ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh have entered into high-level discussionsfor a comprehensive defense pact that may include the transfer of JF-17Thunder multi-role fighter jets to the Bangladesh Air Force, according toreliable military and diplomatic sources. The talks, held between the airchiefs of both countries, mark a significant step in rebuilding andstrengthening bilateral defense relations after decades of limited militaryengagement following Bangladesh’s independence. This development comes at atime when both nations seek to enhance their strategic autonomy in regionalsecurity matters amid evolving geopolitical realities in South Asia.
The meeting took place in Islamabad where Pakistan Air Force Chief AirChief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu hosted his Bangladeshi counterpartAir Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan for extensive deliberations. Officialstatements described the discussions as productive and focused on forging along-term strategic partnership. Both sides emphasized the historical andcultural affinities that bind the two Muslim-majority nations and expressedmutual interest in expanding cooperation across various defense domainsincluding training, maintenance support and equipment procurement.
Central to the negotiations is the potential acquisition by Bangladesh ofthe JF-17 Thunder, a lightweight multi-role combat aircraft jointlydeveloped by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu AircraftCorporation. The Block III variant, currently the most advanced inproduction, features an active electronically scanned array radar, advancedavionics, beyond-visual-range missiles and enhanced electronic warfarecapabilities. Pakistan has positioned the JF-17 as a cost-effective andreliable platform suitable for air forces with budget constraints whileoffering high operational flexibility.
Pakistan has achieved notable success in exporting the JF-17 platform inrecent years, securing contracts with several countries. Azerbaijan hasalready inducted multiple squadrons while a major $4 billion deal with theLibyan National Army includes significant numbers of the aircraft alongwith associated systems. These export achievements have strengthened theprogram’s credibility and demonstrated the jet’s combat-proven performancein various operational environments including counter-insurgency andconventional air defense roles.
For Bangladesh, the interest in JF-17 comes against the backdrop of itsongoing air force modernization program. The country has been seeking toreplace aging fleets and augment its limited fighter inventory to meetgrowing security requirements in the Bay of Bengal region. Acquiring theJF-17 would provide Dhaka with a modern fourth-generation capability at afraction of the cost of Western alternatives while ensuring commonality inmaintenance and logistics through existing regional partnerships.
The proposed pact extends beyond aircraft sales and encompasses broaderareas of collaboration. Discussions included accelerated delivery of SuperMushshak basic trainer aircraft already ordered by Bangladesh, enhancedpilot and technical training programs, and joint maintenance facilities.Both air forces expressed keen interest in conducting combined exercisesand sharing operational experiences to build interoperability and mutualconfidence in future engagements.
This renewed defense engagement follows significant political changes inBangladesh since mid-2024. The transition to an interim administrationunder Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has created new opportunities forrecalibrating foreign relations. Pakistan has moved swiftly to capitalizeon this opening through high-level visits and diplomatic outreach aimed atrestoring fraternal ties that had remained strained for many years due tohistorical sensitivities.
Analysts view the prospective pact as strategically significant for bothcapitals. For Pakistan it represents further diversification of its defenseexport market and consolidation of the JF-17 program as a flagship productof indigenous defense industry. For Bangladesh it offers an avenue tostrengthen deterrence capabilities without excessive dependence ontraditional suppliers while fostering closer ties with a fellow South Asianpower sharing similar security concerns.
The talks have generated considerable interest across the region withobservers closely watching whether these discussions translate intoconcrete agreements in the coming months. If finalized the defense pactcould become one of the most substantial military cooperation initiativesbetween Pakistan and Bangladesh since 1971 and potentially reshape aspectsof the South Asian security landscape.
Source:https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-eyes-defence-pact-with-bangladesh-sale-jf-17-jets-2026-01-06/
Tags: Pakistan, Bangladesh, JF-17 Thunder, Pakistan Air Force, BangladeshAir Force
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