Bangladesh Armed Forces: Modernisation Path to 2040

A structured vision to enhance Bangladesh’s military capabilities by 2040 — across firepower, force projection, domestic defence industry, and strategic alliances.

🔥 1. Enhancement of Firepower

A. Ground Forces

• Mechanisation & Modern Brigades:
  • Expand wheeled mechanised brigades using platforms like Cobra II and BTR-80M.
  • Form combined arms manoeuvre formations modelled after Israeli or PLA structures.
• Artillery Modernisation:
  • Procure precision-guided systems:
    • TRG-230/300 GMLRS, WS-2D, or AR3 MLRS
    • 155mm self-propelled howitzers (e.g., PCL-181 or T-155 Fırtına II)
  • Integrate loitering munitions and mini-UAVs for real-time target acquisition.
• Armour Upgrades:
  • Replace ageing Type 59G MBTs with modern platforms such as the VT-4 or K2 Black Panther.
• Air Defence Network:
  • Develop a layered, mobile air defence umbrella:
    • Short-range: QW-18G, CS/AA3
    • Medium-range: LY-80, Hisar-O
    • Long-range: Explore joint development of FD-2000B or Hisar-U class systems.
• Anti-Tank Capability:
  • Distribute HJ-12, Karaok or equivalent fire-and-forget ATGMs to infantry units at scale.

B. Naval Forces

• Submarine Expansion:
  • Grow fleet to at least six modern diesel-electric submarines with AIP capability.
• Surface Combatants:
  • Build frigates and corvettes under technology transfer (ToT) from Turkey (MILGEM), China (Type 054A/P), or similar.
• Anti-Ship Missiles:
  • Deploy Atmaca, CM-802AKG, or YJ-83 across naval, coastal, and airborne platforms.
• Naval Aviation:
  • Procure ASW helicopters and naval UAVs with radar and torpedo carriage capabilities.
• Strategic Bases:
  • Expand Chattogram and Mongla, develop hardened forward bases near Cox’s Bazar and St. Martin’s Island.

C. Air Power

• Multirole Fighters:
  • Acquire 48–60 fourth-plus or fifth-generation fighters by 2040:
    • Flagships: J-10CE, later possibly TF-X or FC-31.
• Unmanned Aerial Systems:
  • Operate 60–100 Bayraktar Akinci-class UCAVs for deep-strike and ISR missions.
• Force Multipliers:
  • AEW&C: ZDK-03, KJ-500, or indigenous AEW platforms.
  • Aerial Refuelling: Develop capacity using IL-78 or A330 MRTT class aircraft.
• Integrated Air Defence System (IADS):
  • Link all zones under a centralised, radar-networked IADS for early warning and interception.

🌍 2. Power Projection Capability

• Amphibious & Rapid Reaction Forces:
  • Raise marine-type and air-mobile brigades for riverine/coastal assault and overseas deployment.
• Strategic Airlift:
  • Expand airlift fleet with platforms like the Y-20, A400M, or upgraded C-130Js.
• Forward Operating Bases (FOBs):
  • Construct airstrips, fortified shelters, and dispersed logistics nodes in Sylhet, Barisal, Cox’s Bazar, and Rajshahi.
• Blue Water Naval Aspirations:
  • Develop logistics support vessels, underway replenishment, and command & control ships.

🏭 3. Indigenous Defence Industry

A. Domestic Production and ToT

• Joint Ventures with China, Turkey, Pakistan, South Korea for:
  • Infantry weapons, armoured vehicles, artillery, radar, missiles, UCAVs, and air defence systems.
• Naval Manufacturing:
  • Establish advanced shipyards in Khulna and Chattogram under modular ToT systems.
• Aircraft Maintenance & Assembly:
  • Begin with UAV assembly and MRO, scaling toward partial fighter manufacturing in the 2030s.
• Missile & Rocket Tech:
  • Co-produce SRBMs, ATGMs, GMLRS, and initiate long-term development of solid-fuel propulsion.

B. Defence R&D and Talent Development

• Create military R&D hubs with MIST, BUET, and public-private consortiums.
• Develop cyberwarfare, electronic warfare, and AI-based battlefield applications.

🤝 4. Strategic Alliances & Security Partnerships

A. Key Military Partnerships

• China: Long-term strategic alignment, full-spectrum military aid, joint development.
• Turkey: UAVs, electronics, naval systems, and doctrinal exchange.
• Pakistan: Operational experience sharing and joint drills.
• Indonesia & Malaysia: Regional maritime cooperation and joint amphibious training.
• Russia & Egypt: Air defence and naval weapons diversification.
• Gulf Nations: Defence investment, joint projects, and military base support (if politically viable).

B. Regional Influence Strategy

• Bay of Bengal Security Command: Create a multinational task force with friendly coastal states.
• Defence Diplomacy: Host and participate in military exercises with ASEAN, Africa, and Gulf partners.
• UN to Regional Stability Actor: Transition from a peacekeeping contributor to a regional force provider.

🧠 Visionary Concepts by 2040

• Cyber-EW Command: Establish elite digital operations units for electronic attack, jamming, spoofing, and cyber sabotage.
• Military Satellite Constellation:
  • Operationalise Bangladesh Satellite-2 for secure defence communications.
  • Launch additional EO or SAR reconnaissance satellites for real-time ISR and targeting.
• Strategic Deterrence Architecture:
  • Explore dual-use missile development with regional-range capability under plausible deniability.
  • Retain conventional deterrent posture, but with depth and ambiguity.