Proposal to purchase fighter jets, attack helicopters, drones and state-of-the-art aircraft.
Defense capabilities are being enhanced to strengthen national security. As part of this, a major action plan has been taken to modernize the army, navy, and air force. It has been proposed to purchase various types of advanced combat equipment for the air force, including multi-role fighter aircraft, attack helicopters, modern drone systems, and sophisticated aircraft.
At the same time, there are plans to procure modern weapons, ammunition and necessary equipment to build the army into a force with 'credible deterrence capabilities.' In addition, coordinated initiatives are being taken to increase the capacity and modernize the navy.
The Ministry of Defense recently sent a recommendation to the Ministry of Finance to allocate about Tk 27,000 crore in the budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 to implement this plan. The proposal mentions that this plan has been prepared in coordination with the election manifesto of the current government.
According to relevant sources, this is not the overall budget proposal of the Ministry of Defense; it is a separate plan for the purchase of military equipment. The Finance Department is reviewing the proposal of the Ministry of Defense.
A total of Tk 40,698 crore has been allocated for the Ministry of Defense in the budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. The allocation in the original budget of the last fiscal year was Tk 42,000 crore. In the revised budget, it was Tk 39,239 crore. In the previous fiscal year, the total expenditure of the Ministry of Defense was Tk 34,848 crore.
Incidentally, at a ceremony organized at the National Defense College in Mirpur Cantonment on April 23, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman said that preparations for war are not made to fight; rather, they are made to avoid war.
He said, "It is not possible to implement an effective foreign policy without a strong defense system. As the country's import and export are largely dependent on sea routes, there is a need to further enhance the capacity of the Navy. At the same time, he also mentioned the modernization of the Air Force as the need of the hour."
Air Force Modernization Plan
A comprehensive plan has been taken for the Bangladesh Air Force to keep the country's airspace safe and secure. A budget of Tk 12,232.18 crore (nearly $1 billion) has been proposed for the fiscal year 2026-27 to develop the Air Force as a strong force, considering the regional and geopolitical realities. It mentions an action plan to procure the latest technology fighter aircraft and military equipment for the Air Force.
The plan includes the purchase of multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA), target acquisition attack helicopters and special helicopters for VIP transport. In addition, modern drones (UAVs), anti-drone technology, long-range radars and other advanced equipment have been included.
The proposal states that radar-equipped combat aircraft, MSAM systems, etc. will strengthen Bangladesh's sovereignty and national security. By purchasing and adding state-of-the-art aircraft, radars and modern equipment in consideration of national importance, the Bangladesh Air Force will play an important role as a strong force in the regional and current geopolitical situation.
The plan also emphasizes the issue of creating skilled manpower. The goal has been set to make the Air Force self-reliant step by step by ensuring round-the-clock surveillance in the air defense system, and by creating skilled pilots, engineers and technicians.
Proposals for the Army and Navy
It has been proposed to allocate about 9,900 crore taka ($805 millions) to modernize and strengthen the army. This money will be used to purchase modern weapons, ammunition and military equipment. In addition, it has been proposed to allocate 1,547 ($125 millions) crore taka to develop the defense industry. It has been proposed to allocate 1,500 crore taka to introduce the 'One Rank One Pension' system for retired armed forces members.
An allocation of about 734 crore taka has been sought for the construction of four large patrol ships utilizing the domestic shipbuilding industry. About 200 crore taka will be spent on the purchase of a cutter suction dredger, four VSATs, a training simulator and some other things for the submarine base.
Infrastructure Development:
An allocation of Tk 581 crore has been proposed for the infrastructural development of the armed forces. Under this, an IFF system will be set up at a cost of Tk 126 crore. In addition, administrative buildings, multi-storey residential buildings, multipurpose complexes and hospitals will be constructed at various naval bases in Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna at a cost of about Tk 455 crore. At the same time, development work will be implemented at Banaue Isa Khan, BN Dockyard, Banaue Titumir and Banaue Patenga.
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Now keep in mind the actual big news is that it won't be approved. 'Cause someone like Khasru simply doesn't have the intellectual capacity to understand the changing geopolitical and security landscape, how far we fell behind in last 15 years, and how much urgent these modernizations are to even put forward a minuscule deterrence posture.
Also the guy is corrupt, so he can be bribed against approving funds for these purchases.
And the third reason is government has already undertaking three massive projects (Padma barrage, Teesta barrage, Eastern oil refinery expansion) simultaneously that would cost billions. We are already cash strapped and those are priority projects for BNP as they directly improve the economy and well-being of its voter base.
So Card Baba will give a speech with his sooty voice as some point how PM has limitations and he is doing everything he can to modernize BD armed forces as election promise and as a vision of his late father. When the actual funding always get pushed down the road as next fiscal year's problem and the next.
Even if something gets approved, it would be like 1/5 of the proposal. Remember there was also plan to increase the defense spending by $1.5 billions in FY26 under Yunus. Even he couldn't get it done. Also the plan for MRCA is to sign the deal by FY27. If they miss it it will likely get pushed 2 more years down the road.
@LeonBlack08 @AbuShalehRumi @Michael Corleone
Source:
সোর্স: SAMAKAL https://share.google/mHNKHNwmMRVJ3fXaY
সোর্স: SAMAKAL https://share.google/mHNKHNwmMRVJ3fXaY
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