The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Italy’s Leonardo S.p.A for the acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft. The formal ceremony took place on December 9, 2025, at the Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka in the presence of Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Chief of Air Staff, and Antonio Alessandro, the Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh.
This agreement represents the first formal step towards the potential delivery of this fourth-plus generation aircraft, designed to join the BAF, enhancing their multi-role capabilities with advanced standards in terms of aerial surveillance, air-to-air combat, and ground attack.
High representatives of both countries were present at the signing, including officials from the Bangladeshi military and delegations from the Italian industry. This LOI now opens up a path of negotiation which might include operational configurations, training packages, logistic support, weapon packages, and potential industrial offsets.
A key piece in the BAF’s modernization plan
Bangladesh has initiated a process of rejuvenating its air tactical capabilities in recent years, both through the enhancement of existing lines as well as through the selection of new systems for national air defense.
Last April, the government had established an inter-ministerial committee to negotiate the purchase of 20 Chengdu J-10 fighters for an estimated amount of $2.2 billion. The initiation of talks with Leonardo now introduces a second high-level Western option, which could redefine the nation’s procurement balances.
Eurofighter Typhoon for the BAF
The potential introduction of the Typhoon would allow the Bangladesh Air Force to make a remarkable qualitative leap compared to the current inventory, estimated at approximately 212 aircraft, of which 44 are combatants.
The main assets currently in line include MiG-29, F-7, and updated F-7BGI aircraft, which still represent the main operational segment but are now outdated compared to contemporary threat profiles.
The Typhoon, designed as a swing-role aircraft and equipped with advanced avionics based on a digital architecture, an AESA Captor-E radar, a wide range of air-to-air and air-surface weaponry, and advanced air defense capabilities.
Italy-Bangladesh
The signing of the agreement represents a significant success for Leonardo and the Italian industry, which has consolidated defense partnerships with numerous Asian and Middle Eastern countries in recent years.
A potential order from Bangladesh would further strengthen the export dimension of the Eurofighter, already present in European, Middle Eastern and Asian air forces.
