Bangladesh Plans $2.14 Billion Purchase of 20 Chinese J-10CE Fighter Jets

DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh has prepared a draft agreement to negotiate the purchase of 20 Chinese J-10CE multirole fighter jets at an estimated cost of $2.14 billion, as the government moves ahead with a major plan to modernize the Bangladesh Air Force. Government sources said the proposed acquisition would be financed over eight fiscal years, with the procurement process expected to run from the current 2026–27 fiscal year through 2034–35.

Ten of the aircraft are planned to meet existing operational requirements, while the remaining 10 would be used to establish a new fighter squadron within the Bangladesh Air Force. The development was disclosed after Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said Tuesday that the government was advancing the process of purchasing J-10 fighter aircraft from China.

$2.14 billion procurement plan

According to documents cited by government sources, each J-10CE is estimated to cost about $62.7 million. At an exchange rate of Tk123 to the U.S. dollar, that would put the price of each aircraft at roughly Tk7.71 billion. The 20 aircraft would cost approximately $1.256 billion, while additional expenditure would cover pilot and technical training, transportation and operational equipment.

The broader procurement package is estimated at approximately $2.14 billion, according to the documents. Bangladesh initially expected the procurement to be completed during the 2025–26 and 2026–27 fiscal years. More recent government documents, however, indicate that payments and implementation would continue through 2034–35. Defense sources said Bangladesh is seeking to receive six J-10 aircraft by 2027, with the remaining 14 aircraft delivered in phases.

Government-to-government purchase

The proposed purchase would be conducted either through a government-to-government arrangement with China or through direct negotiations with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), according to the documents. A committee formed to negotiate the purchase of J-10 aircraft and attack helicopters has already prepared a draft agreement and forwarded it to the Armed Forces Division.

The Bangladesh Air Force is currently evaluating the technical and financial proposals associated with the procurement. The modernization program also includes plans to acquire anti-drone systems, long-range radar, electronic warfare systems and passive defense systems.

New fighter squadron and air force infrastructure

Under the proposed acquisition plan, Bangladesh would establish a new multirole combat aircraft unit. The government is also working on restructuring elements of the country’s air warfare and field infrastructure, while some activities related to establishing an aerospace research and development complex are underway.

Documents also indicate that Bangladesh is pursuing land acquisition for the establishment of a full-fledged air base in Bogura, aimed at expanding Bangladesh Air Force flight and operational capabilities in the country’s northern and northwestern regions.

Why Bangladesh is considering the J-10CE

Bangladesh has been seeking to modernize its fighter fleet for several years. The country’s existing combat aircraft are aging, raising concerns over their ability to meet modern air-defense requirements. The J-10CE has attracted additional attention in Bangladesh following the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, when Pakistan deployed Chinese-made J-10C-series aircraft.

Pakistan claimed that its J-10s were used to shoot down several Indian aircraft, including Rafale fighters. India acknowledged losing aircraft during the conflict but did not publicly confirm the number or the specific aircraft involved.

International reporting has also examined India’s reported loss of Rafale aircraft during the fighting. The precise number and circumstances surrounding those losses remain subject to differing accounts. The conflict nevertheless drew international attention to the capabilities of China’s J-10C/J-10CE family of fighter aircraft.

J-10CE versus Rafale

The J-10CE is the export version of China’s J-10C and is designed as a multirole combat aircraft, capable of performing both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Bangladesh currently operates fighter aircraft primarily focused on air-defense missions, while the proposed J-10CE acquisition would provide a broader multirole capability.

The J-10CE is capable of supersonic flight and is designed for high maneuverability and modern aerial combat. Its advanced radar, electronic systems and weapons integration are among the features that have attracted interest from potential foreign buyers. The aircraft is generally considered a 4.5-generation fighter, while France’s Rafale is also widely classified in the 4.5-generation category.

Bangladesh has considered Western fighters

Bangladesh’s interest in modern fighter aircraft predates the current J-10CE proposal. Since 2016, Dhaka has considered a number of options for modernizing its combat fleet, including France’s Rafale, the European Eurofighter Typhoon and U.S.-made F-16 aircraft. French President Emmanuel Macron also promoted the Rafale during his September 2023 visit to Dhaka. The decision to pursue the J-10CE therefore represents a significant shift toward a Chinese platform for Bangladesh’s next-generation multirole fighter capability.

Broader military modernization

The fighter procurement is part of a wider effort to strengthen Bangladesh’s defense capabilities. According to the government, procurement initiatives are also underway for attack helicopters, VIP helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicle systems.

The proposed J-10CE deal would be one of Bangladesh’s largest military acquisitions and would further deepen the country’s longstanding defense relationship with China. For now, the procurement remains subject to negotiations, technical and financial evaluation and the necessary government approvals.