Defense Update Bangladesh

Chittagong Dry Dock Limited will build heavy stealth frigates for the Bangladesh Navy. CDDL or Chittagong Dry Dock Ltd currently owned by the Bangladesh Navy (BN) established as a complementary to the Chittagong Port Authority under Bangladesh Steel & Engineering Corporation. It was intended to maintenance and repair Bangladeshi flagships & those commercial cargo & container vessels touches Chittagong Port.  In 2015 Government of Bangladesh handed over the CDDL to the BN. After that the navy planned to build heavy frigates, large container vessels and alike. Already CDDL built a cargo vessel. In order to commence building of Bangladesh Navy’s heavy frigate which would be a Chinese design, BN teamed up with Chinese Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co. (CSOC).  Bangladesh Navy slated to have 12-14 such heavy frigates within 2030. And, most importantly they want to build them at home which would commercially-offset a certain portion of money will...

Khulna Shipyard (KSY) Limited was established in 1957 and currently being operated by the Bangladesh Navy. KSY Ltd has built the Durgam-class ASW large patrol craft for BN. After establishment, KSY built and repaired many cargo & container vessels. It also manufacture various steel structures for industry and infrastructure building.  This shipyard was handed over to the Bangladesh Navy in 1999 with a large sum of debt. After 2008 KSY paid all its debt and started making profit. Now it is the largest tax payer in the Khulna divisional region. Products of the KSY Ltd are various cargo vessels, container vessels, firefighting boats, tugboats, submarine tugs, harbor patrolling boats, Padma-class patrol boats, Durgam-class ASW LPCs, floating cranes, tankers, supply ships and some more.  In the coming years, Khulna Shipyard, slated to build stealth corvette for Navy. For this purposes modern facilities are being installed on the yard area. Bangladesh needs to enhance i...

Dockyard & Engineering Works Limited or DEW Ltd is a Bangladeshi shipbuilding industry operating by the Bangladesh Navy, located in Narayanganj. This shipyard builds inshore patrol vessels, harbor patrol crafts, coast guard patrol crafts, landing craft utility, landing craft tanks, medium cargo vessels and high-speed boats. DEW Ltd targeted to build 6,000 DWT ship within 2020. This is the oldest shipyard in Bangladesh, established in 1922. Various types naval ships being built in DEW and in future some larger warships also will built as per the plan.  Bangladesh needs to boost its naval warship building capabilities throughout all the shipbuilding industries the country has. Bangladesh have to protect vast amount of territorial sea waters in the Bay of Bengal. Various types of natural resources like marine fisheries, hydrocarbons may can be a turning point for Bangladesh’s economy. Fishermen from neighboring countries trying steal our fish resources in the area, il...

Bangladesh has very little defense equipment manufacturing facilities. Which have, all are state owned. Among them Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF) is the biggest one and established in 1979 with the help China.  After that, in the 80s the facility has been renovated and expanded. Now, BOF manufacturing various kind of small weapons. BD-08 assault rifle, BD-14 general purpose machine guns, Heckler & Koch G3 Battle Rifle, Arges BD-84 hand grenades, FN-16 MANPADS and some others. Most of the ammunitions needed for the armed forces and police forces of Bangladesh are being produced in the Bangladesh Ordnance Factories. Within next year BOF will start to manufacture rocket or projectiles for the home made Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems of Bangladesh Army. Another defense vehicle manufacturing company Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) will assemble the launcher vehicles for the GMLRS.  Bangladesh Ordnance Factories contributing to the country’s secu...

Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory or BMTF is an automobile manufacturing/assembly industry managed by the Bangladesh Army. This state owned commercial venture is primarily tasked to produce various types of military vehicles for Bangladesh Armed Forces. Troop trucks, staff cars, jeeps etc. are being assembled in BMTF. It’s also manufacturing some soldiers’ gears and other materials for Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Air Force and Bangladesh Navy.  BMTF setting up a plant to produce Armored Personnel Carriers and launcher vehicles for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems that will be assembled in Bangladesh. For this negotiation is ongoing with China Sinotruck and Taian Special Vehicle Company Ltd. BMTF is the largest venture in Bangladesh in its category. It also produces various agricultural equipment, energy saving lamps, leather items for soldiers and steel structures. Bangladesh needs to build her own military industries rapidly to cope up with the security threat...

Bangladesh has a little industrial base for defense equipment manufacturing and assembly. It comprises mostly land systems, small arms, and naval ships. An aviation center has been established but not going further than overhauling, maintenance and repair.  Bangladesh Ordnance Factories, Bangladesh Machine Tools Factories, Dockyard & Engineering Works Limited, Khulna Shipyard Limited, Chittagong Dry Dock Limited and Banghabandhu Aeronautical Center are the only entities in the defense sector.  Government of Bangladesh trying to expand this sector to create more jobs, saving hard earned foreign currencies and ultimately to enhance armed forces’ capabilities to maintain national security.

