Bangladesh to build domestic drone industry
Deal with Chinese defence firm positions Bangladesh to localize UAV production, advance aerospace skills and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh has taken a significant step toward building a domestic defence manufacturing base after signing a government-to-government agreement with a Chinese company to establish a local production and assembly facility for unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.
The agreement, signed at the Bangladesh Air Force headquarters, will see the Bangladesh Air Force partner with China Electronics Technology Group Corporation International to jointly set up an advanced UAV manufacturing and assembly plant inside the country.
According to Bangladesh’s military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, the project includes provisions for technology transfer, capacity building, industrial skills development and long-term technical cooperation.
The initiative is being framed by the authorities as a move toward strategic self-reliance in a sector that has become central to modern defence planning and disaster management. ISPR said the facility is designed to enable the air force to eventually produce and maintain its own drone platforms, reducing dependence on overseas suppliers while developing domestic expertise.
In its initial phase, the plant will manufacture and assemble medium-altitude, low-endurance UAVs alongside vertical take-off and landing drones that do not require runways.
Such platforms are increasingly used for surveillance, reconnaissance and logistics, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure. The air force is also expected to develop indigenous UAV designs under the project, signaling a shift from procurement to production.
Beyond military applications, the drones are expected to be deployed for humanitarian assistance and disaster response — a critical consideration for Bangladesh, which is highly vulnerable to cyclones, floods and other climate-related emergencies.
Analysts note that locally produced UAVs could strengthen rapid response capabilities by improving aerial monitoring and delivery in hard-to-reach regions.
ISPR said the agreement aims to expand national capabilities to meet both domestic needs and potential international demand, while contributing to technological advancement through specialised training, knowledge exchange and the development of a skilled aerospace workforce.
The emphasis on industrial skills suggests the project could have spillover effects beyond defence, supporting Bangladesh’s broader push to move up the manufacturing value chain.
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