File photo of a Bangladesh Air Force J-7BGI. Photo Credit: Shadman Samee, Wikipedia Commons

File photo of a Bangladesh Air Force J-7BGI. Photo Credit: Shadman Samee, Wikipedia Commons
1 East Asia Pacific Opinion Social Issues South and Central Asia 

Another Preventable Tragedy: Will Bangladesh Become China’s Next Crash Test Zone? – OpEd

Dr. Anjuman A. Islam 0 Comments

By

On July 21, a horrific tragedy struck the Uttara area of Dhaka — a Chinese-made F-7BGI training aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed into the Milestone School and College building. At least 32 people lost their lives and scores were inured, most of them children. 

But the projection of this heartbreaking tragedy by Bangladesh’s interim government headed by Dr Muhammad Yunus belies reality — it lays bare the deep flaws, irresponsibility, and blind loyalty embedded in the country’s blind reliance on China putting its national security policy in jeopardy. While mourning the victims, countless students, teachers and parents have vented anger on social media for using such a risky fighter jet for training by Air Force.  

The national outrage put spotlight back to report that the interim regime has been moving toward a new deal — this time aiming to purchase 16 JF-10C multirole fighter jets from China. To move ahead with such a decision in the aftermath of a Chinese aircraft crash that claimed so many lives is not only reckless — it is the epitome of irresponsibility.

The crash of F-7BGI jet is not just a mere incident. It is a grave warning — showing how Bangladesh’s growing “dangerous romance” with China, which began during the country’s first military dictator and founder of BNP Gen Ziaur Rahman’s era, has made the nation vulnerable and insecure, a grim marker of complete dependence and moral bankruptcy. And now, under Yunus, that bankruptcy is being taken to an even deeper level. Over the past 20 years, Bangladesh has experienced ten military aircraft crashes — the majority involving Chinese-made jets. Of the 11 crashes recorded in the past two decades, seven involved China-made aircraft. The question must be asked: who gains from this friendship, and who pays the price with their lives?

A Pattern of Negligence

Since 2005, incidents involving Chinese-made F-7s, K-8Ws, and Russian-made Yak-130s have resulted in multiple fatalities, a colossal loss of costly military assets, and rising public concern over aviation safety and training standards. Despite these recurring disasters, the government has failed to address the core problem — the continued reliance on China’s low-cost but high-risk defense exports.

The aircraft that crashed — a Chinese F-7BGI — is a so-called “modernized” version of the Soviet-era MiG-21, a design from the 1960s. Expecting cadets to train on such outdated platforms raises serious questions about priorities in military procurement. Reports suggest the ill-fated aircraft was acquired around 2013, meaning it had already reached or exceeded its expected safe flying life of 10 to 12 years, according to former BAF officials.

Yet ignoring these warning signs, the Yunus government has not shifted away from announced move to purchase 16 JF-10C multirole jets from China — exposing total lack of introspection and complete absence of accountability.

Military data shows that out of 11 crashes in the last 20 years, seven involved Chinese aircraft, three were Russian-made, and one came from the Czech Republic. A retired BAF officer, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Chinese aircraft remain one of the primary reasons behind repeated mishaps, yet the reliance remained on the aircraft.

Bangladesh reportedly operates about 40 F-7BGIs, all sourced from China. While human error, bird strikes, and poor maintenance are contributing factors, the pattern clearly shows that the overdependence on aging, Chinese-made aircraft poses a significant and ongoing threat — one that the government refuses to confront.

Who Gains, Who Loses?

The question must be asked: who truly benefits from Bangladesh’s growing dependence on Chinese defense contractors? It is certainly not the average Bangladeshi. Kids who perished in the Uttara tragedy gained nothing from this relationship. Nor did the pilots who have died in numerous crashes over the past decade. 

So, who is steering this perilous alliance with Beijing? Under the Yunus-led interim government — which came to power pledging reform, transparency, and public safety — the nation has been witnessing a deeper entanglement with China’s strategic ambitions. Rather than reevaluating past mistakes, the government appears intent on doubling down, forging ahead with plans to acquire 16 new JF-10C fighter jets despite the fatal crash of a Chinese F-7BGI aircraft in Dhaka.

This allegiance to China now goes far beyond military hardware. From highways and ports to nuclear projects and digital infrastructure, Beijing’s presence in Bangladesh has grown pervasive. And now, even the skies falling under its shadow. The nation has been witnessing a slow and quiet surrender of national autonomy. Every unchecked deal, every ignored warning, and every crash is a step further into dependency. It’s time to ask, with urgency and honesty: whose interest does this alliance really serve — and at what cost to Bangladesh’s future?

J-10C: Another Disaster in the Making?

Supporters of the China deal argue that Bangladesh cannot afford Western-made jets due to cost and political sensitivity. True, American or European jets cost more upfront. But what about maintenance, safety, reliability, and human cost? When one factor in the lives lost, the infrastructure damage, and the downtime after each crash, Chinese aircraft are anything but affordable.

Moreover, the 2013 global halt of F-7 production was a signal even Beijing itself accepted: these jets are past their prime. Yet, a decade later, the regime appears comfortable flying them — training young pilots on outdated technology while placing civilians at mortal risk.

Let’s be clear: the J 10-C aircraft now in the government’s shopping cart, is not a global success story. While Pakistan is the only other buyer, it’s important to note the geopolitical dynamics there. Pakistan’s embrace of the JF-10C is less about performance and more about strategic posturing against India, with limited choices given its isolation from Western arms markets.

