Bangladesh has taken a significant step toward one of its most ambitious defence modernisation efforts in recent years, with the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) signing a letter of intent (LOI) with Italian aerospace giant Leonardo for the future acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighter aircraft. The LOI was formalised on December 9, 2025, at BAF headquarters in Dhaka, witnessed by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Italy’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro, and senior defence representatives from both nations.

The agreement marks a key milestone in Bangladesh’s Forces Goal 2030 programme — an ongoing, multi-branch modernisation roadmap aimed at overhauling the country’s military capabilities across air, land, and sea. For the BAF, the Typhoon procurement signals a move toward high-end Western airpower after years of relying primarily on Russian and Chinese platforms.

Leonardo, which holds a 21% stake in the Eurofighter consortium, is leading the Bangladeshi procurement effort. Should the deal proceed to a firm contract, the aircraft would almost certainly undergo final assembly at Leonardo’s facility in Turin, Italy. Earlier in 2025, BAF evaluation teams travelled to Turin to assess the Typhoon firsthand. Their test flights used the ISPA 6 instrumented production aircraft equipped with the Captor-E active electronically scanned array radar and the advanced P3Eb upgrade package, signalling that Bangladesh is seeking a cutting-edge variant of the fighter.

Although the exact number of aircraft will be finalised later, Bangladeshi officials have previously indicated interest in acquiring between 10 and 16 aircraft in this category. France had lobbied Dhaka to consider the Dassault Rafale, but the Typhoon has long been viewed as the preferred choice. The new fleet is intended to replace ageing Chengdu J-7s and legacy MiG-29s, both of which now struggle to meet modern operational demands.

The shift away from Russian platforms is partly driven by logistical difficulties and the tightening sanctions regime linked to the war in Ukraine, which has complicated access to parts and support. While Bangladesh maintains strong defence ties with China, the Typhoon deal signals Dhaka’s intention to diversify away from reliance on any single supplier. The BAF is still expected to acquire China’s Chengdu J-10C, and there are persistent rumours about a possible future order of Pakistani-Chinese JF-17 fighters. Even without a JF-17 purchase, a mixed fleet of Eurofighter Typhoons and J-10Cs would represent a dramatic leap in Bangladesh’s air combat capability.

If deliveries occur after Turkey receives its first batch of aircraft, Bangladesh is poised to become the 11th operator of the Typhoon globally — and the first outside Europe and the Middle East. Southeast Asia has historically leaned toward European designs like the Rafale, now on order by Indonesia and operated by India, or the Saab Gripen, in service with Thailand. Dhaka’s move toward the Typhoon therefore marks a rare expansion of the aircraft’s presence in the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Bangladesh’s aircraft are expected to be delivered in the Tranche 4 configuration. As Tranche 5 production will not begin until the early 2030s, the BAF’s Typhoons would feature many of the latest enhancements without waiting for the next-generation version. A full contract would also include Western weapons integration, as the Typhoon cannot operate Bangladesh’s existing stocks of Russian and Chinese missiles.

This acquisition would deepen Bangladesh’s already robust relationship with Leonardo, whose products feature prominently across the country’s military inventory. The armed forces operate AW109, AW119, and AW139 helicopters for training, utility, and search-and-rescue missions. Bangladesh has also fielded Leonardo’s Falco unmanned aerial vehicles, originally designed by Selex ES, which support UN peacekeeping deployments and can be armed with Turkish CIRIT laser-guided rockets for precision strike missions.

Leonardo has also supplied key sensor systems to Dhaka’s defence establishment. The Bangladesh Army uses the KRONOS LAND surveillance radar, whose underlying technology shares lineage with the CAPTOR-E radar now under consideration for the Typhoon. The Bangladesh Navy, meanwhile, employs Leonardo’s Seaspray 5000E maritime radar aboard its Dornier Do 228 patrol aircraft.

Looking ahead, Forces Goal 2030 identifies the need for a long-range maritime patrol aircraft — a requirement Leonardo could potentially meet with its ATR 72MP or a future long-range platform derived from Bombardier’s Global series. With Bangladesh responsible for monitoring an exclusive economic zone of more than 118,000 square kilometres in the Bay of Bengal, and with piracy in the region described by experts as a “ticking time bomb,” Dhaka’s interest in expanding its air-maritime surveillance capabilities is likely to grow.

The Eurofighter Typhoon deal would stand as one of the most consequential airpower acquisitions in Bangladesh’s history — signalling not only a dramatic technological upgrade but also a broader strategic realignment toward diversified, high-end Western defence partnerships.

• Dhaka’s pursuit of China’s J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” signals a turning point for its military aviation, reshaping South Asia’s air balance and deepening geopolitical fault lines.

Bangladesh is preparing for one of the most consequential military aviation shifts in its history as Dhaka signals clear intent to acquire China’s J-10C multirole fighter jet. If realized, the move would catapult the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) into a new tier of capability while injecting fresh volatility into South Asia’s already tense aerial balance.

Interim Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus reportedly raised the prospect of a purchase directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his March 2025 visit to Beijing. Multiple diplomatic sources later confirmed to Dhaka-based media that talks had already begun before Yunus’s trip, highlighting the seriousness of the plan.

“At a meeting in Beijing, the chief adviser raised the government’s plan for the modernisation of the Bangladesh Air Force. He expressed interest in purchasing 12 J-10C fighter jets from China, to which the Chinese president responded positively,” said senior representatives close to policymaking circles.

Since then, negotiations have moved into more formal channels. Beijing is said to be receptive, while Dhaka views the J-10C as the natural centrepiece of its next-generation fighter fleet.

The BAF’s modernization roadmap, known as Forces Goal 2030, has long prioritized replacing its aging F-7 interceptors and a small contingent of MiG-29 Fulcrums. These aircraft, though maintained with care, are increasingly outclassed by India’s expanding fleet of Rafales, Su-30MKIs, and the indigenous Tejas Mk1A.

The J-10C represents a generational leap. Often described as China’s most mature 4.5-generation platform, the single-engine fighter combines advanced aerodynamics with indigenous sensors and weapons, bridging the gap between affordability and sophistication.

• Delta-canard design for high manoeuvrability.

• Diverterless supersonic intakes and reduced radar signature.

• Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, electro-optical sensors, and datalinks for networked combat.

• WS-10B/C engines producing thrust in the 135–144 kN class, ending reliance on Russian powerplants.

• 11 hardpoints supporting up to 5.6 tonnes of ordnance.

The package places Bangladesh on the cusp of true network-centric warfare, an area in which it has lagged behind regional peers.

Perhaps most crucially, the J-10C integrates China’s next-generation air-to-air missiles.

• PL-10 short-range dogfight missile gives pilots high off-boresight targeting comparable to Western IRIS-T and AIM-9X systems.

• PL-15 and PL-15E long-range missiles extend engagement ranges to the 200 km class, placing Bangladesh in the same beyond-visual-range (BVR) league as India’s Rafales armed with Meteor missiles.

“The J-10C in Bangladeshi service would effectively neutralise the asymmetric edge India gained with its Rafale fleet, especially if paired with airborne early warning systems,” noted one regional defence analyst.

The ability to contest BVR battles is transformative. It grants Dhaka a deterrent capacity that stretches well beyond its borders and complicates India’s long-standing air superiority in the eastern sector.

The J-10C is not just a fighter for dogfights. Its mission profile extends to precision strikes and maritime operations:

• KD-88 standoff land-attack missiles enable deep-strike options.

• Anti-ship capabilities bolster Dhaka’s security across the Bay of Bengal.

• Electronic warfare pods improve survivability in contested environments.

For a country with rising offshore energy interests and an expanding maritime zone, these capabilities have strategic value. They support not only air defence but also a broader “air-sea denial” posture, deterring adversary operations in Bangladeshi waters.

Bangladesh’s path would closely mirror Pakistan’s, which inducted the J-10CE in 2022. Islamabad touted the aircraft as a counter to India’s Rafales and rapidly integrated them into a modern doctrine:

• AEW&C pairing: Saab 2000 Erieye and ZDK-03 aircraft provide long-range targeting data.

• Networked kill chain: Pakistani J-10CEs can act as shooters based on off-board cues, maximizing PL-15E effectiveness.

• Operational validation: Exercises in 2023–24 showcased coordinated BVR engagements.

The J-10CE’s baptism in combat during the 2025 Pakistan-India clashes further boosted its reputation, showing Chinese fighters could hold their own in high-intensity scenarios.

