Defense Update Bangladesh

Bangabandhu-1 satellite of Bangladesh is purely a commercial communication satellite manufactured by the Thales-Alenia Space. It was launched into the orbit by a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket. But some ruling party leaders-workers and online observers in Bangladesh says that it can be used for the military purposes. Here in this video I explained why it can’t be applied for military purposes!

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...

DGFI, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence of Bangladesh Armed Forces, is the prime counter-intelligence agency of the country. Established in 1972 & reformed in 1976 by the then President Major General Ziaur Rahman.  This agency has 12,000+ manpower mainly from the three armed forces of the country. Operating in 45 countries around the globe. DGFI has the primary tasks to collect intelligence related to the national security issues of Bangladesh. DGFI has been founded as the Directorate of Forces Intelligence (DFI) in 1972 in response to the hostile attitude of the neighboring armed forces. But it was not able to bring success because of minimum budget & lesser power. This agency plays a great role to safeguard country’s sovereignty besides another secret service, the National Security Intelligence (NSI).  Major General Ziaur Rahman transformed the agency when he became president of Bangladesh in 1976. Gave higher budget, needed power to op...

UN International Day of Peace is dedicated to those peacekeepers who are continuously giving their efforts to ensure peace and stability in the world’s most chaotic regions. Bangladesh Armed Forces serving in the United Nations Peace Keeping Operations for 30+ years. First, in 1988 observer groups of Bangladeshi military personnel was deployed in UNIMOG & UNTAG, respectively in Iraq and Namibia. And then, after these three decades more than 83 thousands personnel served in 54+ UNPKO missions in 40+ countries.  In this “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2018” UN thanked Bangladesh for their contribution in the UN PSOs. Currently more than 6 thousand Bangladeshi soldiers & officers from all branches of the armed forces are serving in the 11 UN Peace Support Operations in five countries.

Bangladesh participating in the United Nations Peace Support Operations since 1988. Along with the three Armed Forces of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Police also actively participating.  There are hundreds of such missions has been successfully completed. Currently almost 6000 soldiers & officers from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force are deployed in 11 UNPKO in 5 countries.

Bangladesh Army opens the door for women officers & soldiers in 2000. It was a great decision to empower capable Bangladeshi females who wants to be the part of the country’s defenders.  Currently there are many posts and ranks filled by the Bangladeshi women in the Bangladesh Army. This TVC encouraging many young women of Bangladesh to come to join the armed forces services.

Bangladesh Army Took Delivery of Cobra II LAV. Cobra is an Otokar development mainly for Turkish Land Forces. Turkey exported it to various other countries too. Latest advanced variant is the Cobra II which includes a variety of vehicles. Bangladesh Army bought Cobra I as well as Cobra II LAV version.  This light armored vehicles (LAVs) has been leased in the United Nations Peace Keeping Missions in Africa. BD Army’s Cobra II LAVs has fitted with a remote weapon station features a 12.7mm machine gun along with automatic grenade launcher. A short range SAM system or ATGMs can also be added in the rooftop of this combat vehicle.  Bangladesh Army ordered this vehicle as a commercial-off-the-shelf order to meet the urgent requirement. Initially 150-200 units has been bought to deploy in the UNPK missions. Later, more units will be ordered to equip the mechanized brigades.  Recently Bangladesh-Turkey defense relations growing than ever. Bangladesh buying milit...

Bangladesh working to develop Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs) to safeguard its sovereignty and peace in the region. Military sources claim that the project being proceeded with following all international regulations & laws. As a peace lover nation Bangladeshis has reputation to long serve in the United Nations Peace Keeping Missions abroad. But the Government of Bangladesh decided to have some deterrent power to maintain peace and stability of the country as well as in the region. Some recent regional incidents make Bangladesh Armed Forces to acquire such deterrence capabilities.  Still it is not known the name of the program or any other details about the weapons system. But it’s obvious that Bangladesh needs foreign assistances to make this project successful. The country don’t have any such industrial capabilities in public sector. So, the whole program being conducted under the BOF supervision. The exact range and payloads is completely secret. It’s a stron...

Laser and satellite guided munitions of the Bangladesh Air Force.  BAF aircrafts deployed mainly Russian & Chinese precision guided munitions (PGMs). PGMs are those aerial munitions which are guided by the laser, satellite & TV guidance systems. These guided munitions are mostly bought along with Russian Mig-29 & Yak-130s, and from China those were came to the Bangladesh Air Force’s inventory with Chinese F-7BGI, K-8W Karakorum and A-5 Fantan fighter jets.  BAF has 250 kg KAB-250LG & 500 kg KAB-500L Russian laser and satellite guided weapons. While Chinese LS and LT series are in active service.  Precision Guided Munitions are used in ground/surface strikes. From low value to high value targets can be destroyed by these weapons. There are various category of PGMs depending on its guidance systems, weights, range etc. Normally these are LGB (Laser Guided Bomb), Satellite Guided Bomb, TV Guided Bomb and unguided free-fall bombs. Some ground stri...

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...