Conceptual proposal for the Bangladesh Armed Forces
Headquarters: Jalalabad Cantonment, Sylhet
Other staging/forward bases: Shamshernagar Airbase (primary airbase), Barishal (South Central), Teknaf (South-East), Mongla (South-West), Syedpur (North)
Control: Armed Forces Division (AFD), led by a Major General (2-star) equivalent officer with subordinates from the Navy and Air Force.
The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) is a brigade-sized, tri-service formation designed to conduct high-value, time-sensitive, and multi-domain missions for the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh. Based in Sylhet, JSOC is capable of autonomous deployment across Bangladesh and regional theatres, with airborne, riverine, and mechanised capabilities. It is the premier strategic response force of Bangladesh.
Mission & Doctrine
Mission
To conduct strategic and joint special operations in support of national defence, including counter-terrorism, direct action, hybrid warfare, and precision strike operations in land, air, maritime, and riverine environments.
Doctrine
- Tri-service integration: Rapid joint tasking
- Air mobility: Assault helicopters, C-130J and C295W for rapid deployment
- Riverine warfare: Specialised in amphibious/deltaic terrain
- Armoured special ops: Use of LAVs, MRAPs, and BTR-80M APCs for heavy mobility in semi-permissive environments
- Precision anti-tank and urban combat: Equipped with modern guided AT systems
- Networked ISR and EW: TB2 UAVs, loitering munitions, SIGINT, cyber-enabled
- Independent sustainment: 30-day autonomous operation
Order of Battle (TOE)
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| JSOC HQ & JOC | Brigade-level tri-service command, with C4I integration |
| 3 × Special Forces Battalions | Army SF, Navy SEAL/UDT, and Airborne SF No. 41 Sqn (air-assault qualified) |
| Armoured Mobility Element | 12 × Cobra-I/II LAVs- 6 × MaxxPro Dash MRAPs- 24 × BTR-80M APCs |
| Aviation Squadron | 12 × Mi-171Sh- 4 × AW139 or Bell 212 (alt.) |
| Fixed-Wing Support | 4 × C-130J (BAF, rotational)- 2 × C295W (Army Aviation, paratroop/munitions) |
| UAV Detachment | 6–8 × TB2 Bayraktar UAVs with GCS |
| Loitering Munition Unit | 12–16 × Loitering Munitions (such as Switchblade 600) |
| Anti-Tank Company | Alcotan-100 M2 (Spain), PF-98 (China), Metis-M1 (Russia) |
| Artillery Battery | Boran 105mm Ultralight Howitzers (6 x guns) |
| Engineer Company | Combat engineers for demolitions, route clearing |
| Riverine Engineer Company | Amphibious and bridging engineers |
| Signals/Cyber Detachment | Secure communications, SIGINT, cyber ops |
| Medical & Logistics Co. | CASEVAC, mobile surgical teams, POL supply, workshop |
| Psychological Ops Team | Info warfare, local influence, electronic broadcasts |
| Intel & Recon Cell | HUMINT, SIGINT, IMINT, fusion with DGFI & NDS |
| Riverine Fleet (Type A–D) | Landing craft, troop carriers, LCVPs, and fast assault boats |
Anti-Tank Weapons
| System | Type | Range | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcotan-100 M2 | Shoulder-launched HEAT | ~600m | Urban/infantry use, reusable |
| PF-98 | Man-portable rocket | ~800m–1,800m | Heavy fire support |
| Metis-M1 | Wire-guided ATGM | ~2,000m | Long-range anti-armour capability |
Riverine Watercraft Fleet
| Type | Designation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Type A | LCT/LCU (Landing Craft Tank/Utility) | Heavy equipment, armoured vehicle ferrying |
| Type B | TCV (Troop-Carrying Vessel) | 200+ troops, cargo, riverine patrols |
| Type C | LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle/Personnel) | Light vehicle transport, HQ boats |
| Type D | Fast Assault Boats (Special Ops) | High-speed insertions, river patrols |
Strategic Deployment Capability
JSOC can deploy brigade-sized forces using:
- Airborne drops: Via C-130J and C295W
- Heliborne assault: Via Mi-171Sh, Bell 212, and AW139
- Riverine access: Amphibious operations through Types A–D crafts
