Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman’s recent visit to the Lalmonirhat airbase to personally review the progress of a massive under-construction hangar, believed to be intended for parking fighter aircraft, has drawn India’s attention, a senior officer from the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) confirmed.
The development has drawn the attention of Indian security and intelligence agencies, which are closely monitoring activities near the sensitive Bangladesh-India border.
According to sources in the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), the new hangar, located near the western periphery of the airbase in Haribhanga village under Mahendranagar Union, Lalmonirhat, supports earlier speculation that the base may soon host fighter aircraft to replace the country’s aging fleet of J-7 planes. The airbase lies less than 20 kilometres from the India-Bangladesh border, adjacent to West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district, and is strategically positioned close to India’s narrow Siliguri Corridor, known as the “Chicken’s Neck.”
Spread over 1,166 acres, the Lalmonirhat airbase features a 4-km-long runway and dates back to 1931. It was used by Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War but remained largely abandoned for decades thereafter.
Bangladesh Army’s Directorate of Military Operations official, Brigadier (now Major General) Mohammad Nazim-ud-Daula, had stated in May 2025 that the airbase was being revived to “support national needs, including the Aviation and Aerospace University.” He also clarified that there was “no information about Chinese involvement” and assured that “no foreign entity will be allowed to operate it in a way that harms our security or national interest.”
Also read: Delhi alarmed as Bangladesh, China eye airbase near Siliguri corridor
General Zaman’s inspection of both the Lalmonirhat and Thakurgaon airbases comes amid reports that the Bangladesh Air Force is close to finalising a 2.2 billion USD deal to acquire at least 20 Chinese-made J-10CE fighter aircraft. The BAF is also reportedly exploring the acquisition of 16 JF-17 Block III fighter jets, jointly developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, which are expected to be based at the Cox’s Bazar airbase. It remains unclear whether Pakistan or China will serve as the direct supplier for these aircraft.
Sources in the intelligence agencies said that the hangar under construction at Lalmonirhat is large enough to accommodate 10–12 fighter aircraft. Work on the structure, which began around six months ago, is currently focused on completing the roof. A new concrete boundary wall is expected to be built next to secure the facility.
Meanwhile, a perimeter wall has already been constructed around the Thakurgaon airbase, which spans about 550 acres and includes an unused 1-km-long runway.
While earlier reports speculated that China might be involved in reviving the Lalmonirhat airbase, there is currently no evidence to support those claims. However, Indian defence circles remain concerned that aircraft acquired from China or Pakistan could eventually be stationed at this or similar facilities in Bangladesh.
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