The Bangladesh Air Force is collaborating with China to establish a drone manufacturing plant in Bangladesh under a technology transfer agreement, with completion expected by December. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country’s defense industrial capabilities, including plans for an aircraft overhauling facility. The establishment of a specialized Defence Economic Zone aims to attract local and foreign investment for military equipment production. Air Force officials emphasized the potential for a skilled workforce through partnerships with universities, which could further drive growth in the aviation sector and simplify foreign investment acquisition, particularly for popular aircraft models in neighboring countries. This development underscores Bangladesh’s ambition to bolster its defense autonomy and technological self-reliance.