Bangladesh Plans to Buy Chinese J-10CE Jets, Adviser Says

Bangladesh Weighs Purchase of Chinese Fighter Jets

Bangladesh is planning to acquire China's J-10CE fighter jets as part of an effort to modernise its air force, according to an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Zahed Ur Rahman, the information and advertising adviser, told a news conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday that the proposed acquisition would depend on the availability of budgetary support during the current fiscal year.

"If budget support is available this fiscal year, the purchase will go ahead. Otherwise, it will be deferred to the next budget," Rahman said, as quoted by ANI.

A draft proposal for the purchase has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Armed Forces Division for final approval, according to the Press Information Department of Bangladesh, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The proposal also includes the purchase of Chinese attack helicopters, VIP transport helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, the same source said.

Bangladesh's current budget year runs from July of this year to June of next year.

Adviser Cites J-10CE Performance in Regional Conflict

Rahman explained Dhaka's interest in the J-10CE by referring to the conflict between India and Pakistan in May of last year. He told reporters that Bangladesh had "paid attention" to the conflict, when Pakistan reportedly used J-10CE fighters equipped with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars and PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles to shoot down Indian Rafale fighters.

"When India and Pakistan were at war, India's Dassault Rafale was downed, and it was done by the Chinese J-10," he said, according to ANI.

The J-10CE's reported performance in that conflict was cited by the adviser as a factor in Bangladesh's interest. A military expert, quoted in the South China Morning Post, said the interest was a sign that the global perception of Chinese weapons was shifting and the market would gradually open.

Outlook

If budgetary support is not available in the current fiscal year, the purchase would be deferred to the next budget, according to the adviser's statement as reported by ANI. The final decision rests with the Ministry of Finance and the Armed Forces Division, which are reviewing the draft proposal.