Indian Defence Updates (IDU) has claimed that Türkiye has proposed a $600 million defence package for the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), reportedly including aircraft upgrades, precision-guided munitions, and advanced air defence systems. However, the claim was made without citing sources or providing technical details, raising questions about its credibility and intent.
Reports Coincide with Turkish Deputy Minister’s Visit
The Indian social media reports surfaced as Turkish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador A. Berris Ekinci, is currently visiting Bangladesh on an official trip, during which she emphasised the importance of defence and defence-industrial cooperation between the two nations.
In her meetings in Dhaka, Ambassador Ekinci reiterated her government’s readiness to transfer military technologies to Bangladesh to help develop its domestic defence industries and strengthen the nation’s overall military capabilities. The timing of the unverified reports has led to speculation that they may have been intended to influence perceptions surrounding her high-level visit.
Lack of Clarity in the Report
The IDU report broadly asserts the existence of a large-scale Turkish offer but fails to specify which BAF platforms are to be upgraded or what systems are included in the proposal. Without verification from either Ankara or Dhaka, the claim remains unsubstantiated.
Ongoing Turkish Assistance to the Bangladesh Air Force
Despite the absence of official confirmation, Türkiye and Bangladesh have been expanding defence cooperation over recent years. The BAF already benefits from technical assistance provided by Turkish defence manufacturers such as Roketsan, Aselsan, and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
Through these collaborations, the F-7BG fighter aircraft have been upgraded to integrate and deploy Teber series precision-guided munitions, a capability that enhances both accuracy and operational flexibility. The Teber system converts general-purpose bombs into smart weapons with laser and GPS guidance.
Potential Air Defence Cooperation
Since 2020, the Bangladesh Air Force has been seeking to acquire medium to long-range air defence systems to establish a more robust and layered air defence network. The Hisar-O+ system, developed jointly by Aselsan and Roketsan, remains among the options under study. It offers an engagement range of up to 40 kilometres against multiple aerial threats, including aircraft, UAVs, and cruise missiles.
Strategic Context
Defence and industrial cooperation between Dhaka and Ankara has already yielded tangible results, with Bangladesh inducting smart munitions, surveillance equipment, and unmanned aerial vehicles from Türkiye. If verified, a $600 million package would represent one of the largest bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between the two countries.
However, until official confirmation is issued by either government, the reports should be treated cautiously. It remains possible that ongoing negotiations or exploratory talks have been misinterpreted or overstated by social media outlets.
Our Assessment
While there is no verified evidence to support the claim of a $600 million Turkish defence proposal to the Bangladesh Air Force, the reports do highlight the growing strategic convergence between Dhaka and Ankara.
The visit of Ambassador A. Berris Ekinci reaffirms Türkiye’s commitment to technology transfer, joint production, and capacity building within Bangladesh’s defence sector. Should any formalised agreement follow, it would mark a significant advancement in the Bangladesh Air Force’s modernisation drive and in bilateral defence-industrial relations.
Amit Bhattacharya is a leading defence procurement expert with deep expertise in modern weapon systems and military hardware acquisition. Over more than a decade, he has collaborated with top defence contractors and strategic research institutions, delivering incisive analysis on procurement frameworks, capability development, and technology integration for armed forces worldwide. Amit bridges the gap between operational requirements and industrial capacity, providing authoritative evaluations of modernisation programmes, defence budgets, and acquisition reforms in both established and emerging defence markets. He leads the Defence Procurement and Defence Industry sections at BDMilitary, shaping strategic discourse on defence innovation. Amit earned his Master of Policy and Governance (MPAG) from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, complementing his practical expertise with advanced policy and governance insight.
