The line explained | Why Bangladesh is bullish on China’s J-10 fighter jets, not Dassault Rafale | Today’s news

Bangladesh is moving forward with plans to purchase Chinese J-10CE fighter jets and attack helicopters as part of its efforts to modernize the Bangladesh Air Force. According to Prime Minister’s adviser Zahed Ur Rahman, a draft purchase agreement was prepared after the negotiations, Bangladesh newspaper The Daily Star reported.

The proposed acquisition has also brought China’s J-10CE into the limelight due to its use by Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor last year. Bangladesh pointed to the aircraft’s claimed performance against India’s French-made Dassault Rafale, as well as the lower reported cost of the J-10CE compared to Western alternatives.

But the claim that the J-10C shot down the Indian Rafale remains disputed. India did not say that a Rafale was shot down, while Pakistan claimed to have destroyed several Indian aircraft, including Rafales.

So why is Bangladesh considering the J-10CE rather than the Rafale?

Why Bangladesh is not buying Dassault Rafale

Dhaka is considering the J-10CE as part of a wider program to acquire fourth-generation multirole combat aircraft, fighter jets, attack helicopters, VIP helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicle systems.

According to The Daily Star, Zahed said the government had discussed the J-10CE fighter jets and attack helicopters and prepared a draft agreement. The purchase could continue if funds are appropriated in the current fiscal year; otherwise it could be pushed to the next budget.

Price is one of the factors that Bangladesh highlighted. Zahed said Chinese fighters are significantly cheaper than comparable European aircraft, including the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon.

The J-10CE is an export version of the Chinese J-10C. China operates the J-10C, while Pakistan has deployed the export J-10CE.

Bangladesh also already has experience in operating Chinese-made military equipment. Major General (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, told Bangladeshi publication Prothom Alo that acquiring the J-10C would be a continuation of Bangladesh’s use of Chinese military equipment and could improve its defense capabilities.

However, Muniruzzaman also warned that Dhaka will have to consider the geopolitical implications of buying Chinese fighter jets, especially in light of Bangladesh’s trade relations with the US.

Read also | Shares in Rafale brand owner Dassault Aviation fell 7% after the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

India’s stand: New Delhi never said the Rafale was shot down

The debate over the combat performance of the J-10CE largely stems from the India-Pakistan conflict last year.

Pakistan claimed to have shot down six Indian jets, including three Rafales, using Chinese J-10CE fighter jets. China has also attributed the losses of Indian aircraft to the J-10’s capabilities.

However, India never confirmed that the Rafale was shot down. New Delhi acknowledged the loss of several aircraft during the conflict, but did not specify the number or types. India also rejected Pakistan’s claim that six Indian aircraft were destroyed.

Reuters subsequently reported that the Indian losses were linked to a misjudgment of the range of the PL-15 air-to-air missiles fired by the J-10, rather than proving that the Chinese fighter was superior to the Rafale per se.

According to this report, India assumed the missile’s range to be around 150 km, while its actual range was around 200 km.

Read also | Dassault Aviation share price: Pundits bet high on shares of Rafale jet maker

J-10C vs Rafale: How do they compare?

China’s J-10C is a 4.5 generation single-engine, medium-weight, multi-role fighter. It uses a delta-wing and canard configuration and is designed for high maneuverability and a high angle of attack. Its latest variant includes an AESA radar, improved electronic warfare systems, data links and compatibility with the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile.

The J-10C can reach a speed of around Mach 2.1 at high altitude and has a combat radius of around 1,100 km, according to reports.

Built by France’s Dassault Aviation, the Rafale is a twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft designed for a wide range of missions, including deep strike, reconnaissance, anti-ship operations and nuclear deterrence.

The Rafale has a combat radius of around 1,850 km, which is significantly greater than the stated radius of the J-10C. Its twin-engine configuration also allows it to carry more weapons and fuel. The aircraft has 14 fixed points and can fly at speeds up to Mach 1.8.

Both aircraft are equipped with AESA radar systems, but their approaches differ. The Rafale uses the Thales RBE2 AESA radar along with its SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, while the J-10C uses an AESA radar integrated with its electronic warfare and data link systems.

The Rafale, meanwhile, has a heavier strike capability and a longer combat radius, making it better suited for long-duration and deep missions.

Why J-10CE appeals to Bangladesh

The J-10CE offers a combination of lower reported acquisition cost, advanced avionics, multi-role capabilities and compatibility with Bangladesh’s existing Chinese-sourced military equipment.

Prothom Alo said Bangladesh’s interest in the J-10CE dates back to negotiations with China, including a March 2025 meeting in Beijing where then-chief government adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed interest in acquiring the fighter.

According to Zahed, the latest negotiations have now progressed to a draft agreement regarding J-10CE aircraft and attack helicopters.