Bangladesh to buy Chinese jets used by Pakistan during Op Sindoor: Should India worry?

Bangladesh plans to acquire Chinese-made J-10CE fighter aircraft as part of its bid to modernise the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF).

The proposed purchase is being discussed as Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman undertakes an official visit to China from June 24 to June 26, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping.

Among the major issues on the bilateral agenda is a possible agreement for Bangladesh to procure 24 Chengdu J-10CE multirole fighter jets, according to multiple reports and sources familiar with the discussions.

Should the deal proceed, Bangladesh would become only the second foreign operator of the aircraft after Pakistan.

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The development is turning heads in India because the same platform figured prominently in Pakistan's aerial operations during Operation Sindoor, the military confrontation that followed the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir in northern India.

What the deal looks like

Bangladesh's interest in the J-10CE is rooted in its Forces Goal 2030 programme, a long-running initiative designed to upgrade the country's military capabilities across all services.

The Bangladesh Air Force currently relies on a relatively modest combat fleet. Its inventory includes approximately 36 F-7/J-7 fighters of Chinese origin and eight Russian-made MiG-29 aircraft. Many of these platforms are ageing and increasingly limited in their ability to meet modern operational requirements.

Against this backdrop, Dhaka has spent years examining options for a next-generation fighter capable of providing improved air-defence, strike and surveillance capabilities.

The J-10CE has emerged as a leading contender because it combines modern technology with a price tag that remains lower than many Western alternatives.

Reports indicate that each aircraft could cost roughly $40 million, making it substantially cheaper than advanced Western fighters such as the Rafale or the F-16, whose overall procurement costs can exceed $100 million depending on weapons packages, support arrangements and configuration choices.

The broader package under discussion reportedly extends well beyond the aircraft themselves. Estimates suggest that once weapons, pilot training, maintenance infrastructure, spare parts, logistics support and associated equipment are included, the total value of the programme could reach approximately $2.2 billion.

Negotiations are believed to be ongoing, with reports suggesting both sides are aiming to conclude a final agreement by August later this year.

Understanding the J-10CE fighter

The J-10CE is the export version of the Chengdu J-10C, one of the principal combat aircraft currently operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

China first introduced the J-10C into frontline service in 2018, and the aircraft has since become an important component of the country's tactical aviation fleet.

Designed as a 4.5-generation multirole fighter, the aircraft incorporates several technologies associated with modern air combat.

Its design features a delta wing combined with canard foreplanes, a configuration intended to improve manoeuvrability. The aircraft employs digital fly-by-wire flight controls and is powered by the Chinese-developed WS-10B afterburning turbofan engine. Reports indicate that it can achieve speeds approaching Mach 2.

One of the fighter's most significant features is its Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Compared with older mechanically scanned radar systems, AESA technology allows pilots to track multiple targets simultaneously while offering improved resistance against electronic interference and jamming.

The aircraft is also capable of carrying a substantial weapons load. It possesses 11 hardpoints and can reportedly transport up to 5,600 kilogrammes of ordnance.

Particular attention has been focused on its compatibility with the PL-15 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, which is considered one of China's most capable long-range aerial weapons. The missile is designed to engage enemy aircraft at considerable distances, potentially allowing pilots to launch attacks before opposing fighters come within effective firing range.

Why the deal is being watched by India

The fighter was among the platforms fielded by the Pakistan Air Force during India's Operation Sindoor in May 2025. During and after the conflict, Pakistani commentators and officials promoted claims regarding the performance of J-10CE aircraft against Indian fighters.

Much of that narrative centred on assertions that Pakistani aircraft had successfully shot down Indian combat jets, including Rafales.

However, those claims were definitively debunked this year after the Indian Air Force issued a Request for Proposal seeking a five-month logistics and maintenance support package for its Rafale fleet.

The tender documentation explicitly accounted for all 36 Rafale aircraft acquired by India under the 2016 intergovernmental agreement with France.

The document reinforced New Delhi's position that the entire Rafale fleet remained available for operations, contradicting claims that any of the aircraft had been lost during Operation Sindoor.

Nevertheless, the significance of Bangladesh potentially operating the same aircraft type as Pakistan extends beyond the outcome of any single military engagement. For New Delhi, the issue involves the broader implications of having identical Chinese-origin combat systems operating on both the country's eastern and western flanks.

How Bangladesh-China defence ties continue to deepen

The fighter negotiations are taking place at a time when relations between Beijing and Dhaka are expanding across multiple sectors. Rahman's visit is expected to produce agreements in areas including trade, investment, infrastructure and defence cooperation.

