ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh is poised to formalise a significantgovernment-to-government agreement with China that promises to transformits military capabilities through the establishment of a dedicated facilityfor manufacturing military drones. This development, involving substantialfinancial commitment and technology transfer, emerges amid the nation’songoing efforts to modernise its armed forces and reduce dependence onimported defence equipment. The initiative has sparked discussions onregional security implications while highlighting Dhaka’s strategic pivottowards enhanced indigenous production in unmanned aerial systems.
The proposed deal, valued at approximately Tk608 crore or roughlyequivalent to tens of millions in US dollars, centres on importing andinstalling a complete drone manufacturing plant along with associatedtechnology from China Electronics Technology Group CorporationInternational, a prominent state-owned entity specialising in defenceelectronics. Negotiations between Bangladesh Air Force representatives andthe Chinese firm resulted in a cost reduction from an initial quote ofTk643.61 crore to the current figure, demonstrating effective bilateralbargaining. This facility aims to enable local assembly, maintenance, andeventual full-scale production of unmanned aerial vehicles tailored formilitary applications, thereby strengthening air defence and surveillancecapacities.
A key aspect of the agreement lies in its funding mechanism, which drawsentirely from the Bangladesh Air Force’s existing budget allocations underthe head of other machinery and equipment, obviating the need forsupplementary appropriations. Payments will occur through letters of creditover a phased period spanning fiscal years up to 2028-29, ensuringcompliance with national financial regulations. Such fiscal prudenceunderscores the project’s alignment with broader defence modernisationpriorities without straining public finances, while also reflectingconfidence in long-term operational benefits from domestic dronecapabilities.
The collaboration builds upon earlier discussions documented incoordination meetings from September 2025, chaired by senior officialsincluding the executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment DevelopmentAuthority. These sessions emphasised technology transfer as a cornerstonefor achieving self-reliance in defence production, aligning with the ForcesGoal 2030 framework that seeks to upgrade military hardware and fosterlocal industrial involvement. The Bangladesh Air Force will spearheadimplementation, leveraging Chinese expertise to bridge current gaps in UAVtechnology and operational know-how.
Experts note that this move represents a strategic response to evolvingregional dynamics, where unmanned systems have become integral to modernwarfare for reconnaissance, border monitoring, and potential combat roles.By establishing domestic production, Bangladesh aims to mitigatevulnerabilities associated with supply chain disruptions and high importcosts, while cultivating technical skills among its personnel. The facilitycould also pave the way for future expansions into related areas, such asaircraft maintenance, as hinted in prior Chinese proposals during relatedtalks.
Critics and observers have raised questions about the geopoliticalramifications, particularly in South Asia where defence acquisitions oftenintersect with broader alliances and rivalries. However, officials maintainthat the agreement is driven purely by national security needs and economicefficiency, without entailing exclusive alignments. The involvement of CETCInternational, whose products serve over 110 countries, lends credibilityto the technological quality and global acceptance of the transferredsystems.
Implementation timelines suggest rapid progress once the G-to-G pact issigned, with preparatory steps already advanced through policy approvalsfrom joint armed forces committees. This acceleration reflects urgency inenhancing air defence amid emerging threats, including those fromasymmetric warfare tactics increasingly reliant on drones. Domesticproduction would allow quicker integration of UAVs into Bangladesh AirForce operations, improving response times and operational flexibility.
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The deal also contributes to industrial growth by potentially creatingspecialised jobs and stimulating ancillary sectors in electronics andengineering. While primarily military-focused, spillover benefits couldextend to civilian applications, mirroring trends in other nations thathave leveraged defence investments for broader technological advancement.Bangladesh’s pursuit of such capabilities positions it competitively withinthe region, where several countries are investing heavily in unmannedtechnologies.
Overall, this anticipated agreement marks a pivotal chapter inBangladesh-China defence cooperation, reinforcing decades-long ties inmilitary hardware supply. As details finalise, the focus shifts toexecution and integration, with expectations that successful rollout willsignificantly elevate the nation’s defence posture and industrial autonomyin a rapidly changing security landscape.
Source:https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/industry/bangladesh-sign-tk608cr-deal-china-military-drone-plant-1331986
Tags: Bangladesh, China, Bangladesh Air Force, CETC International, MilitaryDrones
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