How Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder Is Set to Replace Tejas in Bangladesh
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00:00India's defence procurement landscape is undergoing significant change, driven by shifting geopolitical
00:06dynamics in South Asia and beyond.
00:09The JF-17 Thunder, co-developed by Pakistan and China, is emerging as a more viable option
00:16for Dhaka's air force over India's Tejas fighter jet.
00:22This shift reflects not only strategic calculations, but also Bangladesh's growing inclination
00:28toward building defence ties with nations like Pakistan and China, particularly as regional
00:34tensions evolve.
00:37Bangladesh's strategic interests have been gradually shifting as it seeks to diversify
00:41its defence partnerships away from traditional regional powers.
00:46India's Tejas, while a technically sound aircraft, comes with certain political baggage.
00:53Bangladesh's strained ties with India in recent years, exacerbated by border disputes
00:57and geopolitical alignments, make the procurement of Indian defence technology a sensitive issue.
01:04As Bangladesh reshapes its defence procurement strategy in the wake of shifting geopolitical
01:09realities, the Pakistan-China co-developed JF-17 Thunder is emerging as the most viable
01:16alternative to India's Tejas fighter jet.
01:21With relations between Dhaka and New Delhi becoming increasingly strained, Bangladesh
01:27is eyeing the JF-17 as a more effective and geopolitically suitable option for its air
01:33force modernisation.
01:36This change is emblematic of Bangladesh's broader move away from India's influence and
01:40toward greater strategic autonomy, with Pakistan positioned as a key partner.
01:46For years, India has wielded significant influence over Bangladesh, leveraging political and
01:52economic power to shape Dhaka's defence decisions.
01:56However, recent political shifts in Bangladesh, including the removal of an India-backed government,
02:03have allowed Dhaka to make choices that prioritise its own national security over India's regional agenda.
02:12The Tejas fighter jet, while technically capable, symbolises India's overreach and comes with
02:18political strings that Dhaka no longer feels compelled to accept.
02:24On the other hand, the JF-17 Thunder presents a neutral, cost-effective and potent alternative
02:31that aligns with Bangladesh's desire to diversify its defence partnerships.
02:36With the JF-17, Bangladesh can break free from India's defence ecosystem and pursue
02:42a more balanced relationship with Pakistan and China, two nations that have consistently
02:47supported Bangladesh without the coercive undertones seen from New Delhi.
02:52One of the key reasons Bangladesh is likely to choose the JF-17 over Tejas is the fighter
02:57jet's growing global demand.
02:59The JF-17 has already been successfully exported to countries like Myanmar, Nigeria and now
03:06Azerbaijan, which has just procured the Advanced Block III variant.
03:13This global interest underscores the JF-17's reputation as a reliable, combat-proven and
03:20highly versatile platform that offers advanced 4.5 generation capabilities at a fraction
03:27of the cost of Western and Indian alternatives.
03:30Bangladesh's Air Force would benefit significantly from acquiring the JF-17, especially at a
03:36time when the international defence market is showing strong demand for the fighter jet.
03:42The JF-17 is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, advanced radar systems and a wide
03:50array of weaponry, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, making it a formidable
03:55platform for any air force seeking to modernise its fleet.
04:00Moreover, Pakistan's successful exports of the JF-17 highlight its ability to meet international
04:07standards while offering competitive pricing.
04:11In contrast, India's Tejas has struggled to gain similar traction in the global defence
04:16market, with several countries opting for other platforms over the Tejas due to cost
04:22and performance concerns.
04:24With Bangladesh now adopting an increasingly anti-India stance, the decision to choose
04:29the JF-17 becomes not just a defence procurement decision, but a strategic statement.
04:37Dhaka is no longer under the thumb of India's political influence and is actively seeking
04:42to diversify its defence relationships.
04:46By choosing the JF-17 Thunder, Bangladesh can assert its independence from India, signalling
04:53that it will no longer be beholden to New Delhi's interests.
04:57Pakistan, having always maintained a respectful and supportive relationship with Bangladesh,
05:02is the ideal partner for Dhaka at this juncture.
05:05Offering the JF-17 Thunder would solidify Pakistan's role as a trusted ally, providing
05:11Bangladesh with a top-tier fighter jet that aligns with its evolving defence needs.
05:18Additionally, China's backing of the JF-17 programme ensures long-term support, upgrades
05:25and a strategic partnership that could further enhance Bangladesh's military capabilities.
05:32The changing geopolitical landscape has set the stage for Bangladesh to make a bold move
05:37in its defence strategy by choosing the JF-17 Thunder over India's Tejas.
05:44With growing global demand for the JF-17 and Bangladesh's increasing distance from India,
05:50the time is ripe for Dhaka to finalise this critical defence decision.
05:55Pakistan's JF-17 offers not only advanced capabilities, but also a defence partnership
06:01built on mutual respect, free from the coercive influence of India.
06:06As Bangladesh seeks to assert its strategic autonomy, the JF-17 Thunder stands ready to
06:12propel its air force into a new era of modernisation and regional significance.
06:18The current strategic realignment in the region, where Bangladesh seeks to balance its relations
06:23with India and Pakistan, suggests that Dhaka is more likely to lean toward the JF-17 over
06:30Tejas.
06:32With its advanced avionics, competitive pricing and support from Pakistan and China, the JF-17
06:39Thunder is quickly becoming the preferred option for Bangladesh's defence modernisation.