ISLAMABAD: Recent high-level discussions between the air chiefs of Pakistanand Bangladesh on the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder fighter jetshave raised significant concerns in India, with Indian analysts expressingfears that this development could alter the delicate balance of power inSouth Asia and reopen strategic vulnerabilities closed since 1971.
The meeting, held in Islamabad on January 6, involved Pakistan Air ForceChief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and his Bangladeshi counterpart, AirChief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, who led a high-level defence delegation.According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, detailed talks focused onstrengthening bilateral air force cooperation, including trainingprogrammes and the possible acquisition of the advanced multi-role JF-17aircraft.
This engagement comes amid reports that Bangladesh may be the unidentified”friendly nation” that signed a memorandum of understanding with Pakistanfor JF-17 Block III jets at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025. Speculationsuggests the deal could involve 16 to 32 aircraft, valued between 400million and potentially billions of dollars, aimed at modernising theBangladesh Air Force.
The JF-17 Thunder, jointly developed by Pakistan’s Aeronautical Complex andChina’s Aviation Industry Corporation, has proven its combat effectivenessin operations and has secured exports to countries like Myanmar, Nigeria,and Azerbaijan. For Bangladesh, acquiring these jets would mark asignificant upgrade from its ageing fleet, enhancing capabilities in airdefence and multi-role operations.
Indian analysts have reacted with alarm, viewing the rapprochement as areversal of gains from the 1971 Liberation War. Social media platforms haveseen Indian users voicing apprehensions that Dhaka’s gradual re-entry intoPakistan’s strategic orbit could destabilise the regional equilibrium,forcing New Delhi to contend with threats on multiple fronts beyond theongoing tensions with China.
One prominent concern highlighted online is the potential for India to facea two-front scenario involving Pakistan directly and indirectly throughstrengthened Bangladeshi capabilities. Commentators argue that withoutlong-term strategic foresight, past policies may now compel India torevisit defensive postures abandoned decades ago.
Defence experts note that the JF-17 Block III variant features advancedavionics, active electronically scanned array radar, and enhanced weaponsystems, making it a cost-effective fourth-generation plus fighter. Itsinduction into the Bangladesh Air Force could shift air power dynamics inthe eastern theatre, particularly near sensitive areas like the SiliguriCorridor.
Pakistan has actively promoted the JF-17 as part of its defence exportstrategy, with the aircraft demonstrating reliability in real-worldscenarios. The discussions also covered maintenance support and radarmodernisation, indicating a broader ecosystem of cooperation that couldsustain long-term ties between the two air forces.
While no final agreement has been announced, the talks underscore a warmingof relations between Islamabad and Dhaka, driven by mutual interests indefence and economic spheres. This development occurs against a backdrop ofBangladesh’s ongoing military modernisation under its Forces Goal 2030plan, seeking diversified sources for advanced equipment.
Indian strategic circles remain watchful, with some describing thepotential sale as a policy setback that risks reopening doors firmly shutin 1971. The evolving trilateral dynamics involving Pakistan, Bangladesh,and China add layers of complexity to South Asia’s security landscape,prompting calls for vigilant monitoring in New Delhi.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1965452
Tags: Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, JF-17 Thunder, Bangladesh Air Force,Pakistan Air Force
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