Bangladesh Military Thread

[leonblack08]

What happend to our Yangatan venture? Are we not getting them?
I guess chinese supply is more reliable than Ukraine though..

I don't think we will be getting yatagans,rather Type 96 seems more possible.You know about the Chinese Lobby here and the fact China has been our largest arms supplier.
Or If we are lucky may be we will be having them both.That would mean less number of T-84 and more of Type-96.

 

[TopCat]

I don't think we will be getting yatagans,rather Type 96 seems more possible.You know about the Chinese Lobby here and the fact China has been our largest arms supplier.
Or If we are lucky may be we will be having them both.That would mean less number of T-84 and more of Type-96.

Any idea of how many of them we are getting.
Big news, finally we might be moving towards getting our own reserve. I am opening another thread.

 

[leonblack08]

Another Good news!!


Army seeks to form crisis unit
Proposed Quick Reaction Force to tackle internal security; can be sent for UN peacekeeping; JS body to discuss the proposal
Shakhawat Liton

Bangladesh Army seeks to form a special unit named, Quick Reaction Force (QRF), to ensure the country's internal security, particularly to tackle on an urgent basis -- incidents like mutinies and bombings.

Terming such an unit 'indispensable' for the country 'under the current circumstances', the army in a report claimed that QRF troops will be able to neutralise the threats to the nation much quicker, sources said quoting from the proposals stipulated in the report.

Placed for discussion before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Defence Ministry on last Thursday, the report also suggested that the government approves formation of a QRF brigade.

In the report the army termed the absence of QRF as one of its weaknesses in relation to rendering assistance to the government for maintaining internal security.

If QRF is formed, it can also be sent to UN peacekeeping missions on short notice, which will elevate Bangladesh Army's image in the international arena, the report claimed.

The report also suggested forming a national crisis [management] committee in light of the 'current reality' to deal with all possible future crises.

The national probe committee investigating the recent BDR mutiny, in its report submitted to the government last month, also suggested formation of a national crisis management committee at the top level. The February 25-26 BDR mutiny this year, left 74 people dead, including 57 army officers who had been working in the border security force on deputation.

The proposals for the formation of the national crisis management committee came after the National Security Council, the highest consulting body on security affairs, had become defunct, observed security experts.

"The absence of a national crisis management committee comprising all ministries and forces, might result in a lack of coordination and waste of time. That could create a national crisis, or the public might lose confidence in the security forces," said the army's report.

The report also focused on threats to the country's security, and on possible grounds for Bangladesh to get involved in unwanted internal and external wars.

Internal reasons identified in the report, for which Bangladesh Army might get involved in conflicts are: if the Chittagong Hill Tract separatist movement is revived; if any non-state force or terrorists adopt the policy of an uneven warfare, or if any terrorist base inside the country threatens global peace and stability; and if law and order deteriorates and the government's authority is challenged by anti-people activities of drug and arms dealers.

"According to Bangladesh's foreign policy, we will not initiate a war. But, Bangladesh might inadvertently get engaged in a conflict due to various reasons. A recent analysis stated that since 1990 militaries of the world got involved in 30 to 40 small and large conflicts a year. Most of those conflicts did not involve a foreign country, but were caused by internal disturbances or clashes," the report said.

The army in the report expressed faith that it will be possible to implement all necessary measures required to keep the army always prepared, if the proposals are placed before the parliament and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through the parliamentary standing committee.

The prime minister is currently holding the portfolio of the defence ministry, along with the control of the Armed Forces Division.

Since formation of the current government, the prime minister pledged to transform Bangladesh Army into a modern force, the report said hoping that the army will continuously be strengthened by implementation of the prime minister's pledges and by the parliamentary committee's prudent guidance.

The report said the army's vision, objective, and mission is to protect and defend the integrity and sovereignty of the country from internal and external threats, by building a modern and skilled force.

The parliamentary standing committee at a meeting on May 28 opened a discussion on the army's proposals, problems, and possible solutions to those.

In its report the army also focused on the needs for formulating a national defence policy to specify terms and references, organisational importance, and guidelines for all armed forces.

