Bangladesh

Bangladesh Moves Toward Chinese J-10CE Fighter Jet Procurement

25 August 2026 21:08 PM

NEWS DESK

Bangladesh is moving ahead with plans to acquire Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter aircraft as part of a broader effort to modernize the Bangladesh Air Force, the prime minister’s information and broadcasting adviser, Zahed Ur Rahman, said Tuesday.

Speaking at a regular government press briefing at the Secretariat, Rahman said the government was pursuing the procurement of several categories of military equipment, including fourth-generation multirole combat aircraft, attack helicopters, VIP helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems.

The acquisitions could be implemented during the current fiscal year if budgetary allocations are secured. Otherwise, the projects would be carried forward to the next budget, he said.

According to Rahman, draft agreements for the procurement of J-10CE multirole combat aircraft and attack helicopters have already been prepared following negotiations conducted by the relevant committees. The draft agreements have been sent to the Armed Forces Division and other ministries for approval.

Highlighting the J-10CE’s combat capabilities, Rahman pointed to its reported performance during the recent India-Pakistan conflict.

“There is a recent real combat experience,” he said, referring to claims that a Chinese J-10 fighter was involved in the downing of an Indian Rafale aircraft. He argued that the reported performance had increased Bangladesh’s interest in the Chinese aircraft.

Rahman described the J-10CE as a Chinese-made multirole fighter and said its reported performance in a combat environment had demonstrated its capabilities against advanced aircraft.

Bangladesh’s interest in the J-10CE is also being driven by cost considerations, according to the adviser. He said Chinese fighter aircraft are considerably less expensive than comparable European platforms such as France’s Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

“Compared with Rafale or the European variant, Eurofighter Typhoon, Chinese fighters are relatively much cheaper,” Rahman said, adding that the government would take necessary measures to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.

The planned procurement represents a significant step in Bangladesh’s effort to upgrade its air power with modern combat aircraft and other aviation systems. The J-10CE is an export version of China’s J-10C multirole fighter and is equipped with modern avionics, radar and weapons systems.

The government has not yet announced the number of aircraft it intends to purchase or the estimated total value of the proposed deal.

The procurement will depend on the completion of the government’s approval process and the availability of funding in the national budget.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Andalib Rahman Partha, State Minister for Information Yaser Khan Chowdhury, Information Secretary Mahbuba Farzana and Chief Information Officer of the Press Information Department Syed Abdal Ahmed were also present at Tuesday’s briefing.

Bangladesh Chinese fighter aircraft