'Draft deal ready for Chinese fighter purchase'

Bangladesh has drawn up a draft agreement to buy Chinese J-10CE fighter jets as part of its air force modernisation, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman has said.

He made the disclosure at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday on the government’s progress on different initiatives.

“We have plans to modernise our air force. As part of this modernisation, the process of acquiring fourth-generation MRCA -- multirole combat aircraft, fighter aircraft, attack helicopters, VIP helicopters and UAV systems of different models -- is ongoing," he said.

Zahed said the purchase could proceed if budget support is secured during the current fiscal year. Otherwise, it could be included in the next fiscal year's budget.

On the proposed Chinese fighter purchase, he said: "For the MRCA... J-10CE and attack helicopters, a draft agreement has been prepared by a committee following negotiation meetings. I think we have seen discussions that Bangladesh may purchase J-10 fighters."

According to Reuters, the government is considering buying up to 24 J-10CE aircraft, although Zahed did not disclose the number, value or delivery timeline.

The proposed purchase would be one of Bangladesh's biggest defence procurements in years and could deepen military ties with China, its largest source of military hardware. 
    �" bdnews24