Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Bangladesh Favors China’s J-10CE Over Rafale for Modernization
Bangladesh is thinking about buying Chinese J-10CE fighter planes.
It says the planes may cost less than French Rafales and other European fighters.
Bangladesh is also interested in attack helicopters, VIP helicopters, and drones.
The decision was partly influenced by claims about how the J-10 performed during fighting between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan said its J-10CEs shot down several Indian planes, including Rafales.
India confirmed losing planes but did not say exactly how many or what kinds.
Reports gave different explanations for the losses, including the range of missiles used by the J-10s.
Bangladesh could complete the purchase this year if it receives enough money, or wait until next year.
Bangladesh has negotiated with China to acquire J-10CE fighters and attack helicopters, with a draft agreement reportedly prepared.
The purchase could proceed in the current fiscal year if funding is approved or be delayed until the next budget.
Bangladesh cited the J-10’s reported performance against Indian Rafales during Operation Sindoor and its lower cost than European alternatives.
Pakistan claimed J-10CEs downed six Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, while India confirmed aircraft losses without identifying their number or types.
Bangladesh also plans to acquire VIP helicopters and drones, while analysts cited existing Chinese equipment and possible geopolitical implications.
- Who
- Bangladesh, China, Zahed Ur Rahman, and Bangladesh-based defense analysts are involved in the proposed acquisition; India and Pakistan are relevant to the aircraft-performance claims.
- What
- Bangladesh is considering or moving toward purchasing Chinese J-10CE fighter jets, attack helicopters, VIP helicopters, and drones.
- When
- Negotiations have already taken place; the purchase could occur in the current fiscal year or be deferred to the next budget. Operation Sindoor was described in the reports as occurring last year.
- Where
- The proposed procurement involves Bangladesh and China, while the aircraft-performance claims concern fighting between India and Pakistan.
- Why
- Bangladesh cited the J-10CE’s reported performance, lower cost than aircraft such as the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon, modern capabilities, and compatibility with Chinese-origin equipment already in its military.
Arguments Supporting the J-10CE
Reservations and Alternative Explanations
Reported combat performance
Arguments Supporting the J-10CE
Bangladesh’s adviser said a Chinese J-10 had downed an Indian Rafale, and Pakistan claimed that J-10CEs destroyed six Indian aircraft, including three Rafales. China attributed the losses to the J-10’s quality.
Reservations and Alternative Explanations
India did not confirm that a Rafale was shot down and confirmed only that it lost multiple aircraft without identifying their types. Reuters reported that missile-range miscalculation, rather than the fighter’s superiority alone, may have contributed to the losses.
Cost and capability
Arguments Supporting the J-10CE
Bangladesh said Chinese fighters are significantly cheaper than comparable European aircraft such as the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon while offering modern avionics and multirole capability.
Reservations and Alternative Explanations
The Rafale was described as having a longer combat radius, a larger weapons and fuel load, and stronger suitability for prolonged or deep-strike missions than the J-10C.
Strategic fit
Arguments Supporting the J-10CE
Bangladesh already operates Chinese-made military equipment, so acquiring the J-10CE could continue that pattern and strengthen its defense capabilities.
Reservations and Alternative Explanations
Analyst ANM Muniruzzaman cautioned that Bangladesh would need to consider the geopolitical consequences of buying Chinese fighters, particularly because of its trade relationship with the United States.
- Aircraft under consideration
- China’s J-10CE, the export version of the J-10C
- Negotiation status
- Bangladesh has negotiated with China and reportedly prepared a draft purchase agreement
- Funding and timing
- The deal may proceed in the current fiscal year if adequate funds are allocated; otherwise it could be delayed until the next budget
- Additional equipment
- Bangladesh also plans to acquire attack helicopters, VIP transport helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicle systems
- Performance claim
- Pakistan claimed that J-10CE fighters downed six Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, during Operation Sindoor
- India’s position
- India acknowledged losing multiple aircraft but did not specify the number or types and rejected Pakistan’s claim that six aircraft were destroyed
- Competing missile explanation
- Reuters reported that the losses may have involved a miscalculation of the PL-15 missile’s range, described as about 200 kilometers rather than the approximately 150 kilometers India had assumed