- Ground insertion: LAVs, MRAPs, and BTR-80M APCs for protected mobility in semi-permissive zones
Example Brigade-Level Deployment
| Operation Type | Units Used | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Border Rapid Response | 1 SF Battalion + UAVs + AT + engineers | C-130J, Mi-171Sh, Cobra-I, PF-98 |
| Jungle/Countryside | 2 SF Battalions + MRAP + engineer + UAV | Mi-171Sh, TB2, MaxxPro, Alcotan-100 |
| Riverine Assault | 1 SF Battalion + Riverine engineers + LCTs + UAV | Type B & D boats, Metis-M1, Mi-171Sh |
| Urban/CT Response | Full brigade + fixed-wing lift + air defence | C-130J, Bell 212, UAV overwatch, MANPADS |
Logistics & Sustainment Breakdown
30-Day Deployment for 4,000 personnel
| Class | Item | Qty (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| I | Food & water | 720 tonnes |
| II | Clothing/tools/spares | 30 tonnes |
| III | Fuel (POL) | 390,000 litres (~320 tonnes) |
| IV | Construction material | 150 tonnes |
| V | Ammunition (varied) | 120 tonnes |
| VI | Hygiene/Misc | 15 tonnes |
| VII | End items, optics, sights | 20 tonnes |
| VIII | Medical supplies | 8 tonnes |
| IX | Spare parts for aircraft/vehicles | 30 tonnes |
| X | CIMIC support | Variable |
Transport Fleet
- Trucks/LCVs: 100+ (Army supply)
- Fuel bowsers: ~12
- Mobile medical teams: 6+ CASEVAC & FST teams
- Modular logistics nodes: For split deployment
Costing Overview (USD Estimate)
| Category | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| 12 × Mi-171Sh | ~$180 million |
| 4 × AW139 / Bell 212 | ~$60 million (AW139) / $28M (Bell 212) |
| 4 × C-130J (rotational) | $0 (already in BAF inventory) |
| 2 × C295W (Army Aviation) | ~$90 million |
| 6–8 × TB2 UAVs + GCS | ~$40–50 million |
| 12 × Cobra LAV (I/II mix) | ~$12–20 million |
| 6 × MaxxPro Dash MRAP | ~$9–12 million |
| 24 × BTR-80M APCs | ~$48 million |
| 12–16 × Loitering Munitions | ~$24–40 million (depending on type) |
| Boran 105mm Howitzers (6 guns) | ~$5–7 million |
| AT Systems (Alcotan, PF-98, Metis) | ~$7–10 million |
| Riverine Crafts (A–D) | ~$15–25 million |
| Signals/Cyber/Intel Equipment | ~$8–12 million |
| Logistics Fleet & Medical | ~$20 million |
| Total Estimated Setup Cost | ~$580–620 million (USD) |
Conclusion
JSOC is configured as a versatile, heavily mobile, and precision-equipped joint force, able to operate in all terrain types—from mountains to rivers and urban zones. With enhanced air, riverine, and armoured mobility (including BTR-80M APCs for troop transport and assault), the addition of loitering munitions for precision strike capabilities, and a battery of Boran 105mm ultralight howitzers for artillery support, JSOC is optimised for strategic deterrence, counter-terrorism, and rapid crisis response, ensuring Bangladesh remains prepared for complex security challenges.
📚 References
Official Sources:
- Armed Forces Division. (n.d.). Armed Forces Division, Prime Minister’s Office. [online] Available at: https://afd.gov.bd [Accessed 4 May 2025].
- Bangladesh Army. (n.d.). Bangladesh Army – Official Website. [online] Available at: https://www.army.mil.bd [Accessed 4 May 2025].
- Bangladesh Air Force. (n.d.). BAF Official Portal. [online] Available at: https://baf.mil.bd [Accessed 4 May 2025].
Military Intelligence and OSINT Databases:
- SIPRI. (2024). SIPRI Arms Transfers Database. [online] Available at: https://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers [Accessed 4 May 2025].
- GlobalSecurity.org. (n.d.). Special Operations Forces – Organisation and Capabilities. [online] Available at: https://www.globalsecurity.org [Accessed 4 May 2025].
- IISS. (2024). The Military Balance 2024. London: International Institute for Strategic Studies.
- Army Recognition. (n.d.). Military Vehicle News and Specifications. [online] Available at: https://www.armyrecognition.com [Accessed 4 May 2025].
- Defense News. (2024). Defence Procurement and System Reviews. [online] Available at: https://www.defensenews.com [Accessed 4 May 2025].
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