Bangladesh, China sign deal to set up MALE & VTOL UAV manufacturing plant with technology transfer

The Chronify

January 28, 2026

Bangladesh Air Force and China’s CETC International have signed a G2G agreement to establish a UAV manufacturing and assembly facility in Bangladesh. The project includes full technology transfer and aims to build long-term self-reliance in drone production.

The Bangladesh Air Force and China’s state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) International on Tuesday signed a government-to-government (G2G) agreement to establish an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) manufacturing and assembly plant in Bangladesh, along with technology transfer.

The agreement was signed at the Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment. Hasan Mahmood Khan, Chief of Air Staff, attended the signing ceremony as the chief guest, according to an ISPR press release.

Under the agreement, Bangladesh Air Force and CETC International will jointly establish a state-of-the-art UAV manufacturing and assembly facility in the country. The initiative includes technology transfer, capacity building, industrial skill development, and joint technical cooperation, aimed at achieving long-term self-reliance in UAV production.

Through this project, the Bangladesh Air Force will initially acquire the capability to manufacture and assemble various types of Medium Altitude Low Endurance (MALE) UAVs and Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs. In the long term, the Air Force will also be able to design and produce its own UAV platforms.

According to the ISPR release, the UAVs will be used not only for military operations but also for humanitarian assistance, disaster management, and other civilian applications.

The signing ceremony was attended by Yao Wen, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division SM Kamrul Hassan, Secretary of the Chief Adviser’s Office Md Saifullah Panna, Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division Dr Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, senior Bangladesh Air Force officials, representatives of CETC International, and senior officials from various ministries.