Pakistan and Bangladesh’s air force chiefs on Tuesday held detailed discussions on the possible procurement of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported.
An ISPR statement said Bangladesh Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan met his Pakistan Air Force (PAF) counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, during his visit to Islamabad.
The Bangladeshi air chief was accompanied by a senior-level defence delegation.
According to ISPR, the visiting air chief was presented with a guard of honour upon arrival. “The meeting focused on strengthening operational cooperation and institutional synergy, with emphasis on training, capacity building, and collaboration in aerospace advancements.”
During the meeting, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to providing the Bangladesh Air Force with a comprehensive training framework and briefed his Bangladeshi counterpart on the latest developments in the PAF.
“He also assured fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem,” ISPR added.
“The Bangladeshi air chief praised the PAF’s combat record and expressed interest in benefiting from its operational expertise, seeking assistance in maintenance support for the Bangladesh Air Force’s ageing fleet as well as the integration of air defence radar systems to enhance air surveillance,” the statement said.
ISPR said both sides also held in-depth discussions on the potential acquisition of JF-17 Thunder aircraft. The visiting delegation also toured key PAF facilities during the visit.
The JF-17 Thunder is a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China, which has proven its operational capability during military conflicts with India in 2019 and 2025.
“The visit underscored the strong historical ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh and reflected a shared resolve to deepen defence cooperation and build a long-term strategic partnership,” the statement said.