Bangladesh has secured special treatment from China, purchasing 20 J-10CE multirole fighters for $1.42 billion, with a 20% down payment offering significant financial flexibility. According to a November 6 report by the Bangla-language daily *Future Time*, the government has approved the acquisition under a government-to-government (G2G) framework, with the Prime Minister’s endorsement and formal state guarantee issued by the Ministry of Finance. Delivery is expected to begin in 2027.

The total value previously disclosed amounts to $2.2 billion (approximately RMB 15 billion), including a base price of $1.2 billion for the 20 aircraft, $820 million for training equipment, and $180 million for insurance and infrastructure. It is known that China has agreed to a 10-year installment plan, resulting in an annual outlay of roughly $220 million—considered highly flexible given Bangladesh’s total defense budget of around $350 million.

In reality, this procurement is an urgent necessity for Bangladesh. The country’s air force remains reliant on 35 J-7BG/BGI fighters and eight aging MiG-29s. A fatal crash of a J-7BGI trainer in July last year resulted in significant casualties. Meanwhile, India has deployed 18 Dassault Rafale fighters along the eastern border, just 67 kilometers from Dhaka. At a base unit price of $60 million per J-10CE, versus $240 million per Rafale, the cost differential is stark.

Indeed, the total cost of this batch of 20 J-10CEs would purchase fewer than six Rafales in Europe. For Bangladesh, the most rational strategic choice is acquiring a platform capable of countering India’s Rafale fleet directly.

Even more critical is Bangladesh’s long-standing reliance on Chinese military hardware: submarines, tanks, air defense systems, and early warning aircraft have all been supplied by China. The J-10CE can seamlessly integrate with existing ZDK-03 airborne early warning platforms and HQ-9BE air defense systems, forming a cohesive combat network without requiring a complete overhaul of logistics or maintenance infrastructure. As a result, Bangladesh will become the second nation after Pakistan to operate a fully integrated Chinese air defense and air combat system.

If finalized, this deal would mark a significant milestone for China’s defense exports. It signifies the J-10CE’s entry into another pivotal South Asian market. More importantly, it reaffirms the core strengths of China’s arms trade: no political conditions attached, exceptional cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive, interoperable solutions.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881208325019780/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.