Bangladesh signs deal with Chinese firm to produce drones locally

The agreement includes technology transfer and joint production of UAVs in the country

Bangladesh has signed an agreement with a Chinese company to establish a domestic manufacturing and assembly facility for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones.

The government-to-government deal was signed on Tuesday at the Bangladesh Air Force Headquarters between the BAF and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International (CETC International), according to a statement posted on Facebook by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Under the agreement, the two sides will jointly set up an advanced UAV production and assembly plant in Bangladesh, with provisions for technology transfer, capacity building, industrial skills development and long-term technical cooperation.

ISPR said the project aims to enable the BAF to achieve self-reliance in UAV production.

The facility will initially manufacture and assemble medium-altitude, low-endurance UAVs as well as vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones that do not require runways.

The Air Force will also develop its own UAV platforms under the project.

The drones are expected to be used for military operations as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

According to ISPR, the agreement will expand national capabilities to meet both domestic and international demand for UAVs, while contributing to technological advancement through specialised training, knowledge exchange and the development of a skilled aerospace workforce.

Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attended the signing ceremony, along with Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and senior military and government officials.