J-10C for Bangladesh: Dhaka Cites Pakistan’s May Clash Against India as It Advances Chinese Fighter Jet Talks - EurAsian Times

**Dhaka Moves Forward on Chinese J‑10CE Fighter Deal, Citing Pakistan’s May Air Clash with India**

Dhaka’s defence ministry announced on Monday that Bangladesh is in the advanced stages of negotiations to purchase 20 Chinese‑made J‑10CE multirole fighter jets, a deal estimated at roughly $2.3 billion. The aircraft, an upgraded “C” variant of the J‑10 family, features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, improved avionics and a higher‑thrust engine that give it capabilities comparable to modern fourth‑generation fighters. Bangladesh’s air force, which currently operates a mix of ageing MiG‑29s, F‑7s and Su‑30MKIs, has been seeking a cost‑effective platform to replace older airframes and to bolster its air‑defence posture along its long border with India and Myanmar.

Bangladesh’s push for the J‑10CE has been framed by officials as a response to the performance of the type in Pakistan’s May 2024 aerial encounter with India, an incident that Pakistan dubbed “Operation Sindoor.” In that clash, Pakistani pilots flying J‑10s claimed to have successfully engaged Indian Rafale fighters, asserting that the Chinese jets demonstrated superior maneuverability and situational awareness. Dhaka’s senior adviser on defence procurement, Major‑General (Ret.) Anwar Hossain, told reporters that the “well‑performing” nature of the J‑10CE, as evidenced in the Pakistan‑India skirmish, reinforced Bangladesh’s confidence that the aircraft would meet its operational requirements while remaining within its budgetary constraints.

The prospective deal has drawn mixed reactions from regional powers. New Delhi has warned that the introduction of Chinese combat aircraft into a neighbouring air force could alter the strategic balance along the India‑Bangladesh frontier, urging Dhaka to consider “indigenous” or Western‑sourced alternatives. Beijing, meanwhile, has offered attractive financing terms and a technology‑transfer package, underscoring its broader aim to deepen defence ties across South Asia. Washington is monitoring the transaction closely, noting that the sale could affect the United States’ efforts to promote its own fighter platforms in the region. As talks progress, Bangladesh says it will complete a comprehensive assessment of operational, logistical and geopolitical factors before signing any final contract.