- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:02 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bangladesh has signed a major defence agreement with China to establish a drone manufacturing facility, a move that comes amid growing diplomatic and strategic tensions between India and Bangladesh. The deal is expected to raise concerns in New Delhi due to the project’s proximity to India’s sensitive Siliguri Corridor.
The agreement was signed on January 27, 2026, at Dhaka Cantonment between the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and China’s state-owned defence firm, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), on a government-to-government basis.
Under the deal, China will transfer full drone technology to Bangladesh, enabling the country to assemble, manufacture, and eventually design advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) domestically. The manufacturing plant will be set up in the Bogra region of Bangladesh, with operations expected to begin by the end of 2026.
According to Bangladeshi officials, the drones will be used for humanitarian assistance, disaster management, and military operations. However, Indian security analysts view the development as strategically sensitive, as the proposed facility is located close to India’s northern border and the Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck”, which connects mainland India with its northeastern states.
Initially, the factory will produce two categories of drones: Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs, designed for long-range surveillance and strike capabilities, and Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs, capable of operating in diverse and challenging terrains.
The Bangladesh Air Force said the agreement would help the country achieve self-reliance in the UAV sector. The total estimated cost of the project is around 608 crore taka, or approximately USD 55 million.
The deal marks a significant expansion of China’s defence cooperation with Bangladesh and adds a new dimension to the evolving strategic dynamics in South Asia.