[🇧🇩-Airforce] Bangladesh Air Force's Cooperation With Other Nations

[Bilal9]

 

[Saif]

I am waiting for the deal. PAF has gifted a combat simulator of JF-17 to train BAF pilots. Things are moving toward a deeper cooperation between BAF and PAF.

 

[Bilal9]

I am waiting for the deal. PAF has gifted a combat simulator of JF-17 to train BAF pilots. Things are moving toward a deeper cooperation between BAF and PAF.

Insha-Allah bhai. Hopefully the cogs and wheels of the acquisition process are moving, as they should.

 

[Saif]

Insha-Allah bhai. Hopefully the cogs and wheels of the acquisition process are moving, as they should.

I think BAF is going to replace their F-7MB, F-7 BG and F-7 BGI with JF-17 Thunder. JF-17 is a cheap 4.5 generation aircraft which air force's with limited budget can afford easily. Each JF-17 costs $30-$35 million.

 

[Bilal9]

There is growing concern in India about closer defense ties between Turkey and Bangladesh (in all three armed forces divisions).

What is happening is:

• Turkey has been aggressively expanding its global defense exports, especially drones, missiles, naval systems, and electronic warfare equipment.
• Bangladesh has been diversifying military suppliers beyond traditional partners like China and Russia.
• Turkish firms — especially drone and armored vehicle manufacturers — have become more active in South Asia.

From India’s strategic perspective, several developments are viewed cautiously:

1. Military cooperation with Bangladesh
   Reports over the past few years have indicated Turkish interest in supplying UAVs, naval systems, and training support to Bangladesh. India watches this carefully because Bangladesh borders India’s sensitive northeast corridor.
2. Turkey–Pakistan alignment
   India already sees Turkey as politically aligned with Pakistan on issues such as Kashmir and broader Islamic diplomacy. So any Turkish military footprint in neighboring countries naturally raises Indian suspicion.
3. Regional influence competition
   Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has tried to project influence across the Muslim world and emerging markets, including South Asia. Defense exports are part of that strategy.

However, there are also important caveats:

• Bangladesh generally maintains a balancing foreign policy and still values stable relations with India.
• There is no public evidence in 2026 that Turkey and Bangladesh are forming an anti-India military alliance.
• Most Turkish arms exports globally are commercially motivated, not necessarily part of a coordinated anti-India bloc.

So the more accurate framing would be:

India likely views expanded Turkey–Bangladesh defense cooperation as strategically uncomfortable and potentially unfriendly, especially given Turkey’s closeness to Pakistan. But whether it constitutes deliberate “antagonizing” depends on intent, which has not been conclusively demonstrated publicly.

The concern in New Delhi is less about a single weapons sale and more about a broader pattern:

• Turkey supporting Pakistan diplomatically,
• expanding defense exports in South Asia,
• and increasing geopolitical visibility around India’s neighborhood.