Leveraging National Highways for Enhanced Operational Flexibility: A Strategic Imperative for the Bangladesh Air Force

Reading Time: 9 minutes Abstract The increasing complexity of modern security environments necessitates flexible and resilient military operational capabilities. For the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), the nation’s network of national highways offers significant opportunities to bolster strategic mobility, enhance force dispersal, and expedite rapid deployments. This paper explores the potential for BAF to seamlessly integrate national highways into its operational planning framework. It addresses critical infrastructural considerations, emphasizes the necessity of robust coordination with civil agencies, and explores diverse tactical applications, including the establishment of highway airstrips, facilitation of emergency landings, and provision of swift logistical support. Drawing upon successful international precedents and considering Bangladesh’s unique geographical context, this analysis culminates in actionable recommendations aimed at optimising national highways as pivotal force multipliers in BAF operations. 1. Introduction Globally, modern air forces increasingly recognise the strategic value of utilising road networks as supplementary airstrips and rapid deployment corridors [1]. Given