Lahore: India is keeping close watch on proceedings after reports that Bangladesh has expressed a “potential interest” in procuring JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan.
The JF-17 Thunder is a fourth generation multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. The aircraft is the mainstay of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which claims that it proved its combat capabilities during the four-day military conflict with India in May 2025.
The development came during a meeting between Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu in Islamabad on Tuesday, as reported by Deccan Herald.
“The meeting focused on strengthening operational cooperation and institutional synergy, with emphasis on training, capacity building, and collaboration in aerospace advancements,” Pakistan military’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
“Detailed discussions were also held on the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft,” it said.
Khan was leading a high-level defence delegation. During the meeting, Sidhu briefed his Bangladeshi counterpart on PAF’s recent advancements and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Bangladesh Air Force through a comprehensive training framework from basic to advanced flying and specialised courses across PAF institutions, it said.
The Bangladeshi delegation also visited key PAF facilities, it has been reported.
The PAF chief is also known to have assured Bangladesh the fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem, the statement said.
This development follows a thaw in ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan after ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024.
The Bangladesh air chief praised the PAF’s combat record and expressed interest in benefiting from its operational expertise, seeking assistance in maintenance support for BAF’s ageing fleet and integration of air defence radar systems to enhance air surveillance, ISPR has said.
“The visit underscored the strong historical ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh and reflected a shared resolve to deepen defence cooperation and build a long-term strategic partnership,” it said.
Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan in 1971 after the latter committed a genocide, targeting the Bengali-speaking population of what was then East Pakistan. It was only after the interim government under Muhammad Yunus took charge of Bangladesh that Dhaka and Islamabad sought to build closer ties.
