Bangladesh Air Force to buy Eurofighter Typhoon J 10C and JF 17 jets

Key Highlights

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) is set to modernize with advanced fighter jets and attack helicopters.
Procurement includes: Italy: 10 Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat aircraft (4.5 generation) by 2027, Turkey: 6 T-129 attack helicopters, China: 20 J-10C multirole fighter jets (approx. $220 million), Pakistan: 16 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets (approx. $720 million)
An inter-ministerial 12-member committee has been formed to oversee contracts, technical evaluations, and negotiations.
Modernization aims to strengthen air defense, national sovereignty, and regional strategic readiness.
BAF currently operates 212 aircraft, including 44 fighter jets, with F-7 and MiG-29B as primary combat assets.

Bangladesh Air Force: Guarding the Skies

Under the motto “বাংলার আকাশ রাখিব মুক্ত” (We Will Keep Bangladesh’s Sky Free), the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) plays a pivotal role in protecting the nation’s airspace from external threats. In traditional warfare, the Air Force works alongside the Army and Navy to neutralize adversaries. BAF personnel are recognized globally for excellence in aircraft operation and aerial missions.

However, the Air Force has long faced a shortage of modern fighter jets and helicopters. Recognizing this gap, the caretaker government is taking significant steps to modernize BAF and strengthen national air defense.

Major Aircraft and Helicopter Procurement Plans

Eurofighter Typhoon (Italy)-

10 multirole combat aircraft planned by 2027.
NATO-standard, twin-engine jets capable of speeds up to 2,495 km/h and a range of 2,900 km without refueling.
Features: Delta wing & canard design for superior maneuverability, stealth technology, advanced radar and sensors, high-altitude endurance, and multi-mission capability (air superiority, ground attack, electronic warfare).
Supports naval operations with anti-ship missiles keeping adversaries at least 2,500 km away.

T-129 Attack Helicopter (Turkey)-

Six helicopters to be acquired.
Dual-engine, two-seat helicopters suitable for any climate and time of day.
Armaments include a 20 mm three-barrel rotary cannon, rockets, L-UMTAS & CIRIT missiles, air-to-air stinger missiles.
Capable of reconnaissance and precision strikes.

J-10C Fighter Jet (China)-

20 aircraft worth $220 million (approx. 27,060 crore BDT).
Single-engine, highly maneuverable, excels in high-altitude dogfights.
Twice the speed of sound, top speed approx. 2,415 km/h.
Cost-effective alternative to Western jets without purchase restrictions.

JF-17 Thunder (Pakistan)-

16 multirole jets worth $720 million (approx. 8,856 crore BDT).
All-weather, lightweight fighter jet capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
Equipped with advanced weapon systems from Brazil, France, and China.
First prototype flown in August 2003; max speed 2,205 km/h, max take-off weight 12,700 kg.

Storola এর মাধ্যমে দ্রুত এবং নির্ভুল ওয়েবসাইট ডেলিভারি

Inter-Ministerial Committee and Procurement Process

A 12-member committee led by an Air Vice Marshal has been formed, including representatives from, Prime Minister’s Office, Defense Ministry, Finance Division, Economic Relations Division, Foreign Ministry, Law Ministry, National Board of Revenue, Armed Forces Division, and Air Headquarters experts. Procurement aims to be completed within the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Responsibilities:

Draft contract reviews, G2G negotiations with Italy and Turkey, aircraft maintenance, training, spare parts management.
Finalize pricing, payment methods, and execute contracts.

Strategic Significance and Expert Opinions

Officials cite regional security crises including tensions in Pakistan-India, China-India borders, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Chickan Neck, and Myanmar as reasons for urgent modernization.

Former Assistant Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force Air Commodore (Retd.) Md. Shafiqul Islam told Kaler Kantho,

‘বিমান ও হেলিকপ্টার কেনার উদ্যোগ বিমানবাহিনীর আধুনিকতার সূচনা। সামনে হয়তো দেশের আকাশ প্রতিরক্ষা ও সার্বভৌমত্ব রক্ষার স্বার্থে এই ধারা অব্যাহত থাকবে। এটা বিমানবাহিনীর তীরের মাথার মতো। এর পাশাপাশি শত্রুর অবস্থান নির্ণয়, কমিউনিকেশন, সার্ভেইল্যান্স, লাইভ ইনফরমেশনের মতো অন্যান্য সিস্টেমেরও ডেভেলপ করতে হবে। অবকাঠামোগত উন্নয়ন করতে হবে। যেমন—ইকুইপমেন্ট সিস্টেম, লজিস্টিক, নেটওয়ার্ক, টেকনিক্যাল। তবে সবচেয়ে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ দক্ষ ও প্রশিক্ষিত জনবল; যেটা নিয়ে আমাদের কোনো সমস্যা নেই। বিশ্বের ২২ জন লিভিং ইগলের একজন ছিলেন বাংলাদেশি সাইফুল আজম, যিনি তুলনামূলক দুর্বল বিমান দিয়ে ইসরায়েলের বিমান ভূপাতিত করেছিলেন।’
Translation: “The initiative to purchase aircraft and helicopters is the beginning of the modernity of the Air Force. Perhaps in the future, this trend will continue in the interest of protecting the country’s air defense and sovereignty. It is like the head of the Air Force’s arrow. Along with this, other systems such as enemy location, communication, surveillance, live information must also be developed. Infrastructure must be developed. For example, equipment systems, logistics, networks, technical. But the most important thing is skilled and trained manpower; which we have no problem with. One of the 22 Living Eagles in the world was Bangladeshi Saiful Azam, who shot down an Israeli plane with a relatively weak aircraft.”

Regarding the quality of aircraft and helicopters, he said,

‘ইউরোফাইটার টাইফুন ও জে-১০সি বিমান দুটি বিশ্বমানের। ন্যাটোভুক্ত দেশগুলো ইউরোফাইটার বিমান ব্যবহার করে। এই বিমান ডবল ইঞ্জিনের এবং এর রেঞ্জ বেশি। নৌবাহিনীকে সাপোর্ট দেওয়ার উপযোগী। অ্যান্টিশিপ মিসাইল থাকায় শত্রুপক্ষ নৌবাহিনী অন্তত দুই হাজার ৫০০ কিলোমিটার দূরে থাকবে। আর চীনের বিমান ৪.৫ জেনারেশনের ও পশ্চিমা বিমানের চেয়ে অনেক ব্যয়সাশ্রয়ী। এ ছাড়া এই বিমান কেনায় কোনো শর্ত নেই। আমেরিকার অস্ত্র কিনে পাকিস্তান-মিসরের অনেকটাই হাত বাঁধা। এ ছাড়া তুরস্কের ড্রোন অনেক বড় ও বেশি অস্ত্র বহনে সক্ষম। একই সঙ্গে রাডারে এই বিমান শনাক্ত করা যায় না।’
Translation: “The Eurofighter Typhoon and J-10C aircraft are both world-class. NATO countries use Eurofighter aircraft. This aircraft is double-engined and has a long range. It is suitable for supporting the navy. With anti-ship missiles, the enemy navy will be at least 2,500 kilometers away. And the Chinese aircraft are 4.5 generation and much more cost-effective than Western aircraft. Apart from that, there are no conditions for buying these aircraft. Pakistan and Egypt are largely tied by buying American weapons. Apart from that, Turkish drones are much larger and capable of carrying more weapons. At the same time, these aircraft cannot be detected on radar.”