Bangladesh is quietly emerging as a regional military power, steadily enhancing its capabilities while navigating a complex web of geopolitical pressures. Its defence strategy is characterised by a dual-track approach that blends Chinese affordability with the technological sophistication of Western platforms. This method is not simply about acquiring weapons; it reflects a broader strategic calculus aimed at preserving sovereignty, ensuring regional stability, and maximising operational flexibility. The dual-track policy allows Bangladesh to maintain credibility in deterrence, build a diversified technological base, and avoid over-reliance on any single supplier—essential in a region defined by shifting alliances and asymmetric threats.
Geopolitical Context
Bangladesh’s location in South Asia makes it uniquely exposed to a range of security dynamics. Sharing borders with India, a nuclear-armed power with large conventional forces, requires nuanced diplomacy and careful military planning. Simultaneously, the crisis in Myanmar, including ongoing civil war and insurgent activity, has direct implications for border security and internal stability. Cross-border refugee flows, arms trafficking, and potential spill over of militant groups underscore the persistent threats to national security. The Bay of Bengal, meanwhile, serves as both a strategic maritime corridor and a potential theatre of power projection, attracting attention from regional and extra-regional powers. In this environment, Bangladesh’s security policy is designed to be non-provocative yet robust, maintaining credible deterrence while reinforcing national resilience across multiple domains.
Dual-Track Defence Procurement
China has been Bangladesh’s principal defence partner for decades, offering a broad spectrum of affordable and politically accessible military systems. These include combat aircraft, artillery, tanks, and a rapidly expanding naval fleet featuring frigates, corvettes, and submarines. This partnership has allowed Bangladesh to modernise its forces cost-effectively while maintaining a predictable supply chain. However, Bangladesh has also deliberately pursued Western and European systems to complement Chinese platforms, creating a technologically diversified force. The Air Force’s acquisition of the Eurofighter Typhoon alongside the Chinese J‑10CE fighter exemplifies this strategy. European and American systems provide advanced avionics, precision targeting, and interoperability advantages, enabling Bangladesh to integrate cutting-edge capabilities without abandoning the affordability and operational familiarity provided by Chinese platforms. By balancing these acquisitions, Bangladesh not only hedges against political and logistical risks but also enhances its ability to operate across multiple domains effectively.
Rising Military Capability
Bangladesh’s military has evolved significantly over the past decade, demonstrating capability growth that exceeds its nominal economic and demographic ranking. According to Global Firepower’s 2025 index, Bangladesh ranks 35th globally, moving steadily upward from 40th in 2023. Additionally, it was placed 12th on the 2023 “Powers on the Rise” list, reflecting the rapid trajectory of its military modernisation. While such indices provide a useful snapshot, they tend to emphasise quantitative metrics like troop numbers, equipment counts, and logistical infrastructure, often overlooking qualitative factors such as readiness, defensive doctrine, and asymmetric operational advantages. Bangladesh’s strategy leverages these qualitative dimensions, emphasising territorial awareness, rapid-response capabilities, and maritime domain monitoring. Its growing naval capabilities, including submarines, frigates, and offshore patrol vessels, alongside a modernised air wing and professionalised ground forces, create a highly adaptable military posture. The integration of Chinese and Western systems enhances versatility, allowing Bangladesh to respond to multiple threat scenarios, from conventional border confrontations to maritime security challenges.
Strategic Significance
The strategic calculus underlying Bangladesh’s dual-track approach is as much political as it is military. Medium-sized nations in volatile regions must navigate a delicate balance between capability, autonomy, and regional diplomacy. By maintaining strong ties with China while simultaneously engaging Western powers, Bangladesh preserves operational independence and hedges against potential coercion or supply disruptions. This approach also signals to neighbours and global powers alike that Bangladesh is a responsible and capable actor, capable of defending its interests without seeking conflict. Furthermore, the strategic deployment of diversified systems across air, land, and naval domains enhances deterrence credibility, making it difficult for adversaries to predict or exploit vulnerabilities. Bangladesh’s methodical investment in modernisation, coupled with careful alignment of acquisitions and doctrine, exemplifies a sophisticated understanding of contemporary security dynamics in South Asia.
Remarks
Bangladesh’s defence posture demonstrates that military strength is more than raw numbers; it is a function of strategy, capability integration, and geopolitical acumen. While Global Firepower ranks Bangladesh among the top 35 conventional military powers globally, its real-world effectiveness likely surpasses these estimates. Through dual-track procurement, meticulous modernisation, and a defensive doctrine tailored to regional realities, Bangladesh is steadily building a force that surpasses many countries of comparable economic and demographic size. This military growth enhances national resilience, ensures credible deterrence, and positions Bangladesh as a pragmatic yet capable actor in South Asia’s complex geopolitical landscape. The country’s evolving defence strategy offers a model for medium-sized states seeking to navigate competing pressures while maximising security and strategic autonomy.
Ayesha Farid is a regional security specialist focusing on South Asia, with over a decade of experience analysing inter-state tensions, cross-border insurgency, and regional power dynamics. She has worked with leading policy think tanks and academic institutions, offering nuanced insights into the complex security challenges shaping the subcontinent. Ayesha’s expertise spans military doctrines, border disputes, and regional cooperation frameworks, making her a vital contributor to BDMilitary’s coverage of South Asian strategic affairs. She leads the Geopolitics & Diplomacy section at BDMilitary. Ayesha holds a dual master’s degree — a Master in International Relations from the IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs, Spain, and a Master of Public Policy from the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto, Canada — combining deep academic insight with practical policy expertise.
