Three senior executives from Leonardo S.p.A., the prominent Italian aerospace and defense firm, met with Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan today to discuss the potential acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon Multi-Role Combat Aircraft. This meeting underscores Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to modernize its defense forces. Major General Luigi Casali, head of the Industrial Policy and Industrial Cooperation Division of the Italian National Armaments Directorate, along with Leonardo’s Senior Vice-President of Marketing Sales Tommasso Pani and Vice-President of Fighter Sales Constantino Panvini, arrived at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport and are scheduled to depart on December 10.
The Eurofighter Typhoon, built by a consortium including Leonardo, BAE Systems, and Airbus Defence and Space, is regarded as Europe’s premier multi-role fighter. Leonardo is integral in producing crucial components such as avionics, wings, and fuselage sections, while also overseeing assembly for Italian orders and providing essential training and support. The Typhoon is designed for all-weather capabilities and excels in air superiority, ground attack, and surveillance missions. Notably, it features a twin-engine configuration, is supersonic with a top speed of Mach 2.35, and is equipped with both active and passive avionic systems that enhance its attack capabilities and net-centric operations.
During their visit, the Italian delegation was welcomed by a senior officer of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and subsequently transported to Air Headquarters. There, they engaged with Air Chief Marshal Hasan to finalize discussions regarding the potential acquisition of the Eurofighter Typhoon. Competing for this contract is the advanced Chinese JF-17 fighter, developed collaboratively by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. Additionally, Bangladesh is considering the J-10CE single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft.
Despite the J-10CE being operated solely by China and the Pakistan Air Force, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Office recently indicated that acquiring 20 of these fighters by 2027 could cost approximately $1.2 billion for the airframes alone. Total expenses, including training and spare parts, may climb to $2.2 billion, with payment spread over ten years until fiscal year 2035-36. Approval for the fighter purchase rests with Air Chief Marshal Khan, who leads a 12-member inter-ministerial committee.
Leonardo S.p.A. is recognized for its significant role in aerospace, defense, and security, backed by the Italian government ownership and a commitment to innovation and sustainability in its operations. The procurement needs of the Eurofighter program are managed by the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA). Recent advancements include the development of Eurofighter Typhoons equipped with the cutting-edge Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the Kuwait Air Force, enhancing operational capability.
This collaboration reflects a strategic move for Bangladesh as it seeks to enhance its air force’s capabilities and modernize its defense posture in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/neighbours/eurofighter-typhoon-fighter-aircraft-executives-land-in-dhaka-to-meet-bangladesh-air-force-chief/37445/
Category: Neighbours,Bangladesh,Eurofighter Typhoon,Fighter Aircraft,Hasan Mahmood Khan
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Publish Date: 2025-12-09 16:21:00
