Bangladesh-China defence deal: Bangladesh has signed a new defence agreement with China to start making drones inside the country. The deal was signed on Tuesday between the Bangladesh Air Force and a Chinese government company called China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International, also known as CETC. The agreement will help Bangladesh build a factory where unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, will be produced and assembled.
The defence ministry said both sides will work together on this project. It clearly stated, “Under the agreement, BAF and CETC will jointly set up a facility to produce and assemble state-of-the-art UAVs,” it said. The deal also includes sharing of technology so that Bangladesh can slowly learn how to make these drones on its own in the future.
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What kind of Drones will be made?
At the start, the Bangladesh Air Force will focus on making and assembling different types of drones. These include Medium Altitude Low Endurance drones and Vertical Take-off and Landing drones. These drones do not need long runways and can be used in many situations. The drones will help during floods, cyclones, and other disasters. They will also be used for military work like surveillance and operations.
The signing ceremony took place at the Bangladesh Air Force headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment. Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan was present at the event. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen also attended. Senior officials like Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hassan from the Armed Forces Division and members from the Chief Adviser’s office were also there.
China’s role
CETC is a large Chinese company that makes radars, drones, and communication systems. It also builds IT networks and software for both civilian and military use. The company is known for working on defence technology and managing large investment projects.
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China has been Bangladesh’s main defence supplier for many years. This new drone deal is another step in that long relationship. Reports also say that Bangladesh is close to finalising a USD 2.2 billion deal to buy 20 Chengdu J-10C fighter jets from China. These new jets would replace old aircraft like the F-7 and MiG-29 and help modernise the Air Force.
