Bangladesh Air Chief ‘s Visit to Pakistan: A journey towards strong defence ties
Dr.Syed Mehboob
Senior Research Editor
The News Lark, political and economic analyst
Pakistan and Bangladesh are moving towards new strategic ties. Both countries' people are already close to one another, and now governments level ties are moving towards a new height. Both countries are brothers and have many similarities, and it is the need of time to strengthen strong relations in every filed including trade, politics, defence, and social sectors.
January 6, 2026, was a historic day when Bangladesh Air Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Hasan Mahmood Khan arrived in Islamabad and was warmly welcomed at Air Headquarters. The significant events of his visit were his meetings with highest military officials in Pakistan. He met with Pakistani Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal General Hafiz Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ). During the meeting, matters if mutual interest, regional security dynamics, and avenues for enhancing bilateral defence and military cooperation were discussed. Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening professional collaboration, training exchanges, and defence ties between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Hasan Mahmood Khan appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and appreciated their contributions towards regional peace and stability. Field Marshal Hafiz Syed Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fostering enduring defence relations with Bangladesh. The meeting reflected the longstanding and strong bonds and deeper understanding between the two brother countries. During the meeting, matters of mutual professional interests, evolving regional security paradigms, and avenues for further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation were discussed.
Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Hasan Mahmood Khan also met with Pakistan’s Naval Chief, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and acknowledged the high professional standards of the Pakistan Navy (PN) and expressed his desire for collaboration between the two brotherly nations. Both sides agreed on the importance of increasing the frequency of high-level exchanges and joint training to foster greater synergy. Pakistan Naval Chief highlighted the Pakistan Navy’s commitment to regional maritime peace and stability through its various initiatives. Bangladesh Air Chief Hasan Mahmood’s visit reflects strong and deepening defence ties between the two countries, following the significant visit of Admiral Naveed Ashraf to Dhaka in November 2025. During his visit to Bangladesh, Admiral Naveed Ashraf had met with Dhaka’s senior military leadership and discussed avenues to bolster defence cooperation. Pakistan Navy’s chief also visited the National Defence College and the Bangladesh Naval Academy.
Bangladesh and Pakistan are in early discussions on a possible defence agreement that could include the sale of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, as both countries look to deepen military ties and expand cooperation. The talk took place in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babur Sidhu and his Bangladeshi counterpart Hasan Mahmood Khan, focusing on a potential pact that would enhance defence collaboration and support Bangladesh’s modernization of its air force. At the heart of the discussions was the possible procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, lightweight, multirole combat jets jointly developed by Pakistan and China and built in Pakistan. The two sides also discussed the fast delivery of Mushshak trainer aircraft along with associated training and long-term support. The potential agreement comes as part of a broader effort to expand Pakistan’s arms exports and military cooperation abroad, especially with its brother country, Bangladesh.
Recently, Pakistan and Bangladesh relations enhanced significantly, and both countries started direct trade. On 29 January 2026, both countries will start direct flights from Islamabad to Dhaka. Aside from defense cooperation, military officials from both countries have been engaging in a series of meetings to explore shared interests and long-term collaboration.
Pakistan’s growing presence in the global defense market was highlighted by its recent multi-billion-dollar deal with Libya, which included 16 JF-17 fighter jets and 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.
The Bangladeshi delegation also toured key Pakistan Air Force (PAF) facilities, exploring Pakistan’s expertise in air defense, ISR, cyber, space, and unmanned systems, while seeking maintenance and integration support for its aging fleet.
This visit and potential JF-17 sales underscore Pakistan’s expanding footprint in the global arms market, as it continues to build military partnerships and generate revenue from its defense industry.
Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Chief of the Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force, visited Pakistan’s National Defence University (NDU) on 8th January 2026, as part of an official engagement focused on strengthening professional military education and joint training cooperation.
The visiting Bangladesh Air Chief, Hasan Mahmood Khan, is an alumnus of the National Security and War Course 2010-11, called on Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar, President of National Defence University (NDU), at the university’s Islamabad campus. The meeting brought together senior leadership from both sides to discuss avenues for expanding institutional collaboration. During the interaction, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of sustained military-to-military engagement, with particular emphasis on professional military education, joint training initiatives, and the exchange of expertise between armed forces institutions. Discussions highlighted the role of academic forums in developing strategic understanding and interoperability among partner air forces.
The visit was marked by a focus on shared learning experiences at NDU, where senior officers from Pakistan and friendly countries undergo advanced studies in national security, strategy, and defence management. Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan’s return to the institution as a visiting dignitary underscored the enduring academic links formed through the National Security and War Course.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) is the professional head of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF). Only pilot officers from the GDP branch get this post. The appointment is held by a four-star air office and the Current Chief of Air Staff is Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Hasan Mahmood Khan.
The Bangladesh Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, responsible for defending the airspace of Bangladesh and supporting national security operations. Operating under the Ministry of Defence, the BAF conducts air defence, reconnaissance, transport, and disaster relief missions.
Pakistan and Bangladesh are moving towards a new strategic height and this is a good omen and will pave the way peace and stability in the region.
|