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Two days after Pakistan announced that it had secured an export deal for its latest JF-17 Thunder Block III combat aircraft with an unnamed “friendly nation” during the Dubai Airshow 2025, fresh reports suggest that Bangladesh may be the undisclosed buyer.
According to a detailed report by Defence Security Asia, the deal – if confirmed – would mark Bangladesh’s largest-ever fighter aircraft acquisition. The agreement is believed to cover 16 to 24 JF-17 Block III jets, valued at USD 400 million to USD 700 million, positioning the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) for a significant leap in modernisation.
If confirmed, Bangladesh will join Myanmar, Nigeria, and Azerbaijan, which have previously procured variants of the JF-17.
A deal shrouded in strategic secrecy
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) acknowledged the contract this week but declined to disclose the buyer, citing “strategic sensitivities.” The ambiguity has triggered intense speculation, particularly because Bangladesh traditionally confirms major defence purchases only at advanced stages, the report noted.
The deal may have been finalised in Dhaka itself, between officials from the Bangladesh Air Force and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), the report added. Under the proposed agreement, Pakistan would also provide pilot training, maintenance support, and spare parts for the fleet.
Also Read: Pakistan Seals Chinese JF-17 Fighter Jet Export Deal at Dubai Airshow 2025
Why Bangladesh is shifting its procurement strategy
The possible deal comes just weeks after Bangladesh approved the induction of Chinese-made SY-400 missile systems for its Army. However, Dhaka is believed to be actively diversifying its defence suppliers.
The recent shift is primarily driven by concerns about the potential sanctions risk to Russian military hardware, which raises alarms about the stability and reliability of such resources. Additionally, the prospect of supply chain disruptions poses a significant threat, as it can hinder production and delivery schedules. Compounding these issues are the dependencies on engines and components sourced from China, which further complicates the landscape for manufacturers reliant on these critical elements.
Bangladesh reportedly began a formal evaluation of the JF-17 in January 2025, including technical assessments, feasibility studies, and pilot familiarisation sessions.
The BAF currently operates a mix of legacy platforms, including F-7BG/MBs, MiG-29s and Yak-130 trainers, a lineup seen as insufficient for the country’s long-term strategic needs. The government’s modernisation roadmap aims to upgrade the armed forces by 2030, with next-generation fighters a key priority.
A dramatic shift in Dhaka–Islamabad relations
If the sale is confirmed, it will also signal a dramatic reset in Bangladesh–Pakistan relations, once among the most strained in South Asia.
Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in 1971 following a bloody conflict with Pakistan. Ties plunged further during Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, particularly after the initiation of war crimes trials in 2010 against collaborators of Pakistan’s 1971 military campaign.
However, the political landscape in Dhaka shifted in August 2024, when a massive student-led uprising forced Hasina to resign. Since then:
- Interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus has moved to improve ties with Islamabad, even sparking diplomatic chatter after gifting a symbolic “Greater Bangladesh” map to a visiting Pakistani general.
- Senior Bangladeshi diplomats have publicly stated that relations have “significantly improved” since last year.
- Dhaka and Islamabad have discussed establishing direct sea connectivity between Chittagong and Karachi to boost trade.
If confirmed, a watershed moment
If the deal is officially confirmed by both Pakistan and Bangladesh, it would mark Pakistan’s most significant JF-17 export to date and represent Bangladesh’s largest fighter jet acquisition in history. This development could signal a geopolitical shift in South Asia, as Dhaka is moving away from its traditional reliance on Russia and China. Although both capitals have remained silent for now, various defence and diplomatic indicators suggest that Bangladesh may be the unnamed “friendly nation” poised to induct the JF-17 Thunder Block III into its military arsenal.
Team BharatShakti
