Wednesday, 10 December, 2025
Bangladesh is set to purchase Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Italy amid pressure from European ambassadors as the government backs down on buying Airbus passenger and cargo planes.
The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) finalised a Letter of Intent (LOI) on Tuesday with Italian company Leonardo SpA to buy the fighter jets. The LOI was signed at the Air Force Headquarters in the presence of Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division and representatives from the Italian side also attended the signing ceremony.
The Eurofighter is manufactured and marketed under the Eurofighter GmbH consortium of Leonardo SpA Italy, BAE Systems, and Airbus Defence and Space company. According to BAF, it is a step towards inducting modern multi-role combat aircraft into the frontline fleet of the Bangladesh Air Force.
A notice on the BAF Facebook page shared information about the signing of the LOI with Leonardo SpA. The notice also said this fighter jet is being purchased as a state-of-the-art multi-role combat aircraft for frontline warfare.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is considered one of Europe's most capable fighters, balancing modern technology, speed, and versatility. It is expected to remain in service for decades, with continuous upgrades planned. It stands among the world’s most capable multi-role fighter jets, combining European engineering excellence with a focus on speed, agility, and advanced situational awareness.
Italy operates a modern fleet of Typhoons built through a joint programme with the UK, Germany and Spain, giving the aircraft a strong technological base and a steady upgrade pipeline. The jet is known for its exceptional manoeuvrability, powered by twin engines and a canard–delta wing configuration that allows rapid changes in direction and high-speed performance.
Compared with other top-tier fighters—such as the French Rafale, US-made F-35, and the Swedish Gripen E—the Italian Typhoon sits in a distinctive position. It is generally faster and more agile than the F-35, though the F-35 surpasses it in stealth and deep-strike capability.
Against the Rafale, the Typhoon boasts superior raw speed and high-altitude performance, while the Rafale offers slightly broader mission flexibility in certain environments. When compared with the Gripen E, the Typhoon is larger, more powerful, and built for high-intensity missions, whereas the Gripen emphasises cost-efficiency and ease of operation.
Italy’s Typhoons are continuously enhanced with new sensors, defensive technology and communication systems, enabling them to remain competitive alongside these global leaders.
While newer fifth-generation jets emphasise stealth, the Eurofighter compensates with exceptional acceleration, advanced electronic systems, and strong air-policing and interception capabilities. As Italy works closely with other partner nations, the Typhoon remains a cornerstone of European airpower and one of the most respected fighters in service today.
The cost of Eurofighter Typhoon depends on the version and configuration — but experts generally estimate a unit price between US $90 million and US $130 million for a new jet.
Defence experts say Older or earlier “tranche” Typhoons tend toward the lower end (near $90 million), while newer, fully equipped models — with advanced avionics, radar, weapons-integration and support systems — approach or exceed $120–130 million.
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Bangladesh is set to purchase Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Italy amid pressure from European ambassadors as the government backs down on buying Airbus passenger and cargo planes.
The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) finalised a Letter of Intent (LOI) on Tuesday with Italian company Leonardo SpA to buy the fighter jets. The LOI was signed at the Air Force Headquarters in the presence of Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan and Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division and representatives from the Italian side also attended the signing ceremony.
The Eurofighter is manufactured and marketed under the Eurofighter GmbH consortium of Leonardo SpA Italy, BAE Systems, and Airbus Defence and Space company. According to BAF, it is a step towards inducting modern multi-role combat aircraft into the frontline fleet of the Bangladesh Air Force.
A notice on the BAF Facebook page shared information about the signing of the LOI with Leonardo SpA. The notice also said this fighter jet is being purchased as a state-of-the-art multi-role combat aircraft for frontline warfare.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is considered one of Europe's most capable fighters, balancing modern technology, speed, and versatility. It is expected to remain in service for decades, with continuous upgrades planned. It stands among the world’s most capable multi-role fighter jets, combining European engineering excellence with a focus on speed, agility, and advanced situational awareness.
Italy operates a modern fleet of Typhoons built through a joint programme with the UK, Germany and Spain, giving the aircraft a strong technological base and a steady upgrade pipeline. The jet is known for its exceptional manoeuvrability, powered by twin engines and a canard–delta wing configuration that allows rapid changes in direction and high-speed performance.
Compared with other top-tier fighters—such as the French Rafale, US-made F-35, and the Swedish Gripen E—the Italian Typhoon sits in a distinctive position. It is generally faster and more agile than the F-35, though the F-35 surpasses it in stealth and deep-strike capability.
Against the Rafale, the Typhoon boasts superior raw speed and high-altitude performance, while the Rafale offers slightly broader mission flexibility in certain environments. When compared with the Gripen E, the Typhoon is larger, more powerful, and built for high-intensity missions, whereas the Gripen emphasises cost-efficiency and ease of operation.
Italy’s Typhoons are continuously enhanced with new sensors, defensive technology and communication systems, enabling them to remain competitive alongside these global leaders.
While newer fifth-generation jets emphasise stealth, the Eurofighter compensates with exceptional acceleration, advanced electronic systems, and strong air-policing and interception capabilities. As Italy works closely with other partner nations, the Typhoon remains a cornerstone of European airpower and one of the most respected fighters in service today.
The cost of Eurofighter Typhoon depends on the version and configuration — but experts generally estimate a unit price between US $90 million and US $130 million for a new jet.
Defence experts say Older or earlier “tranche” Typhoons tend toward the lower end (near $90 million), while newer, fully equipped models — with advanced avionics, radar, weapons-integration and support systems — approach or exceed $120–130 million.
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