Bangladesh to Begin Domestic Drone Production with Chinese Assistance
Bangladesh is set to enter a new era of air defense and modern warfare technology as the country prepares to begin domestic production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, with technical assistance from China. For the first time, an initiative has been taken to manufacture and assemble drones within the country through Chinese technological support.
To this end, a significant government-to-government (G2G) agreement has been signed between the Bangladesh Air Force and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International (CETC International). The agreement was signed on Tuesday, 27 January, at the Air Headquarters, covering the establishment of a “UAV Manufacturing and Assembly Plant” and the transfer of technology (ToT). The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the development in an official press release.
According to ISPR, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, was present at the ceremony as the chief guest. The agreement will be implemented under the project titled “Establishment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Manufacturing and Assembly Plant and Technology Transfer.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the Bangladesh Air Force and CETC International will jointly establish a state-of-the-art UAV manufacturing and assembly facility in Bangladesh. It is expected that this initiative will significantly enhance the country’s capabilities in drone technology.
Key features of the agreement include technology transfer, capacity building, development of industrial skills, and joint technical cooperation. In the long run, the initiative is expected to make Bangladesh self-reliant in drone production and further strengthen the country’s domestic defense industry.
In the initial phase, the Bangladesh Air Force will acquire the capability to manufacture and assemble various types of UAVs, including Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones and Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs. In addition, the project is expected to enable the Air Force to develop the capability to produce drones based on its own designs in the future.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen; Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hasan; 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 of the Bangladesh Air Force.
DBTech/EC/MM
