Major Shaheb
BANNED
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2011
- Messages
- 469
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There is a feeling in government and some sections of the armed forces that defence emphasis has been army-centric for too long, with consequential adverse effects on the ability of the navy and air force to conduct operations. It appears that this has been recognised more widely, and it was stated in parliament by the finance minister during his 2009-2010 budget speech that, "we want to restructure our defence system to ensure security of the country and the people and continue to enhance our defence capability." On 10 March 2010 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that, "within just one year of assuming office, procuring fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missile system, helicopter, air-defence radar, and armaments has been put in process."The government is given to using the defence platform to make political points, and although there may be the will in some sectors of government to push forward reforms, it is apparent that bureaucratic and political inertia, together with resistance within the forces to creation of a more effective system of command and control, involving joint headquarters, will militate against progress.There is very little transparency concerning defence matters. In January 2010, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence held a closed-door meeting, following which, one committee member later stated that "the culture of secrecy" concerning the armed forces should come to an end. This is not likely to occur in the near future.
Following this meeting the government unveiled its plans and ongoing processes of purchasing weapons of war and armoured vehicles to enhance and consolidate combat proficiency of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force.
Planning Minister Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandker, also in charge of the defence ministry in parliamentary affairs, notified the parliament about the government's plans and on going processes for the purchase.
He said the government has planned to buy various weapons of war and combat vehicles in the current fiscal year as part of its 10-year-long development plan for the armed forces.
Following that Govt. has so far purchased 44 Chinese made MBT-2000 main battle tanks, 3 armoured recovery vehicles, and 180 armoured vehicles, 15 armoured recovery vehicles, five armoured ambulances and two helicopters for UN peacekeeping mission.
"Besides, the government has approved in principle and allocated necessary funds to double the capacity of Bangladesh Ordnance Factory to produce ammunition for small arms," said the planning minister in reply to a written query from BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid.
The govt. has also purchased two maritime patrol aircraft RAUG DO-228NG, two AW-109E Power armed maritime helicopter, building five OPV/FAC of 350 tonnes at Khulna shipyard, two missile Corvettes of 650 tonne from china, two large missile Corvette with helo deck and a hydrographic survey vessel from UK, and one oil tanker.
In addition, the government has purchased two off the shelf frigates from PLAN under government to government deal, and a large patrol craft from USCG.
The govt also has plans to upgrade missile boats and patrol crafts with modern C-802A, C-704 and SAM missiles to improve the combat efficiency of navy.
On modernising the air force Govt has purchased 16 stop-gap F-7BGI multirole fighter aircrafts, 4 C-130E hercules transport aircrafts, 10 YAK-130 LIFT, 6 Mi-171SH armed asault/transport helicopter, more short and medium range air-to-air missiles, one surface-to-air missile battery, two air defence radar, and modernized 3 AN-32 transport aircrafts.
In reply to AL lawmaker Israfil Alam's query, the planning minister also placed a report on the armed forces' previous five years' expenditure on medical and training purposes through military medical service directorate.
According to the report, since fiscal year 2005-06 Tk 338.03 crore was spent on medical purpose while Tk 1.35 crore on training.
NEW CADET COLLEGE
In response to a query from Jatiya Party lawmaker MA Jabber, the planning minister said the government has a plan to set up a women's cadet college in Gopalganj or in Khulna or Bagerhat depending on availability of land and fund.
Following this meeting the government unveiled its plans and ongoing processes of purchasing weapons of war and armoured vehicles to enhance and consolidate combat proficiency of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force.
Planning Minister Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandker, also in charge of the defence ministry in parliamentary affairs, notified the parliament about the government's plans and on going processes for the purchase.
He said the government has planned to buy various weapons of war and combat vehicles in the current fiscal year as part of its 10-year-long development plan for the armed forces.
Following that Govt. has so far purchased 44 Chinese made MBT-2000 main battle tanks, 3 armoured recovery vehicles, and 180 armoured vehicles, 15 armoured recovery vehicles, five armoured ambulances and two helicopters for UN peacekeeping mission.
"Besides, the government has approved in principle and allocated necessary funds to double the capacity of Bangladesh Ordnance Factory to produce ammunition for small arms," said the planning minister in reply to a written query from BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid.
The govt. has also purchased two maritime patrol aircraft RAUG DO-228NG, two AW-109E Power armed maritime helicopter, building five OPV/FAC of 350 tonnes at Khulna shipyard, two missile Corvettes of 650 tonne from china, two large missile Corvette with helo deck and a hydrographic survey vessel from UK, and one oil tanker.
In addition, the government has purchased two off the shelf frigates from PLAN under government to government deal, and a large patrol craft from USCG.
The govt also has plans to upgrade missile boats and patrol crafts with modern C-802A, C-704 and SAM missiles to improve the combat efficiency of navy.
On modernising the air force Govt has purchased 16 stop-gap F-7BGI multirole fighter aircrafts, 4 C-130E hercules transport aircrafts, 10 YAK-130 LIFT, 6 Mi-171SH armed asault/transport helicopter, more short and medium range air-to-air missiles, one surface-to-air missile battery, two air defence radar, and modernized 3 AN-32 transport aircrafts.
In reply to AL lawmaker Israfil Alam's query, the planning minister also placed a report on the armed forces' previous five years' expenditure on medical and training purposes through military medical service directorate.
According to the report, since fiscal year 2005-06 Tk 338.03 crore was spent on medical purpose while Tk 1.35 crore on training.
NEW CADET COLLEGE
In response to a query from Jatiya Party lawmaker MA Jabber, the planning minister said the government has a plan to set up a women's cadet college in Gopalganj or in Khulna or Bagerhat depending on availability of land and fund.