Bangladesh Navy Anirban 2017 has been published.  Video Credit: Bangladesh Navy

Bangladesh Army attack helicopter procurement, Leonardo A129 is an option. Italian defense equipment manufacturer Leonardo Company offered it A129 International attack helicopter to Bangladesh Army. Attack helicopters are modern army’s aerial warfare backbone and Leonardo’s A129 combat helicopter is one of the most sophisticated chopper in its class.  It is a combat proven platform. A129 also dubbed as AW129, sometimes. Italian Army operating 59 of them and deployed worldwide operations. This attack helo can operate in hot desert conditions, cold weather, and tropical humid weather. If Bangladesh Army go for A129 then they can get logistics, training, maintenance and spare supports easily.

Bangladesh Army (BA) Going to Manufacture Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) in Home. Bangladesh setting up an armored personnel carrier (APC) manufacturing plant inside the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) premises in Gazipur district near Dhaka. Not only army but also other armed forces, Bangladesh Police, Border Huard Bangladesh, and few other paramilitary needs such armored cars to operate swiftly.  Recently Armed Forces of Bangladesh taking initiatives to manufacture most of the country’s needed military equipment and gears in home. APC factory is one of those efforts. BMTF has sufficient resources and skilled manpower to execute such big military vehicle manufacturing process. Previously Bangladesh upgraded their Type-59 tanks with some foreign technical help. Bangladesh Army also producing various types of military trucks and cars.  In another effort, BD Army setting up an overhauling plant for russian built “BTR” series armored personnel carriers. C...

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Not Buying Su-30SME Under MRCA Program. Bangladesh Air Force’s Su-30SME acquisition plagued due to high price asking by Moscow. Rather Russia wants Bangladesh to buy its new Mig-35D. But BAF is not willing to buy any more Migs. UAC asked $60m for each Su-30SME whereas they offering it to Phillipines Air Force in a $45m price tags.  Bangladesh Air Force currently lacks in needed air power due to aging fleet of F-7BG and some of 8 Mig-29s. Country needs 2-3 more squadrons of 4++ generation fighter jets to maintain air power balance. Recent acquisition of BAF comprises only some trainer aircrafts and utility helicopters. No new advanced fighter jet has been bought in near future.  Initially Bangladesh sought for Su-35S, that’s too, slowed regarding high-price. In the meantime China offered Bangladesh a $1b loan to buy chinese military aircrafts includes J-10B 4.5th generation fighetr aircraft. BAF also needs J-10B like jet but it can’t c...

Bangladesh Air Force needs to plan about fifth generation stealth fighter jets right now. Many countries around the world going next-generation in aerial warfare. Although, only U.S Air Force and People’s Liberation Army Air Force currently has operational 5th generation fighter aircrafts, almost a dozen of country will have deployed stealth jets within 2025. Bangladesh Air Force must have a long-term modernization planning, which should include fifth generation fighter aircraft. In the near future BAF can go for Chinese Shenyang developed J-31 stealth fighter jet which also known as FC-31 (export designation). Another viable option if Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)’s developing TF-X next generation fighter jet. Introduction of the jet will be in 2023 timeframe. Currently prototype building phase going on in collaboration with British BAE Systems. Russian Sukhoi Su-57 (PAK FA) can also be a BAF’s choice, and it’s going to be operational within next 2019. Moscow will pu...

Reportedly Bangladesh Navy (BN) going to buy Airbus C295 Armed Maritime Patrol Aircraft for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) missions. Previously Bangladesh Army bought one C295W tactical transport version. Recently published news showed that BN has selected Leonardo SeaSpray AESA for its two upcoming Dornier Do-228NG MPAs.  C295 AMPA is a multirole ASW and maritime surveillance aircraft builds Airbus Defense & Space. Spanish CASA (now is a part of Airbus) manufactures it. This armed maritime aircraft has six hardpoints under its wing, which can carry anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. C295 can engage both surface warships and submarines. It has a pretty good range to monitor the seas. How many Bangladesh Navy would buy it’s not clear now.  Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Navy both are working jointly to make sure the security of the country’s coastal areas from any aggressor’s misadventures. Especially from burma. Burma’s recent airspace...

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Needs A Fleet of Efficient Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to Reduce Pressure on Manned Combat Aircraft. BAF doesn’t operate any capable unmanned aerial system (UAS) or UAVs right now. But, to ensure force’s capabilities it’s now time to acquire some drones to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the regions where manned aircraft operations costs unnecessarily. There are handful options for Bangladesh regarding UAV/UCAVs. First of all China can be the most predictable source as several Chinese surveillance and armed UAVs are emerged as capable system. Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group recently unveiled Wing Loong II Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) which is the successor of the previous version Wing Loong I. on the other side China Aerospace Science and Industries Corporation (CASIC) also offering it’s new version of the RainBow series armed drones named CH-5, which is the most powerful & capable Chinese combat UAV. Besides these ...

