ISLAMABAD: Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Chief of Air Staff of theBangladesh Air Force, is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on January 4 for asix-day official visit, leading a delegation of six senior officers. Thismarks the first such high-level engagement by a Bangladesh air force chiefsince 1971, underscoring a significant warming of military relationsbetween the two nations. The visit is expected to focus on evaluating theJF-17 Thunder fighter jet and discussions toward a potential memorandum ofunderstanding for acquiring one to two squadrons.
The delegation includes Air Commodore Mohammad Kamrul Islam, Group CaptainMohammad Mahbubur Rahman, and two flight lieutenants, accompanied by theair chief’s spouse, Saleha Khan. According to documents from Bangladesh’sArmed Forces Division, the trip aims to enhance cooperation between the airforces and provide valuable experience for the consolidation of BangladeshAir Force capabilities under its ongoing modernisation programme.
This visit comes amid a series of high-level military exchanges that beganin early 2025. Previous engagements included visits by Pakistani naval andjoint chiefs officials to Dhaka, as well as Bangladeshi delegations toIslamabad, where interest in Pakistani defence hardware was expressed. TheJF-17 Thunder, a jointly developed multi-role fighter by Pakistan andChina, has emerged as a key point of discussion due to its affordabilityand advanced capabilities.
The JF-17 Block III variant features an active electronically scanned arrayradar, enhanced avionics, and beyond-visual-range missile integration,making it a 4.5-generation platform suitable for modern air forces.Bangladesh has been seeking to replace its ageing fleet of F-7 and MiG-29aircraft, with evaluations of various options including Western and Chinesefighters. Cost considerations have reportedly shifted focus toward moreeconomical solutions like the JF-17.
Analysts note that Bangladesh initiated formal evaluations of the JF-17 inJanuary 2025, including feasibility studies and technical briefings. Recentreports suggest that a memorandum of understanding signed at the DubaiAirshow 2025 with an unnamed friendly nation may involve Bangladesh,potentially for 16 to 24 aircraft valued between 400 and 700 million USdollars.
During the visit, the delegation is likely to tour Pakistan AeronauticalComplex facilities in Kamra, where the JF-17 is produced, and engage indetailed briefings on operational aspects. Pilot familiarisation andmaintenance training opportunities are also anticipated, building onearlier decisions to send Bangladesh Air Force personnel for advancedtraining in Pakistan.
This development reflects broader geopolitical shifts in South Asia, withBangladesh pursuing diversification in defence partnerships under itsForces Goal 2030 initiative. The programme seeks to build a modern,multi-dimensional air force capable of addressing regional securitychallenges, including maritime domain awareness over the Bay of Bengal.
Historical ties between the air forces trace back to pre-1971 eras, withsome Bangladeshi officers having trained in Pakistan. Renewed cooperationcould facilitate technology transfer and joint exercises, strengtheninginstitutional links. Pakistan has positioned the JF-17 as a competitiveexport product, already in service with Myanmar, Nigeria, and Azerbaijan.
Observers anticipate that successful evaluations could lead to a formalagreement for one or two squadrons, comprising 16 to 32 aircraft. Such anacquisition would mark Bangladesh’s largest fighter jet procurement andenhance interoperability with Pakistan Air Force standards.
The visit concludes on January 9, potentially paving the way for deepercollaboration in aviation training, maintenance, and future co-productionarrangements. Both nations view this as a step toward mutual securityinterests in a dynamic regional environment.
Source:https://nenews.in/neighbours/bangladesh-air-chief-marshal-hasan-mahmood-khan-to-be-in-pakistan-between-jan-4-and-9/38739/
Tags: Bangladesh, Pakistan, JF-17 Thunder, Hasan Mahmood Khan, BangladeshAir Force
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