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Current modernisation effort

The BAF has an ongoing modernisation programme, Forces Goal 2030. To perform its increasing duties and responsibilities, the air force is being divided into two separate commands: Southern and Northern. A new airbase is being set up under Southern Command at Barishal with an emphasis on maritime security. Another airbase is under construction at Sylhet.

Delays on multi role combat aircraft procurement

On 2 March 2017, Sheikh Hasina led previous Bangladesh government floated a closed tender for eight fighters. The tender issued by Directorate General of Defence Purchase (DGDP) was controversial from the beginning as opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party accused government Awami League of using Indian funding to buy obsolete aircraft from Russia. MiG-35 was one of the contenders, along with Sukhoi Su-30 fighter with European origin AESA radar. The Bangladesh government allocated almost $400 million for the procurement. Russia has negotiated with Bangladesh for a year for the sale of MiG-35. Bangladesh government has terminated the tender due to funding shortage, order placement for Su-30 by Myanmar Air Force in 2018, and lack of interest by Russia's manufacturer to integrate European AESA radar into MIL-STD-1553 bus of the MiG-35 or the Su-30. Italian Elettronica SPA is also unable to work with any Russian company to fulfill Bangladesh's requirements due to international sanctions on Russia. In the third Bangladesh-UK strategic dialogue held in May 2019, the two countries desired to further strengthen the defence ties between them. The United Kingdom expressed its readiness to support Bangladesh with the procurement of high-calibre multi-role combat aircraft alongside other modernisation programmes.

In January 2020, Anisul Huq, the previous minister responsible for defence affairs in the parliament at that time, told the parliament that the process is ongoing to procure 16 multirole combat aircraft, eight attack helicopters, three VVIP helicopters, two air defence radar units, 24 primary trainer aircraft, two light aircraft, one K-8W simulator, four MRAP vehicles, one AW-119 simulator, 2 counter drone surveillance radar system and one mobile ATC tower and a life extension and upgrade of its MiG-29 aircraft. In 2021, Bangladesh Air Force requested the Bangladesh Government to earmark around 25,200-crores taka (2.5 billion euro) for 16 Western-origin multirole fighter jets. In order to sign the agreement and for the first installment council, the Bangladesh Air Force requested the allocation of 6,300-crores taka for the 2021-22 financial year. In 2021, Eurofighter World Magazine reported Bangladesh as a potential customer for the Eurofighter Typhoon. However, even after the announcement by the president about the procurement in parliament, the previous government did not order multirole combat aircraft or attack helicopters in the next three years. The government falls and Sheikh Hasina fled to India on 5 August 2024 due to the July Revolution in Bangladesh.

In 28 October 2024, Bangladesh new interium government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's press wing clarifies that not deal with France for Rafale fighter signed yet and not received any official request from France yet to revive the negotiations that stopped after the 2019's COVID-19 pandemic. No formal attempt has been made since then to review the arrangement. On January 15, 2025, a high-level defense delegation from Bangladesh visited Pakistan. On the visit Bangladesh showed interest to acquire JF-17 Block 3. Source claimed that Bangladesh may acquire up to 32 JF-17 Block 3.

Delays on attack helicopter procurment

In October 2019, US officials said Bangladesh requested to purchase advanced military equipment from the United States, including multi-role combat fighters, attack helicopters and surface-to-air missile systems. The US offered the Bangladesh Air Force two types of attack helicopters, and the BAF opted for the AH-64 Apache. In January 2020, Boeing confirmed that the AH-64E attack helicopter was down-selected by the BAF after a competitive bidding process. Any purchase of AH-64 Apache helicopters depends on Bangladesh and the United States signing Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) agreements. However, in late December 2021, it was reported that Bangladesh was now finalizing a government-to-government (G2G) deal with Russia to buy 8 Mi-28NEs with the necessary equipment, along with operations and maintenance training. As of 2025, similar to the multi role combat aircraft procurment delays, the Bangladesh Air Force unable to not signed any deal for the attack helicopter.

Modern radar procurment

On 29 October 2019, the Italian company Leonardo announced that it secured a contract to supply Kronos Land 3D AESA radar systems to the Bangladesh Air Force to provide air surveillance and detect and track targets in tactical environments. The number of radars ordered were not disclosed.

Trainer aircraft procurment

In June 2021, the Bangladesh Air Force revealed an order for 24 Grob G 120TP trainer aircraft. According to Masihuzzaman Serniabat, the previous COAS, the Bangladesh Air Force ordered 24 trainer aircraft from Grob. Under the deal, Grob Aircraft will also install a composite material (fiberglass reinforced plastic and carbon fibre composites) repair workshop and a propeller repair workshop in Bangladesh.

Transport aircraft procurment

Five ex-RAF 'short-bodied' C-130Js were ordered in two batches in 2018 and 2019 to replace Bangladesh's ageing, second-hand C-130Bs. The first aircraft was delivered in August 2019. They will be used to transport troops and equipment both home and abroad, as well as provide humanitarian assistance and support UN peacekeeping missions. The fourth aircraft landed at the Bangabandhu Airbase in Dhaka on 20 February 2023.