To modernize the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and strengthen national air defense, the government has initiated a plan to purchase 20 Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter jets. The total estimated cost, including training and other related expenses, is $2.2 billion — equivalent to around Tk 27,060 crore.
The purchase will be made either directly or through a government-to-government (G2G) agreement with China and is expected to be implemented during the 2025–26 and 2026–27 fiscal years. According to official documents reviewed by the media, the payment will be made over a 10-year period, extending up to FY2035–36.
The J-10CE is the export version of China’s J-10C, currently used by the Chinese Air Force. The Chief Adviser’s Office estimated the base price of each aircraft at $60 million, bringing the total for 20 jets to $1.2 billion (around Tk 14,760 crore). Additional expenses for training, equipment, transportation, insurance, VAT, commissions, construction, and other costs will bring the total to $2.2 billion.
The aircraft gained international attention during the May 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, when Pakistan claimed to have used J-10CE fighters to down several Indian Rafale jets — though the claim remains unverified.
During Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s visit to China in March, the purchase proposal was discussed, and China reportedly responded positively. Later, in April, an 11-member inter-ministerial committee, chaired by the Air Force Chief, was formed to finalize the deal. The committee will review the draft agreement, assess the feasibility of the G2G method, and negotiate pricing, payment terms, maintenance, training, spare parts, and other operational details with Chinese officials.
Major General ANM Muniruzzaman (Retd.), President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, told the media that the Air Force has long needed modern fighter jets. However, he cautioned that geopolitical implications must be considered before finalizing the deal, especially amid current tensions between the United States and China.
China’s Baiyi Aerobatic Team currently showcases the latest J-10C model, considered one of China’s most advanced multirole fighters. With support from YU-20 aerial tankers, the aircraft demonstrates long-distance flight capabilities at international air shows.
At present, the Bangladesh Air Force operates 212 aircraft, including 44 fighter jets — among them 36 Chinese-made F-7s, eight MiG-29Bs, and several Russian Yak-130 light attack aircraft. The inclusion of the J-10 series will mark a major step in the modernization of the BAF fleet.
