News Brief
Bangladesh Mulls $2.2 Billion Purchase Of Chinese J-10CE Fighter Jets Already Operated By Pakistan: Report
A Chinese J10 fighter jet
Bangladesh may soon join the list of countries operating the Chinese-made J-10 fighter aircraft, a move that could reshape the air power dynamics of South Asia.
However, as reports surface about Dhaka’s “in-principle approval” to acquire up to 20 J-10CE jets, the decision deserves skepticism—particularly given the aircraft’s unproven combat record and Pakistan’s habitual exaggeration of its military capabilities.
Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan confirmed last month that his country’s caretaker government has approved the purchase of “multirole combat and attack aircraft” along with new air defence systems, Defense News reported.
While Khan did not name the aircraft, all indications point toward China’s J-10CE—a 4.5-generation variant touted by Beijing as its answer to Western multirole fighters.
The deal, estimated at around $2.2 billion including training and spares, would be spread over a decade.
According to Bangladeshi officials, the acquisition is part of “Forces Goal 2030,” a long-term modernisation roadmap that seeks to overhaul the Bangladesh Air Force’s aging fleet of Chinese-built F-7s and Russian MiG-29s—both nearing obsolescence and prone to accidents.
Dhaka’s interest in the J-10 is not new. During a meeting between Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yumus and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing earlier this year, defence cooperation topped the agenda.
Bangladesh already operates several Chinese-origin platforms, including Type 15 light tanks and Type 035G submarines, making a J-10 purchase a continuation of that military partnership.
However, the geopolitical implications are significant. If the deal goes through, J-10s would be stationed across all of India’s borders—west (Pakistan), north (China), and east (Bangladesh)—posing a strategic concern for New Delhi.
While the J-10CE features modern avionics, an AESA radar, and beyond-visual-range missiles, skepticism persists about its real-world performance.
But such claims are difficult to verify and come from a military establishment with a long history of inflated success narratives.
Independent observers note that no verified combat data exists to back Pakistan’s assertions.
Moreover, questions remain about the reliability and sustainability of Chinese-origin jets in high-intensity operations, as well as the effectiveness of their maintenance and logistics support compared to Western systems.
Bangladesh’s move reflects its urgent need to modernize but also its deepening defense dependency on China—a factor that could complicate its ties with Western nations and India.
Notably, Bangladeshi officials also evaluated European fighters like the Eurofighter Typhoon earlier this year, suggesting that Dhaka may still be weighing its options.
While the J-10CE could offer Bangladesh a technological leap from its outdated fleet, the aircraft’s untested combat credibility and Pakistan’s unverifiable claims cast a shadow over its reputation.
For now, the J-10 remains a jet surrounded by more propaganda than proven performance—and Dhaka’s final decision will reveal whether it values affordability over authenticity in its quest for air power.
