Bangladesh signs deal with China to produce drones locally

Bangladesh has signed an agreement between the Bangladesh Air Force and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) International to locally manufacture drones.

According to Bangladesh’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the agreement was finalised under a government-to-government framework between the two countries.

The deal includes drone production, the establishment of assembly facilities, and the transfer of technology.

ISPR stated that under the agreement, the Bangladesh Air Force and CETC International will jointly set up state-of-the-art drone production and assembly facilities within Bangladesh.

The project will focus on technology transfer, capacity building, enhancement of industrial skills, and joint technical cooperation, with the aim of achieving long-term self-reliance in the drone manufacturing sector.

In the initial phase, the Bangladesh Air Force will gain the capability to produce and assemble various Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones as well as Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drones.

Additionally, the project will enable the Bangladesh Air Force to develop and manufacture its own locally designed drones. These drones will play a vital role not only in military operations but also in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.