For Dhaka, adopting a similar path could mean interoperability with Pakistan and, by extension, a deeper alignment with China’s regional strategy.

The BAF currently fields around 81 combat aircraft.

The transport arm has recently modernized with five C-130J Super Hercules from the UK, while helicopters range from Mi-17s to AW139s. Air defence relies on FM-90 surface-to-air missiles and a network of radars.

Yet the fleet’s backbone is dated. Without a modern fighter, Dhaka risks sliding further behind its neighbours. The J-10C would mark a shift from survival to deterrence, offering the BAF a credible presence in contested skies.

Bangladesh has been preparing the ground for such a leap. Strategic bases at Bangabandhu, Cox’s Bazar, and Sylhet now anchor air defence and maritime coverage. These facilities support both fighter operations and humanitarian missions, reflecting Bangladesh’s dual role as a security force and a global peacekeeping contributor.

The J-10C would fit neatly into this framework, enhancing both deterrence and rapid response across the Bay of Bengal.

Dhaka’s pursuit of the J-10C extends far beyond the technical. It is about signalling where Bangladesh positions itself amid great-power competition.

• For China: A sale validates Beijing’s defence exports and strengthens its South Asia footprint.

• For India: The move is seen as a direct challenge, undermining its air dominance and raising the spectre of a “Chinese axis” in the Bay of Bengal.

• For the US: It complicates Washington’s attempts to bring Bangladesh into Indo-Pacific security frameworks.

“Bangladesh’s acquisition of J-10Cs would not just be a military upgrade. It would be a geopolitical alignment—cementing Dhaka inside Beijing’s defence-industrial ecosystem,” one South Asia analyst observed.

India’s likely response will be twofold: accelerate Rafale deliveries and deepen partnerships with Western manufacturers. New Delhi could also intensify outreach to Dhaka, framing Chinese fighters as a dependency trap.

The United States may counterbalance with expanded maritime cooperation and disaster-response initiatives—areas where Dhaka values Western expertise.

Yet neither India nor Washington can ignore the symbolic power of Dhaka visibly tilting toward Beijing in such a high-profile procurement.

The Bay of Bengal is emerging as a crucial theatre in Indo-Pacific competition. China has invested in ports, infrastructure, and naval access points under the Belt and Road Initiative. India sees the waters as its natural backyard. The US frames the area as vital to global sea lane security.

By operating J-10Cs, Bangladesh enhances its ability to defend offshore resources, secure sea lanes, and integrate into Chinese-backed security networks. This creates a layered deterrent posture extending well beyond the nation’s borders.

Talks are still underway, and obstacles remain. Financing, training, and logistical support must all be resolved. Integrating such an advanced platform into a modestly resourced air force will demand both political will and sustained investment.

But the momentum is unmistakable. The J-10C is no longer just an option—it is the centerpiece of Dhaka’s emerging vision of airpower.

Bangladesh’s potential purchase of the J-10C is about far more than hardware. It represents a conscious decision to redefine deterrence, expand strategic reach, and align more closely with Beijing in a contested Indo-Pacific.

“The Security Cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include the following: Returning the residents of the north securely to their homes,” a statement from the prime minister’s office said.

“Israel will continue to act to implement this objective,” it added.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the only way to return Israel’s northern residents to their homes was through “military action”, during a meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein.

“The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to ‘tie itself’ to Hamas, and refuses to end the conflict,” a statement from his office said.

“Therefore, the only way left to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes, will be via military action.”

Gallant’s comments came as speculation grew that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to replace him amid differences between the two men over the war in Gaza.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin warned of the devastating consequences of further escalation.

In a statement from the US defence department, his office said he “reaffirmed the necessity of a ceasefire and hostage deal, and that Israel should give diplomatic negotiations time to succeed, noting the devastating consequences that escalation would have on the people of Israel, Lebanon, and the broader region.”

Israel has repeatedly warned it could launch a military operation to drive Hezbollah away from the border.

Hezbollah is a Shia Muslim organisation which is politically influential and in control of the most powerful armed force in Lebanon.

The group has so far made no public comments on the issue.

The latest Israeli move marks an expansion of the country’s previously stated war goals:

Israeli forces launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the group’s unprecedented attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken back to Gaza as hostages.

More than 41,220 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.