Bangladesh and Pakistan have signalled a fresh push towards developing comprehensive defence cooperation, as senior military officials met in Rawalpindi to discuss avenues for collaboration across multiple sectors.
Lieutenant General Faizur Rahman, Quarter Master General of the Bangladesh Army, called on General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI, NI (M), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) of Pakistan Army, at the Joint Staff Headquarters on 22 August 2025. The visit, described as cordial and forward-looking, marks one of the most significant recent engagements between the two South Asian nations in the security domain.
During his stay, Lt Gen Rahman toured a series of Pakistan’s defence establishments, production facilities and strategic sites. These included state-owned arms factories, logistics and research institutions, as well as joint service training establishments. The exposure offered Bangladesh a close view of Pakistan’s defence industrial ecosystem and its self-reliance drive, built over decades under the Defence Production Division and organisations such as Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), and the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC).
Offers of Military Equipment and Technology Transfer
Pakistan has formally offered a range of military hardware and systems to Bangladesh, while also extending proposals for transfer of technology (ToT) to strengthen Bangladesh’s own growing defence industries. Though details remain under wraps, Pakistan’s catalogue for export traditionally includes small arms, armoured vehicles, artillery, communications equipment, and a growing portfolio of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and precision-guided munitions.
For Bangladesh, which has been seeking diversification of defence suppliers as part of the Forces Goal 2030 modernisation programme, the Pakistani overtures could prove attractive. In recent years, Dhaka has expanded ties with Türkiye, China, and Western suppliers to reduce reliance on single-source procurement. Pakistan’s willingness to share production expertise could help Bangladesh accelerate domestic manufacturing capacity in areas such as armoured vehicles, light weapons, and electronics integration.
Observers note that such collaboration would not only bring economic benefits but also contribute to supply chain resilience in an era of uncertain global geopolitics.
A Convergence on Security Concerns
Both sides emphasised that their renewed dialogue stems from shared regional security concerns. For Bangladesh, ensuring border stability, countering terrorism, and defending maritime and airspace sovereignty remain priorities. Pakistan, facing long-standing strategic pressures in South Asia, has likewise sought to expand partnerships that reinforce its own deterrence posture.
A joint statement following the meeting underscored the “commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation to address common security challenges.” While no formal agreements were announced, the tone suggests an intention to gradually institutionalise military-to-military ties that have historically remained modest.
Historical Context of Defence Relations
Defence cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan has remained limited since the 1971 Liberation War, owing to political sensitivities and the shadow of history. However, both countries have over the past decade engaged in incremental exchanges through multilateral platforms such as the United Nations peacekeeping framework, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international military exhibitions.
Military delegations from Bangladesh have periodically visited Pakistan’s training institutions, including the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad. Pakistan has also sent its officers to courses hosted by Bangladesh. Nonetheless, high-level reciprocal visits focusing on defence industry and strategic matters have been rare.
This latest development could signal a willingness to move beyond the historical baggage towards a pragmatic framework centred on present-day requirements.
Implications for Bangladesh’s Defence Industry
Bangladesh’s defence industries, led by Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF), Khulna Shipyard, and other state-owned enterprises, are in a period of gradual expansion. While significant progress has been made in small arms, munitions, and shipbuilding, gaps remain in areas such as advanced electronics, armoured platforms, and aerospace.
A partnership with Pakistan could provide Bangladesh with access to cost-effective production methodologies and joint research opportunities. For instance, Pakistan’s Heavy Industries Taxila has decades of experience in designing and upgrading armoured personnel carriers and main battle tanks. Its model of licence-production and local adaptation may resonate with Bangladesh’s goal of indigenisation. Similarly, collaboration in communications systems and UAV technology could supplement ongoing projects in Dhaka.
Analysts also note that Pakistan, having developed niche competencies under technology embargoes in the past, understands the challenges of building self-sufficiency. Bangladesh could leverage this know-how to avoid common pitfalls.
Broader Regional Repercussions
The growing warmth between Dhaka and Islamabad is being closely watched across South Asia. India, which maintains fraught relations with both countries, is likely to view any deepening of defence cooperation with suspicion. Bangladesh’s leadership, however, has consistently framed its defence diplomacy as interest-based and non-aligned, seeking the best options to secure its sovereignty.
For Pakistan, building stronger ties with Bangladesh helps expand its diplomatic bandwidth within the region and signals that its isolation is far from absolute. It also adds another dimension to Islamabad’s strategy of deepening links with Muslim-majority countries in Asia.
Looking Ahead
Although no breakthrough agreements were unveiled during Lt Gen Rahman’s visit, the symbolism of his engagements in Rawalpindi and across Pakistan’s defence facilities is significant. The overture suggests that Bangladesh is open to exploring new avenues of cooperation, provided they align with its strategic and industrial priorities.
The road to comprehensive defence ties will require careful navigation of sensitivities and an incremental, mutually beneficial approach. Joint training, officer exchanges, technology transfers, and collaborative production could form the building blocks of such a relationship.
In an era where geopolitical uncertainties are reshaping traditional alliances, the Dhaka–Islamabad defence dialogue demonstrates how nations in South Asia are recalibrating their options. Whether this engagement develops into a structured partnership remains to be seen, but the intent on both sides is clear: to explore common ground for cooperation in the pursuit of national security and industrial growth.
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. Holding a Master’s degree in International Relations and having worked with several policy think tanks and academic institutions, she offers nuanced insights into the security challenges shaping the subcontinent. Ayesha’s expertise lies in mapping military doctrines, border disputes, and regional cooperation frameworks, making her a key contributor to BDMilitary’s coverage of South Asian strategic affairs. She heads the Geopolitics & Diplomacy section at BDMilitary.
