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 Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) delegation led by Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan held talks with Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at the Air Headquarters with discussions also covering the potential purchase of Thunder-17 fighter jets.
The visit by the Bangladesh air chief is the latest in a series of high-level exchanges underscoring what both sides describe as a joint determination to deepen defense cooperation and build a long-term strategic partnership. The visiting Air Chief of Bangladesh was accorded a guard of honor on arrival.
According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting focused on strengthening operational cooperation and institutional synergy between the two air forces, with special emphasis on training, capacity building and cooperation in aerospace advancements.
During the talks, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu briefed his counterpart on Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) latest operational and technological advancements and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support Bangladesh Air Force through a comprehensive training framework.
This framework, ISPR said, would span basic to advanced flight training as well as specialized courses at various PAF institutions. The PAF chief also assured prompt delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem to meet the BAF requirements.
A key element of the discussions was Bangladesh’s expressed interest in benefiting from the PAF’s operational experience and combat-proven platforms. The Bangladeshi air chief praised the PAF’s combat record and sought assistance in maintenance support for the BAF’s aging fleet, as well as the integration of air defense radar systems to improve air surveillance capabilities.
“Detailed discussions were also held on potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft,” the ISPR said, indicating growing interest in Pakistan’s flagship multi-role fighter, which is jointly produced with China and has already been deployed by several air forces.
The Bangladeshi delegation also visited key PAF facilities including the National ISR & Integrated Air Operations Centre, the PAF Cyber Command and the National Aerospace Science & 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 amid a broader recalibration in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations 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 defense and security sphere.
While Bangladesh’s relationship with India, traditionally its closest regional partner, has been strained by political and strategic disagreements, Dhaka has been quietly exploring new avenues of cooperation with Pakistan.
Recent months have seen an increase in diplomatic contacts and defense-related engagements, signaling a more pragmatic approach on both sides.
According to the ISPR, the visit also highlighted the strong historical ties between the two countries and reflected mutual interest in expanding cooperation in training, technology and force modernization, with the JF-17 Thunder emerging as a potential centerpiece of future cooperation.
