Bangladesh expresses ‘potential interest’ in procuring JF-17 fighter jets, says Pakistan

Bangla­desh has expressed a “potential int­e­rest” in pro­cu­ring JF-17 Thun­der fighter aircraft from Pakistan, the military said on Wednesday (January 7, 2026).

The JF-17 Thunder is a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan.

Pakistan claims that the fighter jet has 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 Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu in Isla­mabad on Tuesday (January 7).

“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.

The fighter jet has proven its combat capabilities during the recent conflict with India, the statement claimed.

Mr. Khan was leading a high-level defence delegation. During the meeting, Mr. 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.

Mr. Sidhu also assured fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem, the statement said.

The move follows warming relations between Islamabad and Dhaka after changes in Bangladesh’s political leadership in August 2024.

According to the ISPR, the Bangladeshi Air Chief praised the PAF’s combat record and expressed interest in benefiting from its operational expertise, seeking assistance in maintenance support for Ban­gladesh Air Force’s aging fleet and integration of air defence radar systems to enhance air surveillance.

“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 gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. Dhaka and Islamabad have sought to build closer ties since the installation of the Muhammad Yunus-led government in 2024, following the ouster of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League.

Relations between the two countries had been particularly strained after the then Hasina government in 2010 initiated trials of collaborators accused of aiding Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War.