Bangladesh has prepared a draft agreement to purchase Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter aircraft and attack helicopters, according to Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman. He disclosed the development during a Tuesday press briefing at the Secretariat on progress in government activities. The announcement has increased interest among defence-conscious observers in the aircraft’s capabilities.

The J-10CE is the export version of China’s J-10C, a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter made by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. The aircraft is designed for air combat and strikes against land and maritime targets. The source describes it as equipped with modern radar, long-range air-to-air missiles, advanced avionics and comparatively lower operating costs.

The J-10C was publicly unveiled in July 2017, while China’s air force formally assigned it combat duties in April 2018. Its design includes canards ahead of delta wings, intended to support control and manoeuvrability at high speed. The source says the aircraft can carry more than 40 types of weapons, has a top speed of about 2,415 kilometres per hour, and can operate from shorter runway sections.