Al-zakir
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B'desh launches China-aided weapon factory
Sunday, April 20, 2008 19:51 [IST]
Dhaka: Bangladesh today launched a China-aided weapon factory to produce sophisticated rifles for the army and paramilitary forces.
"The introduction of 7.62 mm automatic rifle type -08 Bangladesh or in short BD-08 will not change the country's policies including that of defence. Rather, we wish to make ourselves defencive, stronger and safeguard the sovereignty of our motherland," Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed said, opening the unit at Bangladesh Ordnance Factory at suburban Gazipur.
Ahmed said the army wanted its troops to be equipped with the "best possible weapons within our capability". The factory, set up under an agreement between Bangladesh and Chinese governments, has a production capacity of 10,000 rifles per annum. Officials said the sophisticated rifles would not only modernise the country's armed forces but also equip the soldiers in a new fashion and enhance their moral strength.
Bangladesh has a long partnership with China for procuring military hardware and bilateral defence cooperation.