Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has officially launched the promotion process for future senior leadership of the nation’s naval and air wings by inaugurating “Navy and Air Force Selection Board-2026.”
The formal opening of the selection board took place on Sunday morning at Air Force Headquarters, according to Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.
With the inauguration of this board, the promotion process for officers of the two forces has commenced. Eligible officers being considered for elevation include captains, commanders, and lieutenant commanders of Bangladesh Navy, as well as group captains, wing commanders, and squadron leaders of Bangladesh Air Force.
Comprising military officers from the highest policy-making level, the board will select qualified and efficient officers for the future senior leadership of both Navy and Air Force, subject to final government approval.
Upon his arrival at the venue, Tarique was welcomed by Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, and Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim.
Tribute to martyrs and leaders
In his inaugural address, Tarique recalled the contributions of former president Ziaur Rahman, and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
The deputy press secretary noted that the prime minister also paid tributes to all martyrs of 1971 Liberation War, the martyrs of July Uprising, and all those who were killed or injured in various democratic and civil rights movements between 1971 and 2024.
He expressed profound gratitude to all freedom fighters, the war-wounded, and martyrs of Liberation War, especially the martyrs and brave soldiers of Armed Forces, including those of Navy and Air Force, whose supreme sacrifices will be remembered by the nation forever.
Directives on promotions
Addressing the board members, Tarique directed them to rise above political ideologies and personal likes or dislikes when selecting officers for promotion.
He emphasised that promotions must be based on professional competence, leadership qualities, standards of discipline, honesty, trustworthiness, loyalty, and overall suitability for appointments.
The prime minister highlighted that, in addition to defending national independence and sovereignty, the Bangladesh Navy and Air Force continue to make significant contributions to maintaining internal law and order, stability, and assisting the civil administration during disaster response.
He extended his sincere thanks to the chiefs of Navy and Air Force, as well as all personnel of both forces, for their dedication and sacrifices in serving the country.
Inspection of key operational installations
Following the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister inspected several vital operational installations of Bangladesh Air Force.
He first unveiled the commemorative plaque inaugurating the Air Defence System Integration (ADSI) established at the Air Defence Operations Centre (ADOC) in Dhaka Cantonment, where he observed various air defence operations.
He then visited Air Command Operations Centre (ACOC). During this visit, the prime minister observed the interception of enemy aircraft by Air Force fighter jets on ACOC’s Digital Large Display, as well as a live helicopter troop insertion operation monitored via a live feed from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Chittagong.
Advancements in research and technology
The prime minister also visited the Aerospace Research and Development Complex (ARDC) to inspect its ongoing research activities.
A display of indigenous UAVs developed through Bangladesh Air Force’s own capabilities – including Drones, Kamikaze Drones, Interceptor Drones, and Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft – was presented to the prime minister, who also observed the flight of a quadcopter.
According to deputy press secretary, the prime minister expressed his high hopes that the development of such modern flight systems through indigenous technological capability would mark a significant milestone in research, innovation, and technological self-reliance for Bangladesh Air Force.
