**Christchurch, New Zealand** — As of now, two air forces operate the Chinese-manufactured J-10 fighter jet: China and Pakistan. However, there is potential for a third nation, **Bangladesh**, to become an operator of this 4.5-generation aircraft.
In **September 2023**, Air Chief Marshal **Hasan Mahmood Khan**, Bangladesh’s top air force officer, announced that the interim government had given in-principle approval for the acquisition of “multirole combat and attack aircraft,” along with new surface-to-air missiles and long-range radars for the **Bangladesh Air Force (BAF)**.
Although Khan did not specify the aircraft type, there is a strong likelihood that the BAF will procure the **J-10CE fighter** from China. This ambition was initially discussed when **Muhammad Yumus**, the interim Chief Adviser and head of the caretaker government, met with **Chinese President Xi Jinping** in **March 2023**.
The government indicates that the BAF could potentially purchase up to **20 J-10CE jets by 2027**. However, the purchase must still be approved by an inter-ministerial committee led by Khan, which will also negotiate with Chinese officials.
The estimated cost for the aircraft is **$1.2 billion**, while including training and spare parts could total **$2.2 billion**. The payments would be distributed over a ten-year period, extending into the mid-2030s.
Geopolitically, Bangladesh, which shares borders with **India** and to a lesser extent **Myanmar**, must ensure it can defend its airspace and protect its territory in the **Bay of Bengal**.
The urgent need for new fighters stems from the BAF’s aging fleet, mainly consisting of obsolete Chinese-built F-7s and Russian MiG-29s. An accident involving an F-7 in **July 2023**, which crashed into a college campus in **Dhaka** resulting in approximately **36 fatalities**, underscores this urgency.
In addition to exploring the J-10, the BAF has considered Western options, such as the **Eurofighter Typhoon**—demonstration flights were conducted in **Italy** in **May 2023**.
However, the purchase of the J-10 might be favored due to Bangladesh’s ongoing use of Chinese military equipment, including recent acquisitions of **Type 15 light tanks** and **Type 035G submarines**.
The potential procurement of the J-10CE under Bangladesh’s **Forces Goal 2030 modernization plan** could challenge Western nations like the United States. If successful, these jets would operate along India’s borders to the west, north, and east.
The interest in the J-10CE was sparked further by its reportedly impressive performance during an aerial conflict between **India and Pakistan** in **May 2023**, where Pakistani J-10CEs gained significant publicity.
**Brendan Mulvaney**, director of the **China Aerospace Studies Institute**, described the J-10C as “a modern and fairly capable aircraft, the best one that China exports.” He noted that the conflict between India and Pakistan demonstrates the effectiveness and capability of Chinese-made equipment, which could extend its influence beyond China’s borders.
Overall, with features like its **active electronically scanned array radar**, data links, and beyond-visual-range missiles like the **PL-15E**, the J-10CE would significantly enhance the BAF’s combat capabilities.
**Gordon Arthur** is an Asia correspondent for **Defense News**, currently based in New Zealand. He has extensive experience in military exercises and defense exhibitions throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
