Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan visits PAF headquarters, Pakistan assures fast-tracked Super Mushshak delivery
Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan with PAF Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu
Bangladesh is in discussions to procure JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan, marking a potential defence deal as Islamabad capitalises on growing international interest in its combat aircraft after the May 2025 conflict with India.
A high-level defence delegation led by Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force, held detailed discussions on the potential procurement during a visit to Air Headquarters, Islamabad, where they called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force. The visiting air chief was accorded a Guard of Honour.
The JF-17 Thunder, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, has emerged as a key export success for Pakistan’s defence industry. After reports that the PAF shot down multiple Indian combat aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets, during the May 2025 conflict, international interest in Pakistan’s operational assets surged.
This resulted in share prices of China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), which manufactures the aircraft, surging by over 17%. In December 2025, Libya and Pakistan reached a major multi-billion-dollar conventional arms export deal, described as one of Pakistan’s largest-ever weapons sales, which included 16 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.
The meeting between the air chiefs focused on strengthening operational cooperation and institutional synergy, with emphasis on training, capacity building, and collaboration in aerospace advancements.
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu briefed the visiting delegation on PAF’s recent advancements and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Bangladesh Air Force through a comprehensive training framework.
He also assured fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, a Pakistani-made basic trainer used for pilot training, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem.
Read: Pakistan, Libya clinch multi-billion dollar arms deal
The Bangladeshi Air Chief praised PAF’s combat record and sought assistance in maintenance support for Bangladesh Air Force’s aging fleet and integration of air defence radar systems to enhance air surveillance.
The delegation also visited PAF facilities, including the National ISR and Integrated Air Operations Centre, PAF Cyber Command, and the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, observing capabilities in ISR, cyber, space, electronic warfare, and unmanned systems.
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.
