Bangladesh confirms Chinese J-10CE jet deal, citing Rafale kill in India-Pakistan clash
Bangladesh has for the first time confirmed a long-expected deal to purchase China’s 4.5-generation J-10CE fighters, pointing to the jet’s combat performance against Rafale fighters in last year’s India-Pakistan conflict. One military expert said it was a sign that the global perception of Chinese weapons was shifting and the market would gradually open. Zahed Ur Rahman, information and…
Bangladesh has officially confirmed a deal to purchase China's advanced J-10CE fighter jets, citing the combat performance of these aircraft against Rafale fighters in last year's India-Pakistan conflict. Zahed Ur Rahman, a senior adviser to Bangladesh's prime minister, announced that a draft proposal for the purchase had been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Armed Forces Division for final approval.
The proposal also includes the acquisition of Chinese attack helicopters, VIP transport helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. The draft proposal is contingent on securing the necessary budgetary allocation within the current fiscal year, which runs from July 2021 to June 2022. Rahman emphasized that Bangladesh had observed the recent conflict between Pakistan and India, where Pakistan reportedly used J-10CE fighters with AESA radars and PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles to shoot down Indian Rafale fighters.
He noted that the J-10CE offered superior combat performance compared to similar European aircraft like the Eurofighter Typhoon, and was significantly more cost-effective. Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military analyst and former air force officer, stated that the J-10CE was the most affordable medium-weight fighter among several options, including the US-made F-16 and the French Dassault Rafale.
He praised the J-10CE's advanced radar technology, which enables long-range detection and strong multi-target tracking and engagement capabilities. Bangladesh aims to modernize its aging fleet, currently consisting of 36 F-7MG fighters, a derivative of China's J-7 series. The country's defense budget will likely cover the acquisition of the 20 J-10CE fighters, with each jet costing around US$115 million after accounting for training, logistics, and other expenses.
Analysts believe that Bangladesh's decision to purchase Chinese fighter jets signals a shift in global perceptions of Chinese military capabilities and paves the way for a gradually expanding market for Chinese weapons exports.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
