Pakistan and Bangladesh Defence Ties Grow Warmer
Pakistan and Bangladesh have held high-level talks on a possible defence agreement that could see Dhaka purchase JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Islamabad, signalling a growing military partnership between the two South Asian nations.
According to Pakistan’s military, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu met his Bangladeshi counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, in Islamabad to discuss the procurement of the JF-17 Thunder. The aircraft is a multi-role combat jet jointly developed by Pakistan and China and is a key part of Islamabad’s defence export strategy.
Pakistani military says they discussed ‘procurement of JF17’ with visiting Bangladesh Air chief pic.twitter.com/6gWaAf6fbZ
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 6, 2026
Pakistan also assured Bangladesh of fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with full training support and long-term maintenance services. The military said the discussions reflected a shared desire to strengthen defence cooperation and build a long-term strategic partnership.
The talks come at a time when Pakistan is seeking to expand its arms exports, following what it describes as the successful performance of its air force during last year’s conflict with India, the most serious fighting between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in nearly three decades.
Defence Ties Grow Warmer
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have improved significantly in recent months. Ties between Dhaka and New Delhi weakened after mass protests in August 2024 forced then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina into exile in India. Since then, Pakistan and Bangladesh have resumed direct trade for the first time since the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh’s independence.
NEW: Pakistan and Bangladesh are discussing a defense pact that could include the sale of Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Dhaka.
Source: Reuters pic.twitter.com/GhiPgIlqqC
— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 7, 2026
Furthermore, military contacts between the two countries have also increased, with several official meetings taking place. Bangladesh is currently governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, with general elections scheduled for February 12. The polls could see a greater political role for an Islamist party that was previously banned and has historical links to Pakistan.
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The JF-17 has become the backbone of Pakistan’s fighter fleet and is already part of defence deals with countries such as Azerbaijan and Libya. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently said that the growing success of the country’s weapons industry could help boost the national economy.
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