Will Bangladesh buy the aircraft used by Pakistan during 'Operation Sindoor'? Increasing India's concern?
Bangladesh Buying Chinese J-10CE Fighter Jets: Bangladesh, a neighboring country of India, is preparing to purchase advanced fighter jets equipped with cutting-edge technology from China to strengthen its air force.
Written by Explained Desk | Updated: June 25, 2026 15:46 IST
Bangladesh has planned to purchase state-of-the-art fighter jets from China to bolster its air force. Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tariq Rahman is currently on a visit to China and will meet President Xi Jinping. It is said that after this meeting, an agreement regarding the purchase of fighter jets is likely to be signed between the two countries. If this deal succeeds, Bangladesh will become the second country in the world after Pakistan to use these advanced fighter jets. India's defense forces are particularly focused on these developments. Pakistan used the same class of fighter jets to attack India during 'Operation Sindoor'.
What is Bangladesh's effort exactly?
Bangladesh's interest in purchasing 'J-10CE' fighter jets is linked to its ambitious defense program 'Forces Goal 2030'. Under this long-term plan, Bangladesh aims to strengthen all three branches of its defense forces. This country, bordering India, currently has a limited fleet of fighter jets. They have about 36 Chinese-made F-7/J-7 aircraft and 8 Russian-made MiG-29 aircraft. Most of these aircraft are outdated, limiting their ability to meet modern warfare needs. Against this backdrop, Bangladesh has been exploring next-generation fighter jet options for years to improve air security, precision strike capability, and surveillance.
What is the exact nature of this deal?
Bangladesh has preferred Chinese-made J-10CE jets because they are cheaper compared to expensive Western aircraft. According to reports, the price of one J-10CE aircraft could be around $40 million. This price is much lower than Western fighter jets like France's Rafale or the US F-16. Including weapons, maintenance, training, and other facilities, the cost of purchasing these aircraft could exceed $100 million. However, the deal under discussion is not limited to just the purchase of aircraft. It also includes weapons, pilot training, maintenance infrastructure, spare parts, logistical support, and other necessary equipment. Therefore, the total cost of the program is estimated to reach around $2.2 billion. Currently, talks are ongoing between China and Bangladesh for this defense deal, and it is being discussed that the final agreement will be reached by August this year.
What are the features of the J-10CE fighter jet?
The J-10CE is considered one of the main fighter jets of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force. China inducted this aircraft into its air force in 2018. It is said to incorporate many advanced technologies necessary for modern aerial warfare. The aircraft features a delta wing and canard foreplane configuration, which increases its agility and turning capability. It also has a digital 'fly-by-wire' control system and is powered by the Chinese-developed WS-10B afterburning turbofan engine. This aircraft can fly at twice the speed of sound. Its biggest feature is considered to be the AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar. Compared to traditional radar systems, this radar can track multiple targets simultaneously. It also has the ability to function while evading enemy electronic jamming systems. The aircraft has 11 hardpoints for mounting weapons and can carry up to 5,600 kilograms of armament. Notably, this aircraft is capable of firing China's most advanced and long-range air-to-air missile, the PL-15. With this missile, a pilot can accurately attack an enemy aircraft from a great distance before it comes into visual range.
Why is India focused on this deal?
The role of Chinese aircraft came into discussion during the military tension between India and Pakistan following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. During India's 'Operation Sindoor', the Pakistani air force's aircraft included the J-10CE. During and after the conflict, Pakistani officials and analysts made various claims about the performance of the J-10CE against Indian fighter jets. In particular, it was claimed that Pakistani aircraft shot down some Indian fighters, including the Rafale. However, these claims later proved false. This year, the Indian Air Force issued tenders for five months of maintenance and logistical support for its Rafale fleet. These documents clearly mentioned all 36 Rafale aircraft India purchased from France in 2016. This debunked claims that Pakistan had shot down any Rafale aircraft. Meanwhile, if Bangladesh, like Pakistan, also gets Chinese-made similar fighter jets, similar military systems could be deployed on India's eastern and western borders.
India's focus on Lalmonirhat airbase
The most worrying aspect for India is where these aircraft could be stationed in Bangladesh. For that, the name of 'Lalmonirhat' airstrip in northern Bangladesh is emerging. Bangladesh is redeveloping this World War II-era airbase, and it is speculated that China may be involved. Lalmonirhat is located just 12 to 15 kilometers from the Indian border. It is also near the highly sensitive 'Siliguri Corridor' which connects India's northeastern states to the rest of the country. Information has emerged that several infrastructure facilities, including a new fighter jet hangar, are being built at this base. Therefore, Indian security agencies and policymakers are closely monitoring these developments. Meanwhile, experts have expressed the view that even if Bangladesh purchases 24 Chinese-made J-10CE aircraft, India will not be perturbed at all.
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Is this a warning bell for India?
The Indian Air Force's capability in eastern India is much larger and more advanced compared to Bangladesh. Under the Eastern Air Command headquartered in Shillong, advanced Su-30MKI and Rafale aircraft are stationed at bases in Assam and West Bengal. Additionally, India has an integrated command system, advanced surveillance network, and multi-layered air defense system. According to defense analysts, the question is not just about the number of aircraft. In the future, both Pakistan and Bangladesh could have similar types of aircraft, radar systems, weapons, and maintenance systems. This would add another country in South Asia using China's J-10CE. This could create new possibilities for coordination in training, maintenance, and logistics. Previously, due to Bangladesh Air Force's older aircraft, its role in regional air power equations was considered limited. However, the J-10CE could change the situation. Its lethality, radar system, long-range weapons, and advanced sensor technology are far superior to older aircraft. This could enhance Bangladesh's capability in strategically important maritime areas like the Bay of Bengal.
First published on: 25-06-2026 at 15:11 IST | © IE Online Media Services (P) Ltd
TOPICS: Operation Sindoor, China, Pakistan Attack, Bangladesh, Marathi News, Loksatta Explained
