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Bangladesh eyes J-10CE fighter jets over Rafale or Typhoon: Dr Zahed
Published : Tuesday, 25 August, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Observer Online Report
Collected Photo
Procurement activities are currently underway to collect the advanced fourth-gen Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA), fighter jets, attack helicopters, and UAV systems as part of modernizing Air Force, said PM’s advisor Dr Zahed Ur Rahman.
He said discussions and negotiations regarding the purchase of Chinese J-10CE fighter aircrafts are progressing.
He made the statements on Tuesday (August 25) during a press conference held at the Secretariat regarding the progress of various government activities. Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman and Minister of State Yasser Khan Chowdhury were present at the press conference.
Zahed Ur Rahman stated that procurement efforts for various fourth-generation MRCA models, fighter jets, attack helicopters, VIP helicopters, and UAV systems are ongoing under the air force modernization project. He noted these plans will be implemented if necessary budget allocations are received in the current fiscal year, or deferred to the next budget.
Chinese J10-C Multi-Role Combat Aircraft
He said draft agreements have been prepared through the relevant committee following negotiation meetings on acquiring MRCA, J-10CE aircraft, and attack helicopters. In effect, discussions regarding the acquisition of J-10 fighters are progressing.
Highlighting the capabilities of the Chinese-built J-10 fighter, the Prime Minister's adviser pointed to real-world experience during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. He claimed that J-10 fighters played a role in downing Indian Rafale jets during that conflict.
He noted that the Rafale is considered one of the leading 4.5-generation fighters. Conversely, the Chinese-made multi-role J-10 fighter demonstrated strong performance in real combat conditions, prompting Bangladesh to pursue the matter seriously.
Zahed Ur Rahman added that Chinese fighters of comparable capability are relatively less expensive than European jets like the Rafale or Eurofighter Typhoon. The decision is therefore being made considering both cost and effectiveness to enhance defense capabilities.
Emphasizing Bangladesh's independent decision-making in foreign and defense policy, he said the nation can now take strategic foreign and military policy decisions based on national interests. This shift has made discussions on purchasing J-10 fighters possible.
He added that taking such decisions was not possible before August 5 in the past. Now Bangladesh can make decisions keeping its strategic interests at the forefront, leading many to refer to the present period as a 'second independence.'
However, he clarified that this cannot be compared to the independence achieved in the 1971 Liberation War.
-SA
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
