There are signs of a major change in Bangladesh's foreign policy. Amidst the long-standing diplomatic balance, initiatives to increase defense, infrastructure and economic cooperation with China have now come to the fore. New discussions have begun surrounding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to China—especially the possibility of purchasing J-10CE fighter jets from China, military technology cooperation and Chinese financing for major infrastructure projects.
Bangladesh needs a modern defense capability—there is no room for denying this. As an independent state, modernization of the armed forces is necessary to ensure its own security. But the question is, will the path to that modernization be limited to buying weapons only? Or is it necessary to invest more in human resources, technology, education, health and economic capacity for the country's long-term security?
Many see increasing relations with China as an economic opportunity. China is one of the world's largest economic powers and there is no room for denying their capacity to develop infrastructure. But the experience of different countries around the world shows that excessive debt, military equipment and technological dependence can narrow a country's strategic independence. Sri Lanka's debt crisis, the controversy over Chinese projects in various African countries and the geopolitical competition in South Asia are warning signs for Bangladesh.
In particular, there are questions about the decision to purchase the multi-billion dollar J-10 CE fighter jet. How reasonable is such a large military expenditure for a developing country, when the country's health, education, skill development and employment sectors are still facing major challenges?
Bangladesh's security does not depend only on weapons. A country's long-term strength comes from its economy, technology, skilled population and social capabilities. Therefore, before expanding its defense relations with China, Bangladesh needs to think - is this really a necessary strategic investment, or will it create the basis for a new dependency in the future?
J-10 CE fighter jet: Modern capability or costly risk?
Bangladesh is planning to buy the J-10 CE multirole fighter jet from China. Discussions are underway to buy 20 to 24 fighter jets under a possible deal, which could be worth several billion dollars.
China is promoting the J-10CE as a modern 4.5 generation fighter jet. It is claimed to have an AESA radar, modern missile system and multi-role combat capabilities. However, a section of international defense analysts believe that the actual combat effectiveness of the aircraft has not yet been fully proven.
During the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan claimed that its J-10CE fighter jet played an effective role against the Indian Rafale fighter jet. But there is debate about the independent verification of these claims. How much success it has actually achieved, how many targets it has destroyed - impartial information on these issues is limited.
The issue of buying a fighter jet is not limited to just buying the aircraft. It is associated with long-term training, pilot development, spare parts, maintenance systems and technical support. When a country's air force becomes more dependent on the technology of a particular country, strategic pressure may arise in terms of supply, maintenance and upgrades in the future.
Various questions have also been raised in the past about China's military technology. In 2016, China's first female J-10 CE pilot, Yu Shu, was killed in a J-10 CE training accident in Hebei Province, China. Although no single accident can be used to evaluate the entire technology, such incidents are taken into account when discussing the reliability and safety of military equipment.
For a developing country like Bangladesh, defense spending of several billion dollars therefore needs to be considered not only from a military perspective, but also from an economic priority perspective. The question is, if the same amount of money had been spent on the country's technological education, health system, or skills development, which investment would have increased Bangladesh's strength more in the long run?
Chinese loans and projects: Development cooperation or new dependency?
China is currently one of the world's largest infrastructure investors. Bangladesh needs foreign investment to develop infrastructure after the Padma Bridge, power, communications, ports and industrial zones. China's economic power can create opportunities for Bangladesh in this area.
But problems arise when a country becomes overly dependent on a specific partner in the economic and strategic sectors.
The example of Sri Lanka is often discussed. After the construction of the Hambantota port with Chinese loans, a debt repayment crisis arose and China's role in long-term management was debated at the international level.
The situation in Bangladesh is not like Sri Lanka—this is true. Bangladesh's economy is relatively large, it has export capacity, and the country also has its own position in foreign relations. However, caution is needed.
If dependence on one country increases in all areas—ports, energy, communications infrastructure and military technology—then the freedom to make diplomatic decisions in the future may be limited.
Bangladesh should maintain relations with China, but that relationship should be based on equality, transparency and national interests. Bangladesh should not aim to enter any country's sphere of influence, but rather to engage in multifaceted international partnerships.
Bangladesh's real security: not weapons, but skilled people and a strong society
A country's real security does not depend only on fighter jets, missiles or military equipment. A country's greatest strength is its people.
The biggest challenges facing Bangladesh today include a shortage of skilled workers, limitations in the health sector, lagging behind in research and technology, and creating sufficient employment for its youth.
A modern fighter jet can strengthen the country's air defense, but a skilled generation can advance the country's economy, technology and national capabilities by decades.
Therefore, Bangladesh should modernize its defense, but that modernization should not turn into a competition to buy weapons alone. Defense planning needs to be done in line with the country's economic capabilities, technological development and human resource development.
Relations with China can create opportunities for Bangladesh, but those opportunities should not become a cause for dependence. Bangladesh needs to adopt a policy where national interests, economic independence and people's development are given the highest priority.
Because ultimately, the future of a country is not determined by how many fighter jets it has; it is determined by how many skilled, healthy, and capable people are building that country's future.