Bangladesh Air Force to Start Domestic Drone Production

The Bangladesh Air Force has signed a government-to-government agreement with China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International (CETC) to establish a domestic facility for manufacturing and assembling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), alongside a comprehensive technology transfer programme.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday at Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment, with Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attending the ceremony as chief guest.

Under the deal, the Bangladesh Air Force and the Chinese state-owned defence technology firm will jointly set up a modern UAV manufacturing and assembly plant in Bangladesh. Officials said the initiative aims to build long-term national capacity through technology transfer, industrial skill development, specialised training and joint technical cooperation.

Initially, the project will enable the production and assembly of various categories of drones, including Medium Altitude Low Endurance (MALE) UAVs and Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) platforms. Over time, the air force is expected to develop the capability to design and produce indigenous UAV systems.

The drones manufactured under the programme will be used for defence and surveillance purposes, as well as civilian applications such as humanitarian assistance and disaster response, highlighting the growing dual-use role of UAV technology.

The signing ceremony was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, senior officials from the Armed Forces Division, the Chief Adviser’s Office, the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Bangladesh Air Force officials, and representatives of CETC International.