Bangladesh and China Sign Agreement for Military Drone Production
According to a report from the Belgian Army Recognition website on January 28, 2026: On January 27, 2026, the Bangladesh Air Force signed an intergovernmental agreement with CETC International, the international export department of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), at the Dhaka Camp, deciding to establish a local military drone manufacturing and assembly plant, taking an important step toward self-reliance in defense production. The agreement includes full technology transfer and is expected to achieve the local production, maintenance, and full life cycle support of various drone platforms for reconnaissance, surveillance, and potential strike missions, according to officials familiar with the project.
The official name of the project is "UAV Manufacturing Plant Construction and Technology Transfer (ToT)" with an approved budget of 608.08 crore taka (approximately 55 million US dollars). About 570.60 crore taka will be used for the import, installation, and commissioning of the factory and related technical systems; the remaining 37.47 crore taka will be used for domestic expenses, including letters of credit and value-added tax. The funds will be allocated over four fiscal years (from 2025–26 to 2028–29), all sourced from the existing budget of the Bangladesh Air Force, without any additional financial allocation.
Although the specific specifications of the technology transfer have not been disclosed, the official scope includes the domestic assembly and final production of multiple drone platforms, including:
1. Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones for continuous reconnaissance and surveillance;
2. Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) systems suitable for tactical support and complex terrain environments;
3. A series of domestically produced drones for multi-domain applications. Notably, the project also prioritizes dual-use capabilities, which can be used for humanitarian aid and disaster response, highlighting the growing importance of drones in both military and civilian crisis environments.
A senior defense insider in Bangladesh emphasized that the cooperation with CETC aims to gradually reduce dependence on foreign unmanned systems by embedding key knowledge and industrial capabilities within national institutions. This facility will not only serve as a production base but also become a foundation for future research and development, allowing the Bangladesh Air Force to maintain, improve, or even innovate beyond the initial platforms under the agreement.
Although the full production schedule has not been announced, officials expect construction and initial production to start within the next 18 to 24 months. The location of the facility and the nature of the technological collaboration also carry broader regional significance, especially at a time when Dhaka is maintaining close economic ties with Beijing while balancing strategic relationships with neighboring India and other Indo-Pacific stakeholders.
Statement: The above equipment data comes from the report on Army Recognition website.
Follow this official account to get more military news.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1855569344296073/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.