Canberra, May 30: Bangladesh’s foreign policy has long adhered to the principle of “friendship with all, enmity with none.” However, the recent commitment of up to $720 million for a China-Pakistan aviation system severely tests this principle amid economic vulnerabilities and geopolitical shifts.
Reports indicate that this issue raises serious questions about the quality of policy discussions and decision-making processes within the country. It argues that such a significant decision, which could have long-term effects on Bangladesh’s strategic position, financial capacity, and geopolitical relations, requires extensive parliamentary review, independent economic assessments, and open public debate.
According to a report by the Australian Institute of International Affairs, in May 2026, a Pakistan Air Force C-130J aircraft quietly arrived in Dhaka, delivering a full-scale JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter simulator. This marks the first Pakistani military aviation equipment to reach Bangladesh since 1971.
The report states that this simulator, handed over during the first formal air staff talks between the two countries, is seen as a significant step toward potential defense cooperation. It is being prepared as a training tool ahead of a possible purchase of 16 to 48 JF-17 Block III multirole fighter jets, with the estimated deal cost ranging from $400 million to $720 million.
Policy makers and defense commentators have primarily focused on operational aspects, noting that “the Bangladesh Air Force’s fleet is aging; its F-7BG and MiG-29 are nearing the end of their service life, and reliable air power is essential for the ‘Forces Goal 2030’ modernization plan.”
The ‘Forces Goal 2030’ modernization plan is a comprehensive military modernization and restructuring program initiated in 2009. Its main goal is to enhance the combat capabilities of Bangladesh’s army, navy, and air force, transforming them into a modern and tri-dimensional defense force.
The report emphasizes the limited scope of operational logic, arguing that this move overlooks the political alignments associated with such purchases, the long-term financial burdens, and the strategic implications of linking Bangladesh’s defense future to the China-Pakistan supply chain during a time of significant economic weaknesses.
It states, “A fighter jet is never just a weapons platform. It is a political tool, an economic commitment, and a statement of alignment that lasts longer than governments in defense-dependent projects. Bangladesh is not merely purchasing an aircraft; it may be entering a strategic orbit from which exit could be difficult, costly, and diplomatically significant.”
Highlighting the broader implications, the report notes, “The JF-17 is a China-Pakistan product designed to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on Western suppliers. It was jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. Therefore, Bangladesh’s acquisition is not merely a bilateral transaction between Dhaka and Islamabad; structurally, it is a trilateral transaction with Beijing as the silent principal.”
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