You are being too kind. BAF currently lacks any kind of offensive capacity, BN has rudementary offensive capacity and BA has limited offensive capacity.
BD is fairly exposed and defensive posture self imposed due to economic reality needs to be gradually relaxed and we need to start taking defense seriously. Effective defence means that we need to fight in the enemies territory. The war must start and end there.
I would like to disagree. BA at best can defend the land for a couple of months (6months at most) in a conventional war, I don’t see them being a offensive force at all, they’ll be able to cut off chickens neck and consolidate eastern holdings but they launch a complete invasion to West Bengal and beyond.
Navy too lacks behind despite huge improvement, will be able to hold for a few weeks against india, If we lose our state, it will be because of BAF. They’ll be watching on their radar screen unable to scramble if india viewed us like it does Pakistan.
Well realizing that we have problems and gaps is a first step in resolving these gaps.
I'd be interested in the future steps (if any) the armed forces are taking - both operations and doctrine-wise. That is the crying need of the day, to look at inventive solutions to large military problems, such as keeping our sea lanes open for one thing and having the military wherewithal to enforce such doctrine.
Obviously these steps cannot take place in a vacuum, we need to hold talks with China in this regard. The Chinese Defence Minister arriving in Dhaka (even if he did not) is an excellent move, shows that they have interest. Whether his arrival was brushed off because of the resulting hoopla of the Godi Media, we don't know. But hopefully, covert talks are indeed underway.
IMHO - giving China refuel and patrol rights for their subs in our sea territory may not be a bad thing, as would be giving them rights to install a 19.8 KHz VLF/LF listening station, just like we gave the Indians. We need to make this more overt, if the belligerence from Indian side increases. I'm sure the PLA Navy would appreciate the favor to patrol in our waters, whether covertly or even overtly (in terms of 'friendly visits' every month). This is one way to counteract belligerence from neighbors. Balance in terms of geo-politics.
But I think the time is long since past where India or their media gets to call the shots about our defence or foreign policy. Someone needs to give Godi media a memo to worry more about China, rather than try to bully Bangladesh. All the a$$-whooping they got in Galwan and Aksai Chin wasn't clear enough, it seems.
We know our territory, borderlands and on-the-ground, close-to-the-ground realities (meaning military weaknesses and strengths), but when we start talking about clearer qualitative edges in future battleground techniques and technology and bigger doctrinal and strategy issues, we cannot resolve these issues in practical low cost fashion without consulting the Chinese, whether it be Navy or Army. Air Force in our case is still a question mark unless the 'disruptive change' in BAF with 4.5 gen. fighter induction actually occurs, which we've been hoping for, for a while now.
Push comes to shove, the military futures of China and Bangladesh are woven together - there is no doubt, as is our commercial and economic futures. That with Pakistan is as well, but Hasina's politics is preventing her from doing this. She can't see the big picture, the forest for the trees.
Ultimately, the military reality between our neighbors and us need to be re-cast in light of our economic development. Even if a single bullet is not fired - the intra-neighbor politics need to be re-assessed where their interference in our foreign policy (and intra-nation trade) is significantly lessened and their pundits and public need be informed as such. And any future adventurism in terms of refugee push in from Myanmar must not be allowed to happen, period.
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