Bangladesh’s Pursuit of Sino-Pak JF-17 Jets Sparks India’s Fury as Regional Tensions Soar
According to media reports, the Indian government is keen to prevent Bangladesh from acquiring the JF-17s, citing concerns about the aircraft being produced by two nations—Pakistan and China—that New Delhi considers adversaries.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – As Bangladesh sets its sights on acquiring up to 32 JF-17 “Thunder” fighter jets—an advanced combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China—tensions in the region are surging with beighboring India has reacted with fierce opposition, vowing to thwart Dhaka’s procurement of the jets at all costs.
Reports indicate that New Delhi is determined to block Bangladesh’s acquisition, citing grave concerns over the aircraft’s origins, as they are manufactured by two of India’s key strategic rivals—Pakistan and China.
India’s unease is further fueled by the deepening defense ties between Dhaka, Islamabad, and Beijing, a development that New Delhi views as a direct challenge to its regional influence and security interests.
The JF-17 Thunder, co-developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) of China, is currently operational with the Pakistan Air Force, including its latest variant, the Block III.
The aircraft has also been exported to several countries.
Tensions between Bangladesh and India have plunged into a deep crisis following the dramatic ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year, a seismic political shift triggered by massive, student-led protests that shook the nation.
The once-steady alliance now stands on shaky ground, with diplomatic strains escalating in the wake of her abrupt departure.
The dramatic collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government sent shockwaves through Bangladesh, forcing the former prime minister to flee to India, where she now lives in exile under tight security.
Meanwhile, the new Bangladeshi administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has repeatedly turned up the heat on New Delhi, demanding the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, along with her former cabinet ministers and top officials, to stand trial on grave charges—including murder.
However, India’s outright refusal to comply has only deepened the diplomatic rift, pushing bilateral relations to the brink.
Adding fuel to the fire, tensions reached a boiling point last year when India allegedly threatened to shoot down Bangladeshi Bayraktar TB2 drones—procured from Türkiye—if they ventured too close to the Indian border.
These cutting-edge UAVs, primarily deployed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, are operated by Bangladesh’s elite 67th Army unit and stationed at Dhaka’s Tejgaon Air Base.
Bangladesh has bolstered its aerial capabilities with the acquisition of 12 Bayraktar TB2 drones, with six already in active service, further intensifying regional anxieties.
In a bold move that has sent ripples through the region, a high-ranking Bangladeshi military delegation, led by Lt. Gen. SM Qamarul Hassan, traveled to Pakistan in January, signaling Dhaka’s deepening interest in Islamabad’s cutting-edge defense technology—particularly the formidable JF-17 fighter jet.
During high-stakes discussions at Pakistan Air Headquarters in Islamabad, the delegation met with Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, where both sides explored expanding military ties, with a sharp focus on aviation cooperation.
The visit has ignited speculation that the Bangladesh Air Force is on the brink of selecting the JF-17 for its ambitious fleet modernization program.
With its aging fleet of F-7s and MiG-29s struggling to keep pace with modern aerial threats, the Bangladesh Air Force faces an urgent need for next-generation fighter jets.
The situation has been further exacerbated by Western sanctions on Russia, which have disrupted the supply chain for critical MiG-29 spare parts.
The JF-17 Block III, the latest and most lethal variant of the fighter, boasts cutting-edge fifth-generation technologies derived from China’s stealthy J-20 “Mighty Dragon”—a game-changer that could redefine Bangladesh’s air combat capabilities.
Armed with the cutting-edge KLJ-7A Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, developed by China Electronics Technology Group, the JF-17 Block III is a technological powerhouse.
Its radar capabilities reportedly rival those of the U.S. AN/APG-81 found in the F-35 and Russia’s Su-57 phased-array radar, placing it among the most advanced combat systems in its class.
When it comes to firepower, the Block III is a force to be reckoned with. It boasts next-generation air-to-air missile systems, including the PL-10 short-range missile—comparable to the U.S.-made AIM-9X—and the devastating PL-15 long-range missile, which packs a staggering operational range of 200-300 kilometers.
This cutting-edge arsenal grants the JF-17 a decisive edge over many Indian Air Force fighters, further shifting the regional balance of power.
Bangladesh’s potential acquisition of the JF-17 is more than just an upgrade—it is a bold statement of military ambition.
However, this pursuit of aerial superiority comes at a cost, as it threatens to further inflame tensions with India, which sees the move as a direct strategic provocation in the already volatile South Asian theater.
– DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA
