Bangladesh to Acquire Chinese J-10CE Fighter Jets
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Bangladesh to Acquire Chinese J-10CE Fighter Jets
- Bangladesh is moving to purchase Chinese J-10CE fighter jets as part of a significant military overhaul, with initial reports suggesting a potential acquisition of up to 24 aircraft.
- Zahed Ur Rahman, the Prime Minister's Adviser for Information and Broadcasting, stated on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, that a draft contract for the procurement has been finalized.
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Bangladesh is advancing plans to acquire Chinese J-10CE multirole fighter jets and attack helicopters, a move that would represent one of its largest defense procurements in years and further strengthen military ties with Beijing. Prime Minister’s Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman announced on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, that a government negotiation committee has finalized a draft contract for the J-10CE aircraft.
The decision to pursue the J-10CE is reportedly influenced by the aircraft’s performance in the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, where Pakistan claimed it used the J-10CE to down Indian fighters. While these claims remain disputed, Rahman indicated that Bangladesh has taken note of the Chinese aircraft’s reported capabilities.
This procurement is part of Bangladesh’s “Forces Goal 2030” modernization program, which aims to enhance its naval, air, and cyber capabilities. China has been Bangladesh’s largest arms supplier over the past two decades, providing a range of military hardware including naval vessels, combat aircraft, tanks, and missile systems. Reports from October 2025 indicated that Bangladesh was preparing to purchase 20 J-10CE jets for an estimated $2.2 billion, with payments spread over ten fiscal years until FY2035-36. The J-10CE is described as an all-weather, single-seat, single-engine multirole advanced fighter with strong weapon capabilities, including advanced Beyond Visual Range (BVR) attack and precise ground strike capabilities. Its operational service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) began in 2006.