Dhaka : China’s military exports, initially perceived as state-of-the-art, have increasingly been criticized for being faulty and defective, particularly by South Asian importing countries. Bangladesh, one of China's closest military partners in the region, has been significantly affected by these issues, leading to growing mistrust and straining the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Over the past decade, China has transitioned from being an importer to a major exporter of military hardware. Between 2010 and 2020, China ranked fifth globally in arms exports, trailing only the United States, Russia, France, and Germany. Much of China’s military sales have been directed toward neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar.

From 2010 to 2020, Bangladesh acquired $2.6 billion TIV worth of Chinese weapons, accounting for 73.6% of its foreign military acquisitions during this period. Beijing facilitated these purchases through favorable financing, including the discounted transfer of two Type-035G Ming-class submarines. Additionally, since 2006, Bangladesh has sourced the majority of its small arms from China, totaling over 16,000 rifles and 4,100 pistols.

However, reports from Dhaka indicate that the quality of Chinese military equipment has been subpar. Trainer aircraft and air defense systems developed defects, and the naval frigates supplied by China have faced scrutiny for their quality. In recent years, Bangladesh has acquired various military hardware from China, including corvettes, naval guns, anti-ship missiles, and surface-to-air missile systems, many of which have shown defects.

These issues have significant implications for China-Bangladesh military cooperation. The defective equipment has not only undermined the trust and confidence in the bilateral defense partnership but also raised concerns about the reliability of Chinese military technology and its support for Bangladesh's defense capabilities.

In a 2018 deal, China agreed to deliver trainer jets to Bangladesh. However, recent reports have indicated that these jets have developed snags, further delaying the transfer. To address these issues, Bangladesh should consider several strategic steps. Similar to Thailand's approach in leveraging its purchasing power to secure better deals, Dhaka should negotiate for repairs or replacements of faulty equipment and demand greater transparency and accountability in future defense procurement agreements.

Additionally, Bangladesh should explore diversifying its sources of military hardware, considering alternatives from countries such as India, the United States, and European nations. This diversification would help meet its defense needs and reduce reliance on Chinese military technology.

While China has established itself as a significant global arms exporter, incidents of defective equipment have cast doubt on the quality control and reliability of its military exports. Importing countries should collectively seek accountability and compensation from Beijing for the losses incurred, ensuring that future defense procurements meet the necessary standards of quality and reliability.