Defense Update Bangladesh

Bangladesh Army has ten examples of U.S. made M113 armored personnel carrier. Those APCs are deployed in the U.N. Peace Keeping Missions.  Although, Bangladesh is the second biggest operator of the Russian BTR-80, some of its APCs are from other countries too. Likely, Turkish Otokar Kobra, U.S. FMC M113, Serbian MTLAB etc. Among them M113 is the legendary one. After the Vietnam War, M113 was deployed in the 95% conflicts worldwide. Bangladesh’s M113s are upgraded with most advanced sub-systems.  The number is very ignorable but it is important when those are deployed in the hot zones in the war affected African states for patrol duties by the Bangladeshi contingents. Its crew safety system is better and faster in terms of movement in the battle zones.

Bangladesh Armed Forces buys their equipment from dozens of countries. Among them China is the largest, and Russia is in the second position. Some other major suppliers of Bangladesh Military equipment are from Europe and North America. Just after the independence, Bangladesh sought help from friendly countries to equip her military. Among them, most Muslim countries gifted many defense hardware.  Until 1976 when President Ziaur Rahman came to power, China wasn’t Bangladesh’s ally as it was aligned with Pakistan. Zia sorted out that Bangladesh needs Chinese help in almost all sector to become a developed, self-sufficient country. Hence, he pursued a warm relation with Beijing. After that period China became major weapons supplier for the Bangladesh Armed Forces.  On the other hand Russia also remain a key military equipment supplier to Dhaka. As time passed, Bangladesh acquired defense equipment from many other countries. Currently Italy, Germany, France, UK, USA ...

Bangladesh Armed Forces is the second biggest customer of the Chinese military equipment. Most of the equipment of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Air Force and Bangladesh Navy is Chinese! Why? Well, after the independence of Bangladesh, it was a very weak nation in terms of economy & politics. Billions of dollars were donated from overseas donors to build a nation upon a ruin. But, pathetically, most of those money and assistance been engulfed by the leaders of the then Bangladesh Awami League and their family members.  As a direct result Bangladesh faced the worst famine of the 70s. People starved to death and humanity died. On the other hand, government wasn’t aware about the poor quality of equipment of Bangladesh Armed Forces.  Until 1976 Bangladesh Armed Forces was weak. President Ziaur Rahman took steps to modernize the forces. He visited China, build diplomatic relation with Beijing. And, sought help to upgrade Bangladesh’s military. Meanwhile, western...