The parliamentary body echoed the view, and asked the defence ministry and the Armed Forces Division to place the draft defence policy, which is already prepared, at the committee's next meeting for discussion.

Ruling Awami League (AL) in its electoral manifesto, pledged to formulate a national defence policy, and to build modern and skilled defence forces to safeguard the country's independence and sovereignty against any threat.

The Daily Star - Details News


This QRF will be like SSG of Pakistan and NSG of India.We needed it long ago.Good that the authority are coming to their senses.

 

[leonblack08]

Peacekeepers not equipped properly
Army tells JS body about equipment dearth in UN missions; seeks urgent initiative
Shakhawat Liton

Bangladeshi troops engaged in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions face a dearth of equipment, though their work abroad earns the country around Tk 1,200 crore a year.

The crisis is acute in 19 contingents across Liberia, Sudan, Ivory Coast and Congo. At present, Bangladesh has 8,083 soldiers stationed in 11 missions in 10 countries, says a report of the army.

Titled 'Problems confronting the army ', the report submitted to the parliamentary standing committee on the defence ministry last month calls for immediate steps to solve the problems.

It says the peacekeepers from Bangladesh do not have enough armoured personnel carriers (APC), water treatment plants, bulldozers, generators, rollers and freezers--all necessary to carry out their duties properly.

For instance, it adds, the troops need at least four water treatment plants for the UN mission in Liberia, but all four plants there remain out of use.

The field regiment artillery deployed in Sudan needs 17 APCs, but they have to make do with 12, as five APCs are out of order.

The report says arms, heavy vehicles and other military gears should be purchased so the troops in the UN missions are considered well-equipped and dynamic.

According to it, around six percent of the funds allocated for the army in fiscal years 2004-08 was spent on defence purchase. During the period, the purchasemeant for use in UN peacekeeping missions cost around 8.46 percent of the funds.

Apart from the inadequacy of equipment, the report cites the army's limitations in sending troops within a short period of time. “If a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) is formed, it can be sent to UN peacekeeping missions at short notice, as well. And that will elevate the force's image abroad.”

It also suggests stepping up diplomatic efforts to ensure increased number of Bangladeshi staff officers in UN headquarters and troops in missions.

Since the country began participating in peacekeeping missions in 1988, it has contributed over 73,176 soldiers in 41 UN missions in 30 countries.

The report said the troops earned Tk 7,445 crore over the last seven fiscal years.

Their performance has been lauded worldwide.

Observers say despite political instability and economic pressures, Bangladesh never shied away from fulfilling its global responsibilities.

Its readiness to contribute large, varied and sizeable troops will only add to its commitment to peacekeeping, they noted.

The Daily Star - Details News

 

[leonblack08]

Bangladesh military budget raised beyond expectation
The government has raised military spending to Tk 8,382 crore in the proposed budget.

Finance minister AMA Muhith, in his budget speech on Thursday, also proposed to raise the original allocation of Tk 7,967 crore in the current fiscal to Tk 8,196 crore in the revised budget for FY 2009-10.

He told parliament that the government was set to keep the armed forces "above all controversy."

"Currently, we do not have any codified defence policy," Muhith said and added that they would follow a participatory approach in formulating a National Defence Policy.

The finance minister also stressed reinforcing diplomatic initiatives along with restructuring the defence system to ensure national security.

Source:BDnews24

The defence budget is 6.2% of the total budget.Good news for our military.

 

[leonblack08]

One thing I must add is that the people needs to get some kind of "Defence white paper" or account of how this money would be spent.Otherwise it will be useless to allocate those large sum of money as there will be corruption in the absence of transparency.

Now that defence budget rose unexpectedly,we can hope that inshallah the previously proposed Defence plan will be accomplished.
In that case we are soon going to have a Three-dimensional navy and a better equipped army.

 

[leonblack08]

Let's have a walk through at the proposed defence plan again and pray that the task is completed.

