Planning Minister AK Khandakar, who is in charge of ministry of defence in parliament, said while responding to a question from lawmaker Asma Jerin Jhumu.
He said all the units and formations of the army will be equipped with efficient personnel and information technology.
The minister said the government has taken short-term, mid-term, and long-term plans to strengthen and modernize the armed forces to protect the country from outside attacks. He said ‘Force’s Goal 2030’ has been set and formulated to this end.
The minister said organogram of overall intelligence headquarters is equipped with latest technology and efficient personnel. He said the armed forces would also be equipped with necessary tools used in UN peace keeping missions.
He said two helicopters, 1 aircraft refueling truck, 3 recovery truck, 12 explosive ordnance disposal, 120 armoured personnel carriers, 10 APC ambulance, 10 armoured recovery vehicle have been bought in 2009-2010.
He said 129 tank wireless sets have been bought in 2010-2011.
Besides 44 MBT-2000 tanks, 3 armored recovery vehicle, 2 weapon locating radar, 18 self-propelled gun, one electronic met station, 2 sound ranging equipment, 200 surface to air missile, 113 anti-tank guided weapon, 1150 anti-tank weapon, 10 automatic grenade launcher, seven light mortar, 1 ground surveillance radar and 25 machine gun carrying vehicles were on the process of procurement, he said. He said 29 more units would be created in mid-term plan and 25 more would be created as per the government’s long-term plan for strengthening the army.
The minister said two warships and one survey-ship have been brought for the Bangladesh Navy. He said the navy ships have been equipped with shoulder launched surface to air missiles.
Two helicopters have been procured and two large patrol craft, two maritime patrol aircraft, five patrol craft and one oil tanker were being constructed for the navy. Two corvettes will be added to the navy and process of buying two off the shelf frigates has initiated.
For the air force, deals have been signed to collect 16 F-7 war-craft, three MI 17 helicopters and two radars, the minister said. Two more air defense radars would also be bought in 2011-2012, he said.