Reports indicate that more than 15 memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed during the visit.

The two countries are also expected to elevate their relationship beyond its existing framework, with discussions centred on moving from a "strategic partnership" to what has been described as a "community with a shared future."

Defence analysts note that the proposed fighter purchase fits into a broader pattern that has been visible for years.

China already serves as Bangladesh's principal source of military hardware. The Bangladeshi armed forces operate a wide range of Chinese-made equipment, including naval platforms, armoured vehicles and other defence systems.

The addition of the J-10CE would further increase the proportion of Chinese-origin equipment within Bangladesh's military inventory. While this would provide Dhaka with access to modern capabilities, it would also deepen its dependence on Chinese supply chains and support networks.

Modern fighter aircraft require continuous access to replacement components, software upgrades, maintenance services, weapons integration and technical assistance throughout their operational life cycle.

Many analysts argue that the larger significance of the proposed acquisition lies not in the aircraft itself but in the support ecosystem that accompanies it. Unlike a one-time equipment purchase, fighter aircraft require sustained logistical and technical support throughout their service life.

Spare parts, maintenance expertise, upgrades and weapons integration remain closely tied to the manufacturer. For Bangladesh, adopting the J-10CE would mean relying on Chinese industry and government support to maintain operational readiness.

This dependence comes at a time when China already occupies a dominant position within Bangladesh's defence procurement landscape.

Why Lalmonirhat is attracting attention

Another aspect of the story receiving attention in India concerns where the aircraft might eventually be stationed. One location frequently mentioned in discussions is BAF Station Lalmonirhat in northern Bangladesh.

The airfield has historical significance dating back to the Second World War, when it served as an Allied facility. Bangladesh has announced plans to revive the base, and reports have suggested the possibility of Chinese involvement in redevelopment efforts.

The facility's location makes it particularly noteworthy from a strategic standpoint.

Lalmonirhat lies approximately 12 to 15 kilometres from the Indian border and relatively close to the Siliguri Corridor, the narrow stretch of territory connecting India's northeastern states with the rest of the country.

Reports indicate that infrastructure upgrades at the airbase include the construction of new fighter aircraft hangars. The proximity of the installation to a strategically sensitive area has naturally attracted attention from Indian policymakers and security officials.

The issue was raised in Parliament in 2025, prompting a response from the Ministry of External Affairs.

On August 8, 2025, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Lok Sabha, "The Government of India has noted reports concerning the Lalmonirhat airbase in Bangladesh. It has also noted a press briefing on 26 May 2025 by the Director of Military Operations of the Bangladesh Army, in which it was stated that there are no plans at present for the Lalmonirhat airfield to be used for military purposes. The Government of India continues to monitor all developments having a bearing on national security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it."

What changes and what does not for India

Despite the attention surrounding the proposed acquisition, Bangladesh's purchase of 24 J-10CE fighters would not fundamentally alter the military balance between the two countries.

India continues to maintain a significantly larger and more capable air-power structure in the eastern sector.

The Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command, headquartered in Shillong, oversees fighter assets stationed across Assam and West Bengal. These include advanced Su-30MKI and Rafale aircraft, supported by integrated command systems, surveillance networks and layered air-defence capabilities.

As a result, India retains substantial advantages in terms of scale, operational experience and overall force integration. However, strategic assessments are not based solely on aircraft numbers.

Analysts point to the possibility that Pakistan and Bangladesh could eventually operate similar platforms, radar systems, weapons and support infrastructure.

Pakistan already operates J-10CE fighters and has incorporated the aircraft into its force structure. Reports differ on fleet size, with figures ranging from 20 aircraft currently in service to larger inventories and additional orders.

If Bangladesh joins the list of operators, China would have established another regional user of the same platform. This commonality could create opportunities for standardised training, maintenance support and logistical arrangements.

The development also carries implications for the Bay of Bengal. Historically, the Bangladesh Air Force was not viewed as a major factor in shaping regional air-power calculations because of the limitations of its older fighter inventory.

The J-10CE offers significantly greater range, sensor capabilities and weapons integration than the aircraft it would replace. Its reported combat radius and compatibility with modern precision-guided weapons would provide Bangladesh with expanded operational reach over maritime areas of growing strategic importance.

Indonesia has also announced plans to acquire at least 42 J-10 fighters, a move that analysts say reflects changing defence procurement priorities in Southeast Asia.

The decision is notable because Indonesia has historically sourced military equipment from a mixture of suppliers, including Russia and the United States.

With inputs from agencies