According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute ) arms trade database, in 2021, China has delivered 44 VT5 light tanks to Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Army is already equipped with Chinese tanks, its navy has Chinese frigates and missile boats and the Bangladesh Air Force flies Chinese fighter jets. In 2002, China and Bangladesh signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement which covers military training and defense production. In 2006, a Chinese report to the United Nations revealed that Dhaka is emerging as a major buyer of Chinese-made weapons. China sold 65 large-caliber artillery systems, 16 combat aircraft, and 114 missile and related equipment to Bangladesh in 2006. Bangladesh also bought roughly 200 small arms and regular artillery pieces from China.