Dhaka’s decision to buy the fighters shows that views on Chinese weapons are shifting and the market is opening, military expert says
2-MIN READ2-MINAlbee Zhangin ShanghaiPublished: 5:00pm, 28 Aug 2026Bangladesh 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.
The draft proposal also includes the purchase of Chinese attack helicopters, VIP transport helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, according to the PID, the government’s official news distribution wing.
“Subject to necessary budgetary allocation in the current fiscal year, this procurement will be executed immediately; otherwise, it will roll over into the next budget cycle,” it said. Bangladesh’s current budget year runs from July of this year to June of next year.
Rahman told reporters that Bangladesh had “paid attention” to the conflict between Pakistan and India in May of last year, when Pakistan reportedly used J-10CE fighters equipped with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars and PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles to shoot down Indian Rafale fighters.
