Bangladesh, a long-standing customer of Chinese military hardware, has formally complained to Beijing about defective components and technical issues plaguing its imported defense systems.
The Bangladesh military has recently accused Chinese companies of providing faulty spare parts for corvettes, petrol crafts, and onshore patrol vehicles, citing manufacturing defects and technical challenges.
These complaints extend to the Bangladesh Air Force, which has reported technical problems with Chinese-made F-7 fighter jets, short-range air defense systems, and difficulties firing ammunition from Chinese-made K-8W aircraft.
Additionally, airborne interception radars and radars on fighter aircraft supplied by China have reportedly failed to meet accuracy standards.
The Bangladesh Army has also encountered difficulties with Main Battle Tanks (MBT 2000) imported from China's North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), as NORINCO struggles to provide necessary parts for repair and maintenance.
The Bangladesh Navy has faced similar challenges, with two Chinese-made frigates experiencing multiple defects soon after arrival. Chinese companies reportedly demanded additional payments to rectify these issues.
This is not the first time Bangladesh has encountered problems with Chinese military equipment. A decade ago, the country purchased two refurbished Ming-class submarines from China, only to later discover they were obsolete.
In another instance, the Bangladesh Navy informed China Vanguard Industry Co. Ltd. (CVIC) of problems with the C704 system on warship 'BNS Nirmul,' but the company only agreed to an upgrade at an additional cost.
Bangladesh has also opted to replace 36 out of 45 Chinese-made Multi Launch Rocket System (MLRS) units with Turkish-made alternatives.
Bangladesh is not alone in facing issues with Chinese military hardware. Other countries, including Myanmar, have also reported problems with Chinese fighter jets.
Experts on the Chinese defense industry argue that Beijing lacks the expertise to produce highly sophisticated military equipment and relies on outdated technology copied from the West.
Despite these concerns, developing countries often purchase Chinese weapons due to their lower cost compared to Western alternatives. China sells arms through state-run export organizations such as the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), NORINCO, and CVIC.
