Bangladesh to buy China’s J-10CE jets, PM’s aide gives Op Sindoor, Rafale example

Dhaka (TIP): Bangladesh is moving closer to buying 20 Chinese J-10CE multirole fighter jets for $2.3 billion, in what could become one of Dhaka’s biggest defence purchases in years. An aide of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said that the claimed performance of the J-10 aircraft during May 2025 Operation Sindoor helped tilt the decision in the favour of the Chinese planes.
The government of Tarique Rahman is looking to modernise Bangladesh’s air force. The proposed package would put the effective cost at nearly $115 million per aircraft, far above the fighter’s base price of $62.7 million. The additional expenditure includes training, operational equipment, technical and logistical support, freight, insurance, VAT and construction work. The Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh has estimated the total cost at Taka (Tk) 28,314 crore, using an exchange rate of Tk123 to the dollar, Dhaka-based The Business Standard newspaper reported.
The development was confirmed by Bangladesh PM’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman, who said on August 25 that an inter-ministerial committee had prepared a draft agreement for negotiations on the purchase.
It was his reference to Operation Sindoor and the France-made Rafale’s that drew particular attention.
Zahed Ur Rahman said Bangladesh was seriously considering the J-10 because, “It is now established that an Indian Rafale fighter jet was shot down by a Chinese-made J-10 fighter aircraft during the India-Pakistan war.” He added that the “Rafale is regarded as a modern 4.5-generation fighter” and claimed the “J-10CE had performed very well against it”.
Pakistan had claimed that its Chinese-made J-10s shot down Indian aircraft, including Rafales, during the May 2025 conflict. India has rejected Pakistan’s account. Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier called the claim that three Indian Rafales had been shot down inaccurate. Indian officials have also disputed Pakistan’s version of events.
In August 2025, Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said Indian forces had downed at least five Pakistani fighter jets and one large military aircraft during Operation Sindoor.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) floated a tender in June this year seeking bridge support for all 36 Rafale fighter jets India bought from France. This too contradicts Pakistan’s claims.
WHY BANGLADESH WANTS THE
CHINESE J-10CE
The J-10CE is the export version of China’s J-10C, a single-engine, single-seat multirole fighter operated by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. Pakistan is currently the only confirmed foreign operator of the export variant, making Bangladesh’s proposed purchase potentially significant for China’s fighter-jet export ambitions.
For Dhaka, the purchase is part of a broader effort to upgrade its ageing air force and strengthen national air defence. Bangladesh currently operates a large number of Chinese-origin aircraft, including F-7 fighter jets, and China remains its biggest defence supplier.
The procurement process began under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus in 2025. The initial estimate was around $60 million per aircraft, with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Finance later giving in-principle approval to a $2.2-billion proposal for 20 jets. The latest proposal has raised the aircraft price to $62.7 million each, while the overall package has climbed to $2.302 billion.