Why Is Bangladesh Buying China’s J-10CE Fighter Jets and What Could They Change?

Bangladesh’s military relationship with China dates back decades. In 1977, it acquired F-6 fighter jets from China, known in China as the J-6. One of those aircraft is now displayed publicly in Dhaka after being retired from service.

The J-10CE is a very different aircraft. It is a modern multirole fighter designed to carry out a range of missions, including air-to-air combat, ground attacks and other operations.

The aircraft attracted international attention during the recent India-Pakistan military tensions, after Pakistan claimed that J-10CEs had been used to shoot down Indian Rafale fighter jets. India did not accept the claim, but the episode generated considerable international discussion about the capabilities of the Chinese aircraft.

For Bangladesh, the proposed acquisition comes as its air force faces the challenge of replacing much older fighter jets.

Bangladesh’s ageing fighter fleet

Bangladesh’s first combat aircraft fleet was established shortly after the country gained independence in 1971. Between 1973 and 1974, the Soviet Union supplied Bangladesh with MiG-21 fighter jets as part of its military assistance.

Retired Bangladesh Air Force Air Commodore Ashfaque Elahi Chowdhury told BBC Bangla that the aircraft were new and supplied directly from the factory. Along with the fighters, Bangladesh also received missiles, bombs and rockets, while several groups of officers were sent to the Soviet Union for training.

China later became the main supplier of Bangladesh’s fighter aircraft. F-6 jets were acquired in 1977, followed by F-7 aircraft in the 1980s.

In 1999, Bangladesh also bought eight MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia. At the time, the MiG-29 was considered one of the world's leading air-superiority fighters.

But much of Bangladesh’s current fighter fleet is now ageing.

According to military website Global Firepower, Bangladesh has around 212 aircraft, including 44 fighter aircraft. These include eight Russian MiG-29s and 36 Chinese F-7s.

The air force also operates 14 Russian Yak-130 aircraft, primarily used for advanced training but capable of carrying out limited combat missions.

Bangladesh has also expanded its drone capabilities in recent years, including Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones and other unmanned aircraft.

Retired Air Vice Marshal M Abul Bashar told BBC Bangla that even Bangladesh's MiG-29s are now relatively old compared with the latest generation of combat aircraft.

He said most of the country's other fighter aircraft belong to an older technological generation, while major air forces around the world are increasingly operating 4.5-generation and fifth-generation aircraft.

Why does Bangladesh want the J-10CE?

The J-10CE is a multirole fighter, meaning it can perform several different missions rather than being designed for a single role.

It can engage enemy aircraft, strike ground targets and provide support for other military operations. Its modern radar, electronic warfare capabilities and beyond-visual-range weapons could give Bangladesh capabilities that are currently limited in its fighter fleet.

According to Bangladeshi defence officials cited by BBC Bangla, the planned acquisition involves more than simply purchasing aircraft. The package is expected to include training, spare parts, maintenance and logistical support.

Modern fighter aircraft also need to operate as part of a wider network. Radar systems, communications, electronic warfare equipment, air defence systems and unmanned aircraft all need to work together if a country wants to make full use of its combat aviation.

Bangladesh has been developing a nationwide ground-based radar network and is seeking to integrate it with its aircraft, drones and communications systems.

Is buying new fighter jets enough?

Military experts say modern aircraft alone do not guarantee a modern air force.

The aircraft need secure air bases, hardened shelters, reliable runways, fuel and weapons storage facilities, maintenance infrastructure and early-warning systems.

Bangladesh currently operates military aircraft from several airfields, many of which are shared with civilian aviation. Former Air Commodore Ashfaque Elahi Chowdhury has argued that this creates challenges because military operations during a conflict could be disrupted if runways or other key facilities are attacked.

The experience of the 1971 war also demonstrates the importance of airfield infrastructure. During the conflict, Indian attacks damaged the runway at Tejgaon airport, severely restricting the operations of Pakistani aircraft based there.

Defence experts say Bangladesh will therefore need to invest in hardened aircraft shelters, alternative runways and facilities that allow aircraft to be dispersed and protected during a conflict.

Retired Air Vice Marshal M Abul Bashar said Bangladesh has made progress in developing its air-defence infrastructure, but still has room to strengthen it.

Why does Bangladesh rely so heavily on China?

China has become one of Bangladesh's most important defence suppliers. Chinese equipment is used across several branches of the Bangladeshi armed forces, including the air force, navy and army.

Bangladesh's two submarines, for example, were built in China and joined its navy in 2017. Chinese-made ships, armoured vehicles, tanks and air-defence equipment also form part of the country's military inventory.

There are several reasons behind Bangladesh's reliance on Chinese defence equipment.

One is cost. Bangladeshi officials have argued that Chinese fighter aircraft can be significantly cheaper than comparable European or American platforms.

Another factor is the availability of military equipment with fewer political restrictions than those sometimes attached to Western defence deals.

China and Bangladesh have also developed increasingly close bilateral and defence ties, making Beijing a natural supplier for Dhaka.

The regional security environment is another consideration. Bangladesh shares borders with India and Myanmar, both of which operate a range of Russian-origin military equipment. Diversifying its military capabilities could give Bangladesh greater flexibility in responding to regional security challenges.

What could the J-10CE purchase change?

If Bangladesh completes the acquisition and successfully integrates the J-10CE into its wider defence network, the aircraft could represent a major upgrade for its air force.

But the real impact will depend on more than the number of aircraft purchased. Pilot training, weapons, maintenance, radar coverage, communications, airfield protection and the ability of different branches of the military to share information will all determine how effectively the new fighters can be used.

The planned J-10CE acquisition therefore represents not just a purchase of new fighter jets, but potentially the next stage in Bangladesh's broader attempt to transform an ageing air force into a more modern and integrated fighting force.