TSAMTO, January 13. Representatives of the Bangladesh and Pakistan Air Force Command have begun official negotiations on the acquisition of a large batch of JF-17 Block fighters.3 "Thunder".
The talks also relate to cooperation in the field of training and maintenance of military equipment.
According to the Public Relations Service of the Armed Forces of Pakistan (ISPR) in a press release dated January 6, official negotiations at the leadership level of the Air Force between Bangladesh and Pakistan began in Islamabad, where the possibility of acquiring JF-17 Block fighter jets was discussed.3 Thunder, as well as accelerated delivery of MFI-395 Super Mushshak training aircraft.
The Bangladesh Air Force delegation visited key facilities of the Pakistan Air Force, including the National Intelligence Center, the Pakistan Air Force Cyber Command and the National Science and Technology Park, familiarizing itself with capabilities in the fields of intelligence, surveillance, cybersecurity, space, electronic warfare and unmanned systems.
It is currently known that the Bangladesh Air Force is negotiating the acquisition of 48 JF-17 fighter jets, which will form three full-fledged squadrons. The purchase of the first squadron of 16 aircraft is estimated at about 720 million dollars. This amount includes the training of pilots and technicians, the creation of a repair base and the supply of weapons.
It is expected that the contract will be finalized in the near future, and the first deliveries may begin as early as 2026-2027. The choice fell on the newest version of the Block.3, capable of carrying Chinese-made PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles.
In addition to fighter jets, the package includes an accelerated supply of MFI-395 Super Mushshak training aircraft, which are necessary to train Bangladeshi pilots during the transition to new aircraft. The integration of Pakistan's air defense and radar systems into Bangladesh's overall air surveillance network is also being discussed.
The JF-17 is seen as a more affordable alternative to Western fighter jets and the more expensive Chinese J-10C.
Recall that a month ago, the Chief of Staff (Commander) Bangladesh Air Force Air Marshal Hassan Mahmood Khan has signed a letter of intent (LoI) regarding the acquisition of an unspecified number of EF-2000 Typhoon fighters from the Italian company Leonardo S.p.A.
Earlier in 2025, it was also reported that the Bangladesh Air Force decided to purchase 20 J-10C fighters from the Chinese company Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) worth about $ 2.2 billion. The cost of the J-10C itself is estimated at $1.2 billion, with the rest coming from maintenance, training, and spare parts.
The status and deadlines of both planned purchases were not disclosed. Relevant publications noted that it usually takes some time to get the approval of all necessary government agencies and settle financial issues before the contracts are signed.
CAMTO reference:
During the first tender (2011-2012), the Bangladesh Air Force received offers for the supply of F-16 and MiG-29SMT, and the purchase of JAS-39 Gripen and Su-30 was also evaluated. In 2013, the Chinese J-10 fighter was also mentioned in media reports, and in subsequent years, the JF-17 Thunder light combat aircraft.
In 2018, the Bangladesh Air Force announced a repeat tender for the purchase of eight fighters in the first stage. At the second stage, Dhaka planned to purchase four more aircraft, bringing the total number of aircraft of the selected type to 12 units. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a postponement of the decision on the choice of a new fighter.
The China Military Online publication, citing a source in the PLA, reported in an article dated January 24, 2019, that the Bangladesh Air Force sent a delegation to China in 2018 to evaluate the characteristics of the J-10C fighter developed by the Chinese company Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. Bangladesh became the first country to express its intention to purchase this aircraft (after Pakistan).
The tender was resumed in 2023. Dhaka was expected to decide on a fighter jet in 2024. It was believed that the main competition would unfold between the French company Dassault Aviation with Rafale and the European consortium Eurofighter with Typhoon. France has been negotiating with Bangladesh regarding the sale of 12 Rafale fighter jets to Dassault Aviation in the F3-R and F4 versions.
Currently, the Bangladesh Air Force operates eight MiG-29C/UB fighters purchased from Russia in the early 2000s, as well as 32 Chinese F-7s received between 1998 and 2013. In 2015-2016, 16 Russian Yak-130 UBS were also received.
