Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan meets Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters. Photo: PPI
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Bangladesh took another step towards deepening defense cooperation on Tuesday when a high-level delegation of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), led by Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, held talks with Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at the Air Headquarters with discussions also covering the possible acquisition of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
The Bangladesh air chief’s visit is the latest in a series of high-level exchanges, underlining what both sides describe as a shared determination to deepen defense cooperation and build a long-term strategic partnership. The visiting Bangladesh air chief was accorded a guard of honor upon his arrival.
According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the meeting focused on strengthening operational cooperation and institutional synergy between the two air forces, with special emphasis on training, capability development and collaboration on aerospace advancements.
During the talks, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu briefed his counterpart on the recent operational and technological advancements of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Bangladesh Air Force through a comprehensive training framework.
This framework, the ISPR said, would encompass basic and advanced flying training as well as specialized courses at various PAF institutions. The PAF chief also assured rapid delivery of the Super Mushshak training aircraft, along with a complete long-term training and support ecosystem to meet the requirements of the BAF.
A key element of the discussions was Bangladesh’s expressed interest in benefiting from PAF’s operational experience and combat-proven platforms. The Bangladesh air chief praised the combat record of the PAF and sought assistance in maintaining the aging BAF fleet as well as integrating air defense radar systems to enhance air surveillance capabilities.
“Detailed discussions were also held on the possible acquisition of the JF-17 Thunder aircraft,” the ISPR said, indicating growing interest in Pakistan’s flagship multi-role fighter aircraft, which is jointly produced with China and has already been inducted by several air forces.
The Bangladesh delegation also visited key PAF facilities including National Integrated Air Operations and ISR Centre, PAF Cyber Command and National Aerospace Science and Technology Park.
The visitors were briefed on Pakistan’s capabilities in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), cyber and space domains, electronic warfare and unmanned systems.
The visit comes against the backdrop of a broader recalibration of relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Since then, ties between Islamabad and Dhaka have shown signs of gradual transformation after decades of limited engagement, particularly in the field of defense and security.
While Bangladesh’s relations with India, traditionally its closest regional partner, have remained tense amid political and strategic differences, Dhaka has quietly explored new avenues of cooperation with Pakistan.
Recent months have seen an increase in diplomatic contacts and defense-related engagements, indicating a more pragmatic approach on the part of both sides.
According to the ISPR, the visit also highlighted the strong historical ties between the two countries and reflected mutual interest in expanding collaboration on training, technology and force modernization with the JF-17 Thunder emerging as a potential centerpiece of future cooperation.
