ISLAMABAD: Indian defence circles suggest Bangladesh is the enigmatic buyerbehind Pakistan’s recent memorandum of understanding for JF-17 Block IIIfighter jets, sealed at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The deal, valued betweenUSD 400 million and USD 700 million, reportedly encompasses 16 to 24advanced aircraft, marking a pivotal upgrade for the Bangladesh Air Force’sageing inventory of F-7MB, FT-7BG, and MiG-series planes. This acquisitionunderscores Dhaka’s push toward modernizing its aerial capabilities amidevolving South Asian dynamics.
The agreement, announced by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relationswithout disclosing the client’s identity due to strategic sensitivities,has fueled speculation. Negotiations may have quietly progressed in Dhaka,aligning with Bangladesh’s pattern of late-stage procurement announcements.As the fourth international operator—following Myanmar, Nigeria, andAzerbaijan—this transaction bolsters the JF-17’s export credentials, aco-production between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s ChengduAircraft Corporation, enhancing bilateral ties between Islamabad and Dhaka.
Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, active electronically scannedarray radar, and compatibility for beyond-visual-range missiles like thePL-15E, the JF-17 Block III represents a leap in multirole proficiency. Itsintegration of long-range armaments, including the PL-15 with an extendedengagement envelope, positions it as a formidable asset for air superiorityand precision strikes. Such features have drawn international acclaim, yetthey also amplify concerns over proliferation in volatile neighbourhoods.
For Bangladesh, the jets promise to address vulnerabilities in its easternflank, replacing obsolete Soviet-era platforms and enablinginteroperability with regional allies. This move aligns with Dhaka’sdefence diversification strategy, reducing reliance on single supplierswhile fostering technical exchanges, including pilot training inPakistan—the first such collaboration since 1971. It signals a pragmaticapproach to safeguarding maritime interests in the Bay of Bengal.
However, the development has elicited unease from Indian military quarters,who view the deployment of PL-15-armed JF-17s on both eastern and westernborders as a precarious escalation. Analysts in New Delhi warn that themissile’s superior range could tilt airpower balances, complicatingdeterrence postures and heightening cross-border tensions. This sentimentechoes broader apprehensions about unchecked arms transfers exacerbatingregional instabilities.
The prospective deal not only cements Pakistan’s role as an emergingdefence exporter but also reshapes strategic equilibria in South Asia. Asdetails unfold, stakeholders anticipate further disclosures that couldinfluence diplomatic engagements and counter-proliferation efforts,underscoring the intricate interplay of security imperatives in thesubcontinent.