Bangladesh plans $2.2b purchase of 20 Chinese J-10 fighter jets
Air Force now operates 212 aircraft, including 44 fighter jets, of which 36 are Chinese-made F-7s
To modernise the Bangladesh Air Force and strengthen national air defence, the government is preparing to buy 20 Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter jets at an estimated cost of $2.20 billion (around Tk27,060 crore) by 2027.
The deal, which covers procurement, training, maintenance, and associated expenses, is expected to be executed during FY26 and FY27, either through a direct purchase or a government-to-government arrangement. Payments would be spread across 10 fiscal years, up to FY2035–36, according to official documents reviewed by The Business Standard.
The J-10CE is the export variant of China's J-10C, already in service with the Chinese air force. It recently drew global attention after reports claimed it had downed, possibly several, French-made Rafale of the Indian Airforce during the India–Pakistan clashes of May 2025 — an incident yet to be independently verified.
The price breakdown
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The Chief Adviser's Office has estimated the base price of each aircraft at $60 million, or $1.2 billion (Tk14,760 crore) for the fleet. Training, equipment, and freight add another $820 million (Tk10,086 crore). With insurance, VAT, agency commissions, civil works, and ancillary costs, the total climbs to $2.20 billion.
The finance ministry will need to provide bulk allocations over a 10-year period till the 2035–36 fiscal year to pay for these jets.
In a statement issued in March, the press wing of the Chief Advisor's Office said that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus had discussed the purchase of multirole combat aircraft during his visit to China. The statement noted that China had responded positively to the proposal.
In April, the government formed an 11-member inter-ministerial committee, headed by the Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, to finalise an agreement through negotiations for purchasing the jets. The committee includes representatives from the Chief Advisor's Office, the Ministry of Defence, the Finance Division, the Economic Relations Division, the Ministry of Law, and other relevant ministries and agencies.
Committee's role in fighter jet purchase
The Air Chief-led committee will review the draft contract and assess whether it would be appropriate to procure the aircraft from the Chinese government or its designated agency under a g-to-g arrangement. The agreement will outline provisions for maintenance support, storage systems, training, spare parts management, and other related matters.
In addition, the committee will negotiate with Chinese representatives to determine the final price of the aircraft, finalise payment terms, prepare the draft contract, and complete all procedures related to finalising and signing the agreement.
Expert caution
Major General (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, said the air force had long planned to acquire new fighters but stressed that the matter remains at the evaluation stage.
"A new kind of geopolitical divide has formed in the world today, so the geopolitical impact must be analysed before buying aircraft from any country," he said. "Especially now, there is tension between the United States and China. That has to be taken into account, though our need for fighter aircraft is undeniable."
Modernising the Air Force: Why the J-10 series matters
The Bayi Aerobatic Team of China transitioned to the J-10A and J-10S as their demonstration aircraft in 2009 and upgraded to the advanced J-10C fighters in 2023.
Leveraging the jets' high-performance features, the pilots' exceptional skills, and support from the YU-20 aerial tanker, the team has carried out repeated non-stop long-distance flights at international airshows. The J-10 series has thus become a flagship of China's aviation industry, frequently showcased at global defence exhibitions.
Bangladesh Air Force at a glance
According to warpowerbangladesh.com, the Bangladesh Air Force operates 212 aircraft, including 44 fighter jets, of which 36 are Chinese-made F-7s. The modern BAF comprises both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, blending Cold War-era and contemporary types. Its primary fighter mount remains the ageing F-7, while eight MiG-29B multirole fighters provide a more modern capability. A small fleet of Russian Yak-130 aircraft is used in the light attack role.
The Soviet-Russian Mil Mi-17 serves as both a troop transport and gunship, while the C-130J offers tactical transport capability. Advanced training is provided by the Chinese K-8, one of the most modern additions to the inventory.
The Army relies on the Mi-171 for medium-lift operations, and the Navy employs the Italian AW109 for medium support, along with four Do 228 aircraft for Maritime Patrol missions.
