Drone manufacturing deal with China: ‘We will not jeopardise other relations’

Bangladesh will not take any step in defence procurement that could damage its relations with other countries, Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain has said.

He made the remarks on Wednesday in response to queries over a Tk 6.08 billion agreement with the Chinese government to establish a military drone manufacturing plant in Bangladesh.

During the briefing, he also addressed discussions surrounding the potential deployment of Bangladeshi troops to Gaza, noting that no final decision has been made.

Bangladesh has previously expressed interest in participating in a proposed international stabilisation force (ISF) for Gaza, subject to specific conditions.

Several media outlets have reported on Bangladesh’s initiative to sign an agreement with the Chinese government to build a military drone production facility aimed at strengthening air defence capabilities.

Under the proposed deal, the Bangladesh Air Force will implement the project using technology supplied by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) International, a state-run Chinese defence electronics firm.

Asked at the foreign ministry briefing whether this military partnership with China might affect relations with the United States, the advisor offered a broader perspective:

"I will give a generic reply. We must enhance the capabilities of our armed forces. Take the Air Force, for example -- most of our aircraft are very old, and many are no longer operational. Therefore, we require a minimum procurement.

"There is extensive discussion regarding where we source equipment from and what volume is brought in from which country. We will certainly not do anything that could deteriorate our relationship with any particular party. We will maintain a balance."

On the proposal to send Bangladeshi troops to the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) for security in Gaza, Touhid said: "The decision to send our forces to Gaza has not yet been reached."

Pressed on whether an "in-principle decision" had been made, he clarified: "By 'decision in principle', I mean discussions are currently ongoing. Nothing has been finalised over who will participate and who won’t. The crux of the matter, however, is the three conditions we have set. We will not go unless that specific environment is created."

He added, "Firstly, we are not going there to engage in combat. Secondly, we will not go if the governing authority there is someone with whom communication or dialogue is impossible.

“Our conditions are quite clear. We will consider it further, but as of now, no decision has been made."

A statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office on Saturday said National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman had raised Bangladesh’s interest in the force during meetings with United States officials in Washington DC.