Dhaka: Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International (CETC) have entered into a significant agreement under a government-to-government framework to establish an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) manufacturing and assembly plant in Bangladesh. The deal was signed at the Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attended the signing ceremony as the chief guest, as confirmed by an ISPR media release. The agreement outlines the joint establishment of a state-of-the-art UAV manufacturing and assembly facility, which includes technology transfer, capacity building, industrial skill development, and joint technical cooperation. This initiative aims to help Bangladesh achieve long-term self-reliance in UAV production.
The project will enable the Bangladesh Air Force to initially manufacture and assemble various types of Medium Altitude Low Endurance (MALE) UAVs and Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs. Additionally, the Bangladesh Air Force will have the capability to produce its own UAVs, which will be utilized not only in military operations but also for humanitarian assistance and disaster management.
The signing ceremony was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan, Secretary of the Chief Adviser’s Office Md Saifullah Panna, Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division Dr. Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, along with senior officials from the Bangladesh Air Force, CETC International, the Armed Forces Division, and various ministries.