Special Warfare Diving And Salvage (SWADS) is the elite commando unit of Bangladesh Navy. SWADS receives various training from USA, South Korea & Turkey. SWADS operating dozens of special warfare small arms, assault rifles, sniper weapons systems, grenade launchers etc. Every SWADS member have to get trained almost all those weapons.  Here is a short list of the weapons SWADS members operating currently: Colt M4A1 SOPMOD: primary weapon of SWADS Daewoo K2 assault rifle Type 56 assault rifle BD-08 assault rifle M24 Sniper Weapon System Heckler & Koch HK416 Squad automatic weapon M16 assault rifle M203 grenade launcher MK 19 automatic grenade launcher Heckler & Koch MP5 9mm submachine gun Close Quarter Battle Receiver (CQBR) Carbine, used by SEAL operatives only; Accuracy International AS50 Sniper Weapon System Besides these there are some other arms too SWADS can operate if needed. Bangladesh Navy (BN) SWADS ...

Bangladesh Navy started to form its special warfare team SWADS (Special Warfare Diving And Salvage) in later of the last decade with the direct help of U.S. Navy SEALs. The then U.S. Ambassador Dan Mozena actively helped a lot. Formation and training process started in 2008 by the USN SEALs and in 2009 raising of the SWADS team has been announced with 150 naval commandos and 200 divers. Since then the SWADS teams growing. Screening and training processes are as US Navy Naval Special Warfare Center’s guidelines. Besides United States, Turkey & South Korea also assisting Bangladesh Navy in training of SWADS members. SWADS’ main tasks are special reconnaissance, direct action, foreign internal defense & unconventional warfare; meanwhile anti-piracy, counter insurgency, counter narcotics, counter terrorism. Covert insertions/extractions. Hostage rescue and personnel recovery. Hydro-graphic reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, raid & underwater demolition jobs also...

Bangladesh Army choose chinese A-300 guided multiple launch rocket system to buy as the BA needs a new long-range rocket artillery system. For the contract China offered its various models but Bangladesh may only buy China ALIT A-300 GMLRS which is a 300mm rocket artillery system with 290km range.  A-300 GMLRS is very much capable of hitting targets well behind the enemy lines of upto 290km. it is mainly designed to hit large area targets. Bridges, armored corps or large concentration of enemy troops, artillery and air defense batteries, command posts, ammunition depot and other military support facilities.  Recently burmese army’s aggressive maneuvers near Bangladesh’s border in the southern parts of the country rattled the military planners in Dhaka. Bangladesh resorting to increase her artillery firepower to a new height with massiveness. Due to the hilly terrain of the Cox’s Bazaar, Bandarban and Teknaf districts Bangladesh Army needs very nimble, shoot & ...

Bangladesh Army going to buy Chinese C-802A land based anti-ship missile system to secure mainland. Senabahini sought to work together with Bangladesh Navy to protect the country and her interests. Bangladesh Army always keeping country’s security top of all concerns. Bangladesh Navy already deployed C-802 AShMs in various surface warships. Besides C-802 Bangladesh also has an inventory of C-704 and Otomat Mk.II anti-ship missiles. For anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare Bangladesh Navy will get two Leonardo AW159 Wildcat ASW/ASuW helicopters end of this year and hoping to order more 10 examples. Recent Bangladeshi airspace violations by burmese army provokes anger among the nation but government and higher military leadership restrained from retaliation regarding stability causes in the region. Bangladesh is a peace loving country and don’t want war, though, Army wants to be fully prepared for any future situation. Primary threats could be burmese navy’s surface ships f...

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is the first line of border patrolling force of Bangladesh. They’re trained and organized by Bangladesh Army. BGB Bangladesh buying two Mi-17 series helicopters from Russia.  Recently government decided to upgrade the force into a three-dimension form to surveillance properly the country’s border areas. Two are ordered and total 10 helicopters will be bought within years. For handling these aircrafts four aviation wings being established across the country. When, the first aviation wing has been raised in Baitul Ijjat, Bandarban. Construction works for 70 heli-support border observation posts are going on in the southern districts of Bandarban, Rangamati, Cox’s Bazaar and Teknaf.  Initially air Force pilots will fly them, meanwhile BGB will have their own pilots trained. Currently Bangladesh Air Force given one of BGB’s Bell-212 chopper back. Aircrafts are very effective way to patrol borders.  Bangladesh need to stop illegal...