Bangladesh is moving toward formal negotiations with China for a possible purchase of J-10CE fighter jets and attack helicopters, a deal that could represent a major defense acquisition for the country. Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said a government panel is preparing a draft agreement that would facilitate negotiations with Beijing. The government has not disclosed how many aircraft it intends to acquire, the estimated value of the deal, or a delivery schedule. Local reporting previously suggested a potential requirement for up to 24 J-10CE fighters. The J-10CE is a single‑engine multirole fighter equipped with an active electronically scanned array radar, modern avionics, electronic warfare capabilities, and the ability to employ Chinese precision‑guided weapons, including the beyond‑visual‑range PL‑15 missile. Bangladesh’s air force currently operates older Chengdu F‑7 and MiG‑29 aircraft, which officials say face maintenance and readiness challenges. The J-10CE has been employed by Pakistan in combat operations during the May 2025 India‑Pakistan conflict, where it reportedly engaged Indian aircraft; Bangladeshi officials said the aircraft’s performance in that conflict has attracted attention in Dhaka. China is developing more advanced stealth fighters such as the FC‑31/J‑35, but the J-10C remains a mature platform already in service abroad, offering a ready capability for export. In addition to Bangladesh, Uzbekistan has been linked to the J-10CE, with imagery of a serial‑numbered aircraft sparking speculation about a potential order of 24 jets. The prospective deal would expand China’s role in a defense market historically dominated by Russian equipment. The terms of the potential transaction, including pricing and schedule, have not been finalized, and Bangladesh has not indicated when deliveries might begin.