The air force chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh held talks on a potential pact covering the sale of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Dhaka, as Islamabad widens its arms supply ambitions and beefs up ties with Bangladesh.
The talks in Islamabad come as Pakistan looks to capitalise on the success of its air force in the conflict with arch-foe India in May last year, the worst fighting in nearly three decades between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and his Bangladesh counterpart Hasan Mahmood Khan had detailed talks on the procurement of the JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed with China.
The talks signal improving ties as the South Asian nations have grown closer since massive protests in August 2024 drove then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India, shattering Dhaka’s relationship with New Delhi.
“The visit underscored the strong historical ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh and reflected a shared resolve to deepen defence cooperation and build a long-term strategic partnership,” the military said.
In the wake of Hasina’s ouster, Islamabad and Dhaka have resumed direct trade for the first time since the 1971 war that brought independence for Bangladesh.
Under an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh is set for general elections on Feb 12 that could lead to a significant government role for a once-banned Bangladeshi Islamist party with links to Pakistan.
The JF-17s have become the cornerstone of the Pakistani military’s weapons development programme, figuring in a deal with Azerbaijan and a US$4bil (RM16.2bil) weapons pact with the Libyan National Army.
“Our aircrafts have been tested, and we are receiving so many orders that Pakistan may not need the International Monetary Fund in six months,” said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. — Reuters
