Bangladesh to Buy Fighter Jets from Europe and China to Boost Air Power

Darwin, 15 October-

“We will keep the skies of Bengal free”—this is the guiding principle of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF). The Air Force’s primary mission is to protect the country’s airspace from external threats. In conventional warfare, it works alongside the Army and Navy to strike adversaries from the sky. Thanks to advanced training, the members of the BAF rank among the world’s top experts in aircraft operation, management, and aerial missions.

However, for a long time, the Air Force has faced a shortage of modern fighter jets and helicopters. To strengthen the nation’s air defense and modernize the force, the interim government is taking major steps. Bangladesh plans to procure Eurofighter Typhoons from Italy, J-10C fighters from China, and JF-17 jets from Pakistan. Additionally, Turkey’s advanced T-129 attack helicopters are expected to soon operate in Bangladesh’s skies.

According to official sources, by 2027 Bangladesh aims to acquire 10 Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat aircraft from Italy and six T-129 attack helicopters from Turkey. The agreements will be finalized through policy approval and bilateral government negotiations. Decisions will be made following direct discussions with representatives or authorized organizations from Italy and Turkey.

A 12-member inter-ministerial committee, headed by an Air Vice Marshal and including representatives from various ministries, has been formed to oversee this process. The committee will include experts from the Chief of Air Staff’s office, the Ministry of Defense, Finance Division, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Law, National Board of Revenue, Armed Forces Division, and Air Headquarters. These ministries and departments have been requested to nominate representatives by the 20th of this month.

This joint committee will meet with Italian and Turkish delegations to prepare for the procurement. The Air Force aims to conclude the purchase contracts during the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Earlier, in April this year, Bangladesh held discussions with Chinese representatives for acquiring J-10C multirole fighters. The government has now approved the purchase of 20 J-10C aircraft from China for $2.2 billion (approximately BDT 27,600 crore), covering the cost of aircraft, training, and related expenses. Simultaneously, Bangladesh has signed a contract with Pakistan for 16 JF-17 fighter jets, valued at $720 million (around BDT 8,856 crore).

The committee will review draft agreements for these acquisitions and verify purchases through a government-to-government (G2G) process. The contracts will cover maintenance support, logistics, training, spare parts management, and other technical details. Through negotiations, the committee will finalize pricing, payment methods, and agreements with representatives from the respective countries.

Officials highlight the urgency of modernizing the Air Force, citing regional tensions in Pakistan-India, China-India, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, the Chicken’s Neck area, and Myanmar. They emphasize that further modernization initiatives for Bangladesh’s military forces will continue in the coming years. The previous 17-year fascist government had halted modernization efforts, relying on friendly neighbors instead of strengthening the armed forces. The current government is prioritizing national sovereignty and defense.

Former Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Air Commodore (Retd.) Md. Shafiqul Islam, told Kaler Kantho: “The initiative to procure aircraft and helicopters marks the beginning of the Air Force’s modernization. This will likely continue to safeguard our airspace and national sovereignty. Alongside aircraft acquisition, we must also develop systems for enemy detection, communication, surveillance, live intelligence, and infrastructure, including equipment, logistics, and technical networks. Most importantly, we have no shortage of skilled and trained personnel. Saiful Azam, one of the 22 living aces in the world, was a Bangladeshi who downed an Israeli jet with comparatively weaker aircraft.”

On aircraft capabilities, he added: “The Eurofighter Typhoon and J-10C are world-class aircraft. NATO countries operate the Eurofighter, which is twin-engine with a long range and capable of supporting naval operations. Equipped with anti-ship missiles, adversary naval forces would remain at least 2,500 kilometers away. The J-10C is a 4.5-generation fighter, highly cost-efficient compared to Western jets, with no restrictive conditions in its procurement. Turkish drones are large, capable of carrying heavy weapons, and difficult to detect on radar.”

Aircraft in Focus:

Italy’s Eurofighter Typhoon: A multirole fighter developed collaboratively by the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. It excels in air superiority, ground attack, and electronic warfare. Powered by two Eurojet EJ200 turbofan engines, it can reach speeds of 2,495 km/h and a range of 2,900 km without refueling, with a maximum altitude of 55,000 feet. Delta wings and canard design provide unmatched agility.

Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder: A lightweight, multirole fighter built by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. Effective in air-to-air and air-to-surface combat, day or night, it features computerized flight control, advanced weapons systems, and exceptional maneuverability. Maximum speed is 2,205 km/h, with a payload capacity of up to 12,700 kg.

Turkey’s T-129 Attack Helicopter: A twin-engine, two-seat attack helicopter suitable for harsh environments, day or night operations. Armed with a 20mm three-barrel rotary cannon, L-UMTAS and CIRIT missiles, air-to-air Stinger missiles, and various rockets.

China’s J-10C: Single-engine multirole fighter capable of superior maneuvering, including high-altitude combat. Top speed reaches 2,415 km/h. Notably effective in evading enemy aircraft.

Bangladesh Air Force Overview:

According to War Power Bangladesh, the BAF operates 212 aircraft, including 44 fighter jets: 36 Chinese F-7 fighters, 8 MiG-29Bs, and a small fleet of Russian Yak-130 light attack aircraft. The Mi-17 helicopters serve as troop transport and gunships, and C-130J aircraft provide strategic airlift. The K-8 trainer aircraft from China has recently been added for modernized pilot training.