Bangladesh has prepared a draft agreement for negotiation meetings on purchasing Chinese J-10CE fighter aircraft, according to Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman. He made the announcement at a Tuesday, August 25 press conference at the Secretariat on progress in government activities. Information and Broadcasting Minister Andalib Rahman and State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury were present.

Ur Rahman said the procurement is part of the Bangladesh Air Force’s modernization plan, which includes fourth-generation multirole combat aircraft, fighter aircraft, attack helicopters, VIP helicopters and UAV systems. He said implementation would proceed if necessary funding is available in the current fiscal year; otherwise, initiatives would be taken in the next budget.

The adviser said Bangladesh is considering cost and effectiveness in strengthening defense capability. He described the J-10 as having demonstrated performance in recent India-Pakistan conflict experience and said Chinese fighters are comparatively less expensive than European aircraft such as Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon with similar capabilities. He also said Bangladesh can make strategic foreign and military policy decisions based on its national interests.