Bangladesh weighs JF-17 purchase as Pakistan pitches China-partnered fighter jet

Amid strained ties with India following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is weighing the possible procurement of JF-17 fighter jets as Pakistan pitches the China-backed aircraft, according to a report by Dawn.

Bangladesh air chief meets Pakistan counterpart in Islamabad

The report, citing a press release issued by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said Bangladesh Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met Pakistan Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu during a visit to Islamabad. The Bangladeshi air chief led a high-level defence delegation and was accorded a guard of honour.

JF-17 procurement talks and regional implications

The statement added that detailed discussions were held on the possible procurement of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, jointly developed by China and Pakistan, and that the delegation visited key PAF facilities. The visit underlined Pakistan’s efforts to expand defence cooperation with Dhaka at a time when Bangladesh appears to be recalibrating its regional alignments, even as India remains closely watchful of developments in its eastern neighbourhood.

Post-Hasina reset in Dhaka

The engagement comes against the backdrop of a visible shift in Dhaka’s foreign policy since the removal of Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Hasina had maintained close strategic and security ties with India, particularly on counter-terrorism and regional stability. Since her ouster, relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have shown signs of warming, marking a departure from decades of mistrust rooted in the 1971 Liberation War and the atrocities and human rights violations committed by West Pakistan during that period.

Strain in India–Bangladesh ties

India–Bangladesh ties, meanwhile, have faced strain following reports of attacks on Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh, raising concerns in New Delhi over the country’s internal stability and rights record.

Pak-Bangladesh focus on training and defence cooperation

According to the ISPR statement, the meeting focused on enhancing operational cooperation and institutional coordination, with emphasis on training, capacity building and collaboration in aerospace development. Air Chief Marshal Sidhu briefed his counterpart on recent developments within the PAF and reiterated Pakistan’s offer to support the Bangladesh Air Force through training programmes ranging from basic to advanced flying and specialised courses.

Super Mushshak delivery, radar support discussed

Sidhu also assured fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with long-term training and support arrangements. The Bangladeshi air chief, the statement said, praised the PAF’s combat record and expressed interest in its operational experience, particularly in maintaining an ageing fleet and integrating air defence radar systems to strengthen surveillance.