Pakistan offers a training package covering pilots, technical staff and academic instruction, positioning itself as a supporting partner in the transition process.
Bangladesh moves to bolster air power with Chinese J-10 fighters, with Pakistan assisting in pilot and technical training (Photo: File)
NEW DELHI: Bangladesh is moving towards the acquisition of China's J-10 multirole fighter aircraft, signalling a major shift in its air-power strategy and a deepening of defence alignment with Beijing, according to senior-level inputs from within the Bangladesh Air Force.
A BAF insider, speaking to this reporter on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the service is planning to procure the J-10 platform from China, clarifying that the aircraft under consideration is not the Pakistan-China developed JF-17 but the more advanced J-10 fighter. The officer indicated that discussions surrounding the acquisition have also extended into training and operational preparation frameworks.
According to the source, Beijing will play a direct role not only as the supplier but also in training Bangladeshi Air Force personnel on the platform. In parallel, Pakistan has offered a comprehensive training package covering pilots, technical staff and academic instruction, positioning itself as a supporting partner in the transition process due to its operational familiarity with Chinese-origin combat aircraft.
The source explained that previous references to the JF-17 were not indicative of a procurement plan but stemmed from the similarity of its avionics architecture to that of the J-10, a factor being considered in terms of system interoperability, maintenance philosophy and doctrinal adaptation.
The prospective acquisition of the J-10 represents a significant leap in Bangladesh's combat aviation capability. Designed for high-end multirole and air dominance missions, the aircraft features advanced radar systems, modern avionics, beyond-visual-range engagement capability and integrated electronic warfare suites, placing it in a higher performance category than most platforms currently operated by the BAF.
Defence observers see the move as part of a broader recalibration of Dhaka's procurement strategy, aimed at transitioning from legacy platforms towards more sophisticated frontline fighters while strengthening strategic ties with China, even as the said purchase is likely to raise concerns in New Delhi.
While no official confirmation has yet been issued by the Bangladesh Ministry of Defence, internal discussions and preparatory signals within the air force suggest the move towards J-10 induction is progressing at a planning level and could mark one of the most consequential upgrades in the service's recent history.
The evolving China-Bangladesh defence equation, with Pakistan in a supporting role, is expected to attract close regional attention, particularly as air-power modernisation becomes central to shifting security dynamics in South Asia and the Bay of Bengal theatre.