Defence to get extensive facelift
Star Online Report
The government today (Sunday) unveiled an extensive plan to strengthen the country’s defence system by equipping the armed forces with more sophisticated weapons including tank-destroying missiles, frigates, choppers and patrol aircraft.
Planning Minister AK Khandker told the parliament that the government would purchase the weapons and necessary equipment for the armed forces in the current and next financial year.


The planning minister did not specify the approximate cost of the purchases. He said the government took measures to make the armed forces well equipped, well trained and well organised, considering the financial solvency of the country.


In reply to a query of ruling alliance lawmaker Zafar Iqbal Siddiqui, the minister in a scripted answer said the process for signing an agreement was completed to procure anti-ship missile at a cost of Tk 120 crore for Navy’s Frigate this year.


“It’s now awaiting the final approval of the government. Besides, work on setting up anti-aircraft missile at the Frigate is on,” the minister said.


Khandker said the process was underway to replace another three frigates of the Navy, which are aged over 50 years, by new ones.


“Communications with different countries are going on to this effect,” the minister said, describing the measures, which are among the long term plans to make the Navy as a three-dimensional force to meet the challenge of 21st century.


“International tender has already been floated to purchase choppers and maritime patrol air crafts to strengthen the maritime patrol and as a part of making the Navy as three-dimensional force,” said Khandker, also the former chief of the air force.


On the plans to make the army well equipped, the planning minister said the government planned to purchase helicopters, tanks, armoured personnel carriers, anti-tank and aircraft missiles, sniper rifles, explosive, night vision, different types of modern radio equipments, vehicles, different types of arms and others related equipments in the current fiscal year of 2008-09.

“Initiatives are being taken to provide computerised modern and modern training to the army by setting up simulators at 27 training establishments and our standard of training of our army has been lauded all over the world,” the planning minister said.

The Daily Star - Details News

 

[TopCat]

One thing I must add is that the people needs to get some kind of "Defence white paper" or account of how this money would be spent.Otherwise it will be useless to allocate those large sum of money as there will be corruption in the absence of transparency.

Now that defence budget rose unexpectedly,we can hope that inshallah the previously proposed Defence plan will be accomplished.
In that case we are soon going to have a Three-dimensional navy and a better equipped army.

What are these defense budget consists of? Does personnel salary comes out of it or those goes from administrative allocation?

 

[leonblack08]

What are these defense budget consists of? Does personnel salary comes out of it or those goes from administrative allocation?

As far as I know salary is included.Plus procurement of equipment.There are sub-divisions within this budget consisting all of these.Anyone correct me if I am wrong.

 

[blain2]

The key is not the salaries, rather the pension. Try to figure out if the pensions, as they typically form the single biggest component of the defence budget, are included. Equipment purchases usually come under capital purchases, however each year certain amount of money, from the service for which the acquisition has been made, is paid to service the loan etc.

 

[leonblack08]

More fund sought for modernising army
Only 6pc of its allocation spent on defence purchase; 83pc goes to salaries, services, supplies
Shakhawat Liton

Defence purchase of Bangladesh Army is dependent on a derisory 6 percent of the fund allocated for the force while over 83 percent of the share is spent on salaries, allowances, services and supplies.

The acute shortage of fund stands in the way to modernisation of the force, says a report of the army, analysing the allocations and expenditures of the last four fiscal years.

The report was placed before the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry on May 28 for discussion to elicit recommendations to resolve the problem. The Daily Star obtained a copy of the report.

The report says Tk 192 crore has been allocated in the four fiscal years since 2005-06 for procuring armament and ammunition against the army's requirement of Tk 403 crore for purchasing ammunition alone.

It says 65.79 percent of the allocated fund was spent on salaries and allowances of the force in 2004-05, 69.30 percent in FY 2005-06, 72.03 percent in FY 2006-07 and 64.52 percent in FY 2007-08.

For services and supplies, which include pension, uniform, food, etc, 15.43 percent of the fund has been spent in the last four fiscal years since 2004-05. The expenditure was 14.30 percent in FY 2004-05, 15.91 percent in FY 2005-06, 15.90 percent in FY 2006-07 and 15.59 percent in FY 2007-08.

