The government has taken various measures to enhance capacity of the armed forces and transform them into a modern and efficient force to strengthen the country’s defense system, said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
He made the comments in a reply to a question from lawmaker Al Faruq Abdul Latif during the question-and-answer session of the Jatiya Sangsad on Wednesday, the 14th day of the session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
The prime minister said the government is working to build the armed forces’ capacity through planning, expansion, modernisation, and training.
He added that the goal is to develop the army, navy, and air force to a level of capability that creates a credible deterrence capacity for safeguarding national sovereignty. To achieve this, initiatives include drafting a new national security strategy and modern defense policy, strengthening the army’s strategic capacity, securing sea routes, maritime resources, and the blue economy through the navy, and enhancing the air force’s air defense, surveillance, and rapid deployment capabilities.
He also said that the BNP’s election manifesto pledged to build the armed forces into a modern, quick, self-contained, non-political, and integrated defense force.
He added that in the current security reality, the government does not want to limit itself to conventional weapons. It is focusing on new areas such as cyberspace, information warfare, drones, artificial intelligence, coastal security, energy infrastructure protection, and inter-force coordination.
Plans include adding 4.5-generation modern fighter jets to the air force, he told the parliament.
The government’s broader goal is to build a modern, knowledge-based, technology-driven, and trusted armed force, with attention to training, professional skills, welfare, post-retirement dignity, and policies like “one rank, one person, one pension.”
The PM further said advanced weapons, modern fighter aircraft, naval vessels and submarines, air defense systems, and sophisticated surveillance technologies are being added for the army, navy, and air force. This modernisation is a continuous process aimed at creating a strong foundation for national security and sovereignty.
The PM further said advanced weapons, modern fighter aircraft, naval vessels and submarines, air defense systems, and sophisticated surveillance technologies are being added for the army, navy, and air force. This modernisation is a continuous process aimed at creating a strong foundation for national security and sovereignty.
He also noted that Bangladesh’s armed forces are consistently working to strengthen international cooperation and strategic partnerships.
The army, navy, and air force regularly conduct joint training and exercises with friendly nations, hold staff-level meetings, defense dialogues, and bilateral talks to enhance strategic relations, exchange experiences, and promote regional security cooperation.
