Forces Goal 2030
One of the primary objectives of the modernisation programme is to develop a three-dimensional force (land, air and sea) capable of conducting multi-platform warfare.
[2] After the 2024 Non-Cooperation Movement, which resulted in the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League regime, it is likely that the modernization program will be revised.
[3] The modernization program seeks to transform the Bangladesh Army into a technologically advanced, multi-domain force by 2030, capable of conducting both defensive and offensive operations.
In 2017, the Army began the establishment of a Riverine Engineer Battalion, which will be stationed at the newly constructed Mithamoine Cantonment at Kishorganj.
In 2022, the Bangladesh Army procured an undisclosed number of ALCOTAN-AT (M2) and ALCOTAN-BIV (M2) anti-tank guided missiles along with portable VOSEL (M2) firing control units from Spain.
[13] A total of 36 units of WS-22 Guided Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems have been added to the Bangladesh Army inventory since 2014.
[20] To support accurate artillery firing, the Bangladesh Army has procured 36 Bramor C4EYE battlefield reconnaissance UAVs from Slovenia in 2017.
At the end of 2022, Thales delivered two units of Ground Master 400 long-range portable air defence radar systems to the Bangladesh Army.
[2][failed verification] In August 2020, the army floated a tender for the procurement of medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM).
In October 2022, Vard Maritime Inc., a group of Fincantieri and KSL signed a contract to jointly build landing craft, a long-term multi-stage program.
[38] In a ceremony on 27 October 2021, the Prime Minister discussed the ongoing modernization plan of the Bangladesh Army and its upcoming equipment.
[40] Due to the importance of Bangladesh's vast maritime area of 118,813 square kilometers, high dependence of the country's economy on maritime resources, and the geopolitical importance of the Indian Ocean, the Bangladesh Navy was given significant priority in the modernization program.
The program aims to transform the Bangladesh Navy into a modern, well-equipped, three-dimensional force capable of conducting multi-domain operations.
[42] Under the modernization, indigenous shipyards have made significant strides in enhancing naval shipbuilding capabilities.
Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, ownership of which was transferred to the Navy in 2015, has been tasked with constructing six 2,000-tonne offshore patrol vessels and six multirole guided missile frigates.
The Bangladesh Navy has operated a submarine base, named BNS Sheikh Hasina, at Pekua in Cox's Bazar.
[46] The construction works of a fleet headquarters at the Sandwip channel of Chattogram, with ship berthing facilities, is also ongoing.
To efficiently perform increasingly challenging duties and responsibilities, the Air Force is being divided into two separate commands, Southern and Northern.
[51][52] Bangladesh signed a government-to-government contract with the United Kingdom for the supply of five off-the-shelf C-130J aircraft that formerly served with the Royal Air Force.
[13] A contract was signed for procuring 6 Kronos Land AESA 3D MGFR radar systems from Leonardo S.p.A.,[13][62] to be capable of providing security to the entire country.
With the deal, Leonardo will also supply communications equipment, technical support, spare parts and a comprehensive training programme for Bangladeshi Air Force personnel with modules in Italy.
In December 2017, the Bangladesh Air Force floated a tender for the procurement of an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) system.
The system will consist of 3-4 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) and a ground control station (GCS).
[13] In October 2019, the Bangladesh Air Force was offered two types of attack helicopters, and selected the Boeing AH-64 Apache, pending government approval.
[70] To sign the agreement and for the first installment council, the Bangladesh government set aside an allocation of 6,300 crores taka (620m euro) in the 2021-22 financial year.
[71] The Bangladesh Air Force will reportedly procure Eurofighter Typhoon MRCAs from Leonardo Italy with MRO and other facilities, except for the armaments packages.
[72] Germany had previously ordered 38 Tranche 4 Eurofighters as a launch customer at a cost of 5.4 billion euros in late 2020.
[73] According to Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space, "The new Tranche 4 Eurofighter is currently the most modern European-built combat aircraft with a service life well beyond 2060.
[75] Plans and procedures for the procurement of 16 Western-origin multirole fighter jets were established after the cancellation of the orders of 8 to 12 Russian MRCA and 16 Yak-130s.
