Bangladesh has confirmed a decision to buy Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter jets, with a draft proposal sent to the Finance Ministry and the Armed Forces Division for final approval. The proposed package also includes Chinese attack helicopters, VIP transport helicopters and drones. Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahedur Rahman said procurement could be completed quickly if funding is available in the current fiscal year; otherwise, the process would move to the next fiscal year.

The J-10CE is the export version of China’s Chengdu J-10C. The single-engine aircraft can conduct air combat, ground strikes, surveillance and long-range missions, with a reported maximum speed of about Mach 1.8 to 2. It has modern radar and can carry various air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.

Bangladesh has not officially disclosed the number of aircraft or the contract value. Earlier information indicated a preliminary plan for 20 J-10 aircraft at an estimated cost of about $2.2 billion, including spare parts, training, transport, insurance and other equipment. The purchase is viewed as part of the Bangladesh Air Force’s modernization plan.