There is little independent data on the real-world performance of the J-10C. It is an aircraft still untested in actual combat and battle-ready environments. It may have AESA radar, some modern avionics, and weapons capability — but Bangladesh is not a test lab for Beijing’s defense experiments. Nor should the regime allow it to become.

Strategic Autonomy or Strategic Servitude?

At the heart of this debate lies a larger question: what kind of foreign policy and defense strategy does Bangladesh want to pursue? A strategy that prioritizes genuine security, transparency, and national interest — or one that blindly follows the Beijing model of low-cost dependency?

Under Yunus, Bangladesh appears to be hurtling toward a defense doctrine defined not by merit but by convenience. The rationale goes something like this: “We already bought from China. So we must buy more to ensure compatibility.” That is not a doctrine. That is institutional laziness and geopolitical servitude.

What happened to strategic diversification? What happened to building indigenous capacity? What happened to investing in pilot training infrastructure, radar systems, and air traffic control modernization? Has the country reduced to another pawn in China’s global arms export game?

Lessons Ignored, Lives Lost

Each military aircraft crash in Bangladesh leaves more than just wreckage—it leaves behind shattered families, grieving communities, and a trail of unanswered questions. Time and again, the Bangladesh Air Force has promised investigations—this crash being the ninth in recent memory—but where are the findings? Where is the accountability? Have any faulty aircraft been permanently grounded? Have training systems been restructured? Or are we simply watching the same tragic cycle repeat itself, leading straight to yet another arms deal?

The tragedy was avoidable. Those children weren’t casualties of war; they were victims of policy failure. Their parents didn’t send them to school to become collateral damage due to a broken defense strategy. They were betrayed—not by chance, but by a system that values cheap procurement over public safety.

This moment demands more than sympathy—it demands decisive action. A rallying call has been growing that the government must immediately ground all F-7BGI aircraft to prevent another disaster. Transparency must replace secrecy by publishing all crash investigation reports from the past decade. An independent commission should be tasked with auditing the entire procurement process of the Air Force to uncover and correct systemic flaws.

Moreover, all military purchases from China should be suspended pending a rigorous safety review. The proposed JF-10C deal must not be rushed through bureaucracy—it requires thorough parliamentary scrutiny and public discourse to evaluate its real necessity and potential risks.

Instead of Chinese fighter jets, Bangladesh needs to adopt policies rooted in safety, decisions guided by reason, and leadership that values lives over loyalty to foreign defense suppliers. The time to change course is now—before another schoolyard becomes the next crash site, and before another mother is left to mourn a loss that could have been prevented.

Checkered Past: The Crash-Prone Legacy of the Chengdu J-7/F-7

The, also known in export markets as the F-7, has built a troubling legacy over the decades — one marked by repeated technical failures, in-flight malfunctions, and fatal crashes in several countries. Designed as a Chinese variant of the Soviet MiG-21, the J-7 was initially seen as a cost-effective solution for air forces with limited budgets. But its long record of safety issues tells a different story — one of increasing global concern about the aircraft’s reliability and airworthiness.

As recently as June 2025, a J-7 fighter jet operated by the Myanmar Air Force crashed under mysterious circumstances in Pale Township. While the exact cause remains under investigation, early reports suggest either a mid-air technical fault or the possibility of it being shot down during internal conflict. Regardless of the trigger, the crash once again drew attention to the jet’s questionable safety profile.

This incident follows a 2022 disaster in China, where a J-7 went down in a residential area in Xiangyang, Hubei Province. Though the pilot managed to eject in time, the crash caused significant property damage and reignited domestic debates about the continued use of aging aircraft models within the Chinese Air Force.

These incidents are far from isolated. Across Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia — where the F-7 remains in service — defense analysts have repeatedly raised concerns over its outdated design, limited maneuverability, and poor crash-survivability record. For many air forces, especially in developing countries, the J-7’s apparent affordability has come at a much higher human and operational cost.

As countries like Bangladesh consider expanding or replacing their Chinese jet fleets, the history of the J-7 should serve as a powerful cautionary tale — one written in debris, investigations, and too many preventable tragedies.

A Message to the Yunus Government

Headed by Yunus, the regime came to power amidst promises of change — not continuity of flawed defense deals. Yunus once spoke of building a “safe, secure, and just” Bangladesh. But buying more Chinese fighter jets after so many fatal crashes is not safe. It is betrayal. It is an insult to every family that has buried a pilot, a technician, or — now — a schoolchild. If the administration cannot uphold the basic principle of human security, then it has no right to speak of national security.

The crash at Milestone School is not just an aviation incident. It is a symbol of national negligence. And if the Yunus government goes ahead with the JF-10C purchase, it will go down in history not just as a buyer of jets — but as a government that placed cost above caution, and China above children.

Bangladesh deserves better skies — and better sense.

References 

About Dr. Anjuman A. Islam

Dr. Anjuman A. Islam is an engineer and researcher by training; currently working in a leadership role in the water and environment sector. She is also a political analyst with a sharp lens on unfolding events, known for connecting the dots and revealing the deeper dynamics behind the headlines.

View all posts by Dr. Anjuman A. Islam →

Get the Eurasia Review newsletter

Selected analysis, news, and opinion delivered by email.

Like what you read?

Please consider supporting Eurasia Review. Thank you for your consideration!

Dr. Anjuman A. Islam

Dr. Anjuman A. Islam is an engineer and researcher by training; currently working in a leadership role in the water and environment sector. She is also a political analyst with a sharp lens on unfolding events, known for connecting the dots and revealing the deeper dynamics behind the headlines.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *