Bangladesh Army pivots to CZ Bren 2 family to replace BD-08: trials, tech and what’s next

Reading Time: 6 minutes The Bangladesh Army has selected the CZ Bren 2 family, with full transfer-of-technology (ToT) from the Czech Republic, to replace the indigenously-assembled BD-08 (Type 81-1). According to trial documentation reviewed by bdmilitary.com and industry officials familiar with the negotiations, the Army evaluated three configurations: Bren 2 (5.56×45 mm) with 11 in barrel, Bren 2 (7.62×39 mm) with 14 in barrel, and the Bren 2 BR (7.62×51 mm). Accordingly, 257 Bren 2 firearms in these three variants were imported for the trials. An initial tranche of ~25,000 rifles will be imported to cover near-term needs while the OEM installs a local production line. This decision supersedes a planned acquisition of Russia’s AK-15, discontinued after 2022 due to geopolitical complications affecting schedule, supply chain and export-control risk, per officials briefed on the process. Systems overview CZ Bren 2 (5.56×45 & 7.62×39)The Bren 2 is a short-stroke gas piston