Bangladesh has moved closer to acquiring Chinese J-10CE fighter jets after evaluating the aircraft’s reported performance during the May 2025 India-Pakistan military confrontation, according to Bloomberg.
Bangladesh has completed a draft agreement for the purchase of the Chinese-made multirole fighter, Zahed Ur Rahman, Adviser to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister for Policy, Strategy and Information, said during a media briefing in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The proposed acquisition would represent a major step in Bangladesh’s efforts to modernize its air force and strengthen its air combat capabilities.
Bangladesh considers J-10CE fighter jets
The J-10CE is the export version of China’s J-10C multirole fighter. The aircraft is designed to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions and incorporates modern avionics, radar and electronic warfare capabilities.
The fighter can also carry advanced air-to-air missiles, making it suitable for beyond-visual-range aerial combat and other modern air warfare missions.
Bangladesh’s interest in the aircraft has grown as the country evaluates options to upgrade its aging fighter fleet and improve its overall air defense capabilities.
May 2025 conflict influenced interest
The performance of Chinese-origin military equipment during the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict has been cited as a factor in Bangladesh’s assessment of potential defense purchases.
Pakistan operated Chinese-made fighter aircraft and weapons during the confrontation, while India deployed several advanced aircraft, including French-made Rafale fighter jets.
Reports and competing claims surrounding the aerial engagements generated significant international attention and increased interest in the capabilities of Chinese air-combat systems.
Bangladeshi officials have previously highlighted the performance of Chinese defense equipment during the conflict as one consideration in evaluating potential military acquisitions.
However, the exact combat performance of individual aircraft and weapons remains subject to competing accounts from India, Pakistan and other sources.
Long-standing Bangladesh-China defense ties
The potential J-10CE deal with Bangladesh also builds on decades of defense cooperation between Dhaka and Beijing.
China is a major supplier of military equipment to Bangladesh, providing a range of systems that include fighter aircraft, naval vessels and other defense platforms.
A purchase of the J-10CE would further deepen Bangladesh’s defense relationship with China while giving the Bangladesh Air Force access to a newer generation of multirole combat aircraft.
If finalized, the acquisition would mark a significant development in Bangladesh’s military modernization program and could reshape the capabilities of its fighter fleet.
The draft agreement is an important step toward a potential purchase, although the final contract, number of aircraft and delivery schedule would depend on subsequent negotiations and government approvals.