The report terms the budgetary allocation very inadequate for modernising the force as only 5.6 percent of the allocated fund was spent on defence purchase in FY 2004-05, 5.9 percent in FY 2005-06, 5.1 percent in FY 2006-07 and 7.2 percent in FY 2007-08.

The defence purchase for UN peacekeeping mission was on an average 8.46 percent in the said four fiscal years.

The report says the army could never meet its needs for ammunition because of budget constraints.

The force sought Tk 70.49 crore for just purchasing ammunition in FY 2005-06, but only Tk 1.41 crore was allocated for procuring both armament and ammunition. In FY 2006-07, the army got Tk 68.48 crore for purchasing armament and ammunition against a demand of Tk 61.56 crore for ammunition alone, Tk 79.97 crore in FY 2007-08 against a requirement for Tk 133.21 crore, and Tk 43.27 crore in FY 2008-09 against a demand of Tk 138.43 crore.

The report identifies insufficient funding as the "key problem" to starting replacement of outdated weaponry.

"Most of our weapons are from the 1960s and '70s, which belittles our overall military prowess," it says.

According to the report, 90.3 percent small arms and 89 percent field artillery guns used by the army were bought during 1960s-80s while all the tanks are from that period.

The report also focuses on the shortage of manpower in the force and says talented youths are discouraged to join the army as facilities in the civil and corporate professions are better than those in the military service. It suggests making the military service attractive by increasing salaries and other benefits.

The report points out that the number of engineer battalions is very inadequate for implementing development activities in different parts of the country. There is also a shortage of equipment to deal with natural disasters like flood, cyclone and earthquakes.

Referring to the "Forces Goal 2020", a set of goals outlined in 2004 for the modernisation of the army in accordance with the country's economic reality, the report says accomplishing those goals will help plug the force's organisational shortcomings and increase its operational capacity.

Bemoaning the fact that the lack of fund is making those targets harder to attain, the army maintains that the government should approve the Forces Goal 2020 in principle.

The report mentions that the defence budget of India is 2.38 percent of its GDP, 3.2 percent in Pakistan, 6 percent in Sri Lanka, 3.3 percent in Myanmar, and 1.7 percent in Nepal while it is only 1.1 percent in Bangladesh.

In the proposed budget for FY 2009-10, the government has announced that it wants to restructure the country's defence system to ensure security of the country and the people and continue to improve defence capability.

"Enhanced provision in terms of higher training, modern military hardware and other facilities for the army, navy, air force and border security forces will be provided, so that they are fully prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century," Finance Minister AMA Muhith said in his budget speech on June 11.

The finance minister proposed increasing the original allocation of Tk 7,967 crore for FY 2008-09 to Tk 8,196 crore in the revised budget and allocating Tk 8,382 crore in the budget for FY 2009-10.

The Daily Star - Details News

 

[leonblack08]

So what is the use of allocating so much money if only a meagre sum is allocated to modernise the army?
This is totally absurd allocation.It will only benefit few Generals and politicians for sure.

 

[leonblack08]

All those procurement plans by AL will be in their dream if they don't allocate more funds for Defence budget.How on earth they are going to fulfill those procurement?
Probably they want to acquire those by 2050 instead of 2020.Bunch of idiots sitting up there and planning for our defence.AL is just pleasing few Generals and nothing more.There is an urgent need of fund.

And Hasina will probably buy something Russian at the end of her term to show to the public,but that will be good for nothing.

 

[mijanur]

neighbours; Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Nepal and China. India now spends a colossal $32.35 billion on defence, Pakistan $4.8 billion, Bangladesh $830 million, Nepal $100 million and Burma $30 million (according to Business Standard, India’s second-largest financial daily, “There is no apparent reason for India to understate its defence budget. No IMF conditions constrain defence spending…. But India continues to camouflage what other comparable liberal democracies transparently show as defence spending). Collectively, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma and Nepal spend $5.7 billion a year on defence. Who is India going to fight with?


i cheked this out.... india is racing away

 

[Jako]

Yeah,india spends a lot on defence......but still the % of gdp that we spend is lesser than pak's......bigger economy,bigger spending -simple!!!