China expands military ties with Bangladesh: Signs pact with Bangladesh Air Force for UAV plant
Under the agreement, BAF and CETC International will jointly set up the state-of-the-art plant, said Dhaka-based people familiar with the matter.
The signing ceremony was held at the BAF headquarters, with Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attending as the chief guest, according to a statement posted on BAF’s verified Facebook page.
“This will include technology transfer, capacity building, industrial skill development, and joint technical cooperation, which will help achieve long-term self-reliance in UAV production,” the statement said.
Initially, BAF will acquire the capability to produce and assemble medium altitude long endurance UAVs with vertical take-off and landing capabilities.
The statement added that BAF would also produce its own UAVs, which will play a significant role not only in military operations but also in humanitarian assistance and disaster management.
The agreement is expected to expand capacity to achieve full self-reliance in domestic UAV production in Bangladesh.“At the same time, it will make a significant contribution to national technological advancement by developing a skilled aerospace workforce through specialised training, knowledge exchange, and capacity building,” BAF said.
China is the largest supplier of arms to Bangladesh, providing tanks, frigates, missiles, and Type 035G Ming-class submarines.
China built the BNS Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s first submarine base, commissioned between 2018 and 2023. Since the 2002 defence pact, bilateral cooperation has expanded to include training, joint production, and maintenance of platforms, along with increased training of Bangladeshi officers by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
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