Bangladesh plans to buy Eurofighter Jet
Dhaka’s Strategic Leap in Air Power
Bangladesh has taken a decisive step in modernizing its military under the Forces Goal 2030 program by signing a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Italian aerospace giant Leonardo S.p.A. to acquire Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat aircraft. The agreement was formalized on December 9, 2025, at the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) headquarters in Dhaka, in the presence of Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Italy’s Ambassador Antonio Alessandro, and senior officials from both nations.
Key Highlights of the Deal
- Aircraft Type: Eurofighter Typhoon, a fourth-generation multirole fighter jointly developed by Italy, Germany, the U.K., and Spain.
- Procurement Stage: LoI signed; final contract negotiations to follow.
- Fleet Diversification: Marks Bangladesh’s first major Western fighter jet acquisition, moving beyond Chinese F-7s and Russian MiG-29s.
- Expected Numbers: Reports suggest Bangladesh may seek up to 16 aircraft in the coming years.
Why the Eurofighter Typhoon?
The Typhoon is renowned for its advanced avionics, agility, and multirole capabilities, excelling in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Compared to alternatives like the French Rafale or Chinese J-10, the Typhoon offers European technology, NATO-standard interoperability, and long-term upgrade potential.
Strategic and Regional Implications
- Defense Partnerships: Signals a shift towards European defense cooperation, reducing reliance on Chinese and Russian suppliers.
- Regional Balance: Enhances Bangladesh’s deterrence capabilities, especially as India operates Rafales and Sukhoi jets.
- Diplomatic Relations: Strengthens Bangladesh–Italy ties, positioning Italy as a key defense partner in South Asia.
Official Remarks
Bangladesh Air Force officials hailed the deal as a “pivotal step in strengthening next-generation combat capabilities”, while Italian representatives emphasized the importance of long-term aerospace collaboration.
Conclusion
The Bangladesh–Italy Eurofighter agreement marks a turning point in Dhaka’s defense modernization. By opting for the Typhoon, Bangladesh is not only upgrading its air power but also reshaping its geopolitical alignments. The final contract will determine the scale of the acquisition, but the intent is clear: Bangladesh is preparing to enter a new era of advanced, Western-backed air combat capability.