue

Despite the progress on the proposal, financing remains one of the major hurdles.

Bangladesh will need to allocate substantial funds not only for the aircraft but also for training pilots and ground personnel, maintaining the fleet, acquiring spare parts and establishing the necessary logistical infrastructure.

If sufficient funds are available during the current financial cycle, the procurement could proceed sooner. Otherwise, the proposal could be considered during the next budget cycle.

India is watching the development

The possible arrival of J-10CE fighters in Bangladesh is likely to receive close attention in New Delhi because of the wider strategic implications for South Asia.

Bangladesh shares a long border with India, including areas close to India’s strategically important northeastern region. The potential deployment of modern fighter aircraft in Bangladesh therefore adds another factor to the regional security calculation.

At the same time, the proposed purchase should not automatically be interpreted as an anti-India move. Bangladesh has its own requirement to modernise an ageing air force, and replacing older aircraft is a normal part of long-term defence planning.

The strategic significance will depend on the number of aircraft ultimately purchased, their weapons package, deployment locations, operational readiness and the broader defence relationship between Dhaka and Beijing.

J-10CE gained attention after India-Pakistan conflict

The J-10 platform received considerable international attention following the India-Pakistan military confrontation in 2025, when Pakistan used Chinese-made fighter aircraft.

Bangladeshi officials have also referred to the performance of the J-10 during that episode while discussing the potential acquisition.

However, claims surrounding combat performance and aircraft losses during the conflict remain disputed by the parties involved. Therefore, such claims need to be treated cautiously rather than as independently established facts.

China could gain another major export customer

For Beijing, a successful Bangladesh deal would be strategically valuable.

The J-10CE has so far had a relatively limited number of confirmed foreign operators compared with some Western fighter platforms. A Bangladeshi order would provide China with another international customer and strengthen the aircraft’s position in the global fighter market.

It could also encourage other countries looking for relatively affordable modern multirole fighters to consider Chinese platforms.

What happens next?

The immediate focus will be on the approval process and financing. Once the proposal receives the necessary clearances, Bangladesh and China would still need to finalise the commercial and technical terms of the agreement.

The exact number of aircraft, weapons configuration, training arrangements and delivery timeline will be particularly important in determining the scale of the acquisition.

For now, Bangladesh appears to be moving towards the J-10CE rather than having completed the purchase. If the deal eventually goes through, it could mark one of the most significant upgrades to Bangladesh’s combat aviation capability in recent years and further strengthen China’s defence footprint in South Asia.

ALSO READ

• Why China’s J-10CE Fighter Jet Has Become Important in South Asian Defence

• How Modern Fighter Aircraft Are Changing the Strategic Balance in South Asia

COMMENTARY

Bangladesh’s reported move towards the J-10CE is significant not simply because of the aircraft itself, but because of what it represents for the changing defence landscape of South Asia.

For Dhaka, modernising an ageing fighter fleet is a legitimate defence requirement. Replacing older aircraft with a modern multirole platform can improve air-defence capabilities, pilot training and operational readiness.

For China, however, the potential deal carries a wider significance. Bangladesh could become another important overseas customer for Chinese combat aviation, giving Beijing greater visibility in a market traditionally dominated by Russian, American and European aircraft.

India will naturally monitor the development because Bangladesh’s geography makes any major improvement in its air-combat capability relevant to India’s eastern security environment. But it would be premature to interpret the proposed acquisition as evidence of a hostile alignment against New Delhi.

The real strategic impact will depend on what Bangladesh eventually buys and how the aircraft are integrated into its wider defence structure. The weapons, radar systems, support arrangements and deployment patterns could matter as much as the number of aircraft.

For now, the proposed J-10CE purchase remains a developing story. The final agreement and its technical details will determine whether this becomes a landmark shift in Bangladesh’s air-power capabilities.

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