Looking ahead to what would be the second acquisition by an international customer for the platform, China would be finalizing details to carry out the sale of 20 new J-10CE fighters to the Bangladesh Air Force, in an operation that would require an investment of about 2.2 billion dollars by that institution. This is a potential operation framed within the modernization program being undertaken by that force, which currently has about 44 combat aircraft, 36 of these being old J-7 fighters that Beijing is currently converting into drones.
Expanding on details about the possible agreement, local reports indicate that if carried out, it would take place between fiscal years 2026 and 2027, adding that besides the aircraft, it would also include training for Bangladesh Air Force personnel and support in maintenance tasks. Although it has not yet been confirmed whether it will be a direct purchase contract or a government-to-government deal, payments are expected to be made under a scheme spread over ten fiscal years, which would help lighten the burden on Bangladesh’s limited budget.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that the Chinese-origin J-10CE model would have gained greater prominence in the selection process due to its participation in the India-Pakistan conflict that took place this year, especially after reports indicated its shootdowns of French-designed Rafale fighters. Added to this, the relatively low unit cost at which these aircraft would be acquired in their export variant is highlighted, estimated at around 60 million dollars according to the Office of the Principal Advisor of Bangladesh.
From a look at the technical characteristics of the platform, the possible arrival of the J-10CE would undoubtedly represent an important leap in capabilities for the Bangladesh Air Force, whose fighter aviation currently has a backbone composed of the mentioned old J-7 models (manufactured under license based on the MiG-21); complemented by a small number of eight MiG-29B fighters. Among its main assets are the integration of advanced AESA radars, as well as PL-10 and BVR PL-15 air-to-air missiles in their most advanced variants. These latter missiles are, in fact, those reportedly used by Pakistani pilots to shoot down the Indian Rafales.
So far, the main obstacle remaining to clarify lies in the geopolitical positioning that the purchase would imply in the eyes of the Bangladeshi government, considering the strong competition between China and the U.S. In the words of retired General ANM Muniruzzaman, who serves as president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies: “Today a new type of geopolitical division has formed in the world, so the geopolitical impact must be analyzed before buying aircraft from any country. Especially now, there is tension between the United States and China. This must be taken into account, even though our need for combat aircraft is undeniable.”
*Images used for illustrative purposes
You may also like: After completing trials with the new J-15T and J-35 fighters, the Chinese Navy’s aircraft carrier Fujian arrived at Hainan Island
