Bangladesh has prepared a draft agreement for negotiations over the purchase of Chinese J-10CE fighter jets as part of a broader modernisation of its air force, Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed ur Rahman said on Tuesday.

Procurement processes are underway for fourth-generation multirole combat aircraft, fighter aircraft, attack helicopters, VIP helicopters and UAV systems, Rahman told a press briefing at the Secretariat. A draft agreement for negotiations on the MRCA, J-10CE and attack helicopter purchases has been prepared through the relevant committee, he said.

The programmes would be implemented in the ongoing 2026–27 fiscal year if the necessary budget is secured, the adviser said, adding that an initiative would otherwise be taken to implement them in the next budget.

Rahman pointed to the J-10’s performance in the recent India-Pakistan conflict, claiming the Chinese-built multirole fighter played a role in downing an Indian Rafale during the conflict. The Rafale is considered one of the modern 4.5-generation fighters, while the J-10 had performed well in real combat conditions, he said.

Chinese fighters with comparable capabilities were relatively cheaper than European fighters such as the Rafale or Eurofighter Typhoon, Rahman said, and Bangladesh was weighing both cost and effectiveness in strengthening its defence capabilities.

The adviser said Bangladesh was now able to take strategic decisions on foreign and military policy in line with its national interest, which had made discussions about buying the J-10 possible.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman and State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury were also present at the briefing.