Bangladesh moves closer to China deal for J-10CE fighter jets, attack helicopters

Bangladesh is moving closer to formal negotiations with China over a possible purchase of J-10CE fighter jets and attack helicopters, with a government panel preparing a draft agreement, the Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday. The planned purchase would be one of Bangladesh’s biggest defence procurements in years and would deepen military ties with Beijing, already Dhaka’s largest arms supplier. Bangladesh is seeking to modernise its air force and is considering the purchase of up to 24 J-10CE aircraft, local media has reported. At present, Pakistan is the only confirmed foreign operator of the…