codename_47
FULL MEMBER
New Recruit
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2012
- Messages
- 55
- Reaction score
- 0
- Country
- Location
The Awami League-led grand alliance government has so far procured military hardware worth Tk 15,104 crore as part of its initiative to modernise the armed forces and enhance defence capabilities.
Procurement of another Tk 10,000 crore military hardware and technology is in the pipeline under two deals one signed with Russia in January and the other with Belarus last month, said sources in the army.
Moreover, a move to buy two off-the-shelf submarines for the navy is on. A letter of intent has already been issued in this regard. The two submarines might be bought either from the US or China under a government to government agreement.
Those already procured include radars, tanks, various types of aircraft, helicopters, missiles, frigates, survey ships and self-propelled guns. These were procured from China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Serbia and the UK.
Statistics of defence purchase from fiscal year 2008-09 to 2012-13 show highest Tk 5,407.27 crore was spent for the army followed by Tk 4,975.49 crore for the navy. Air force purchase stood at Tk 4,722.13 crore.
China remains Bangladeshs largest supplier, accounting for more than half the countrys defence purchase worth Tk 7,400 during the current government.
During the time, the army got 44 tanks(BD has a plan to get more 3rd generation tank), three armed recovery vehicles (ARV) and two weapon-locating radars from China while 184 three-tonne capacity Japanese lorries, 275 armed personnel carriers (APC), 15 ARV ambulances and 113 tank destroyer equipment (ATGW) from Russia. It also got two helicopters from France and 18 self-propelled guns from Serbia, according to the sources.
Given the importance of maritime boundary, the government has put the highest importance on equipping the navy with new frigates, patrol ships, warships, missiles and maritime aircraft in the last four and a half years.
Two frigates, two new small warships, two large patrol ships and five patrol craft were procured from China. Two radars and fire control systems and missiles (C-704) were also bought from China.
In addition, two Italy-made maritime helicopters and MK-2 missiles, two German-made maritime aircraft and three ships made by the UK were added to the navy force.
The navy is also hoping to be equipped with two submarines by 2016. The government is in talks with China and the US in this regard. Estimated cost of a China-made submarine is Tk 4,000 crore while a US-made one may cost double the sum.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated three warships in Chittagong on Thursday.
A move is underway to acquire land in Pekua upazila (near Kutubdia channel) of Coxs Bazar to establish a submarine harbour.
Six navy personnel are now in Golcuk, Turkey, for training on operation of submarine. Five more will be sent once they return, said sources in the navy.
There was no purchase for the air force in fiscal year 2009-10 but the following three years saw a huge purchase from China and Russia. These include 16 F-7 BG1 planes from China and three MI-171SH helicopters from Russia.
The air force also got SHORAD, an air defence system, overhauling facilities for F-7 planes, PL-9C missiles for F-7 plane, four air defence radars and overhauling of MIG-29 planes during the time.
Justifying expenditure on defence hardware, former army chief Maj Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said, Considering our geopolitical, geostrategical, geoeconomical and geographical context, the purchase was very much important to strengthen our armed forces.
He said Bangladeshs neighbours India, Myanmar and China have multiplied their military might.
We have the Bay of Bengal. If we want to establish our rights and authorities on the water territory and its resources, we have no alternative but to strengthen the army, navy and air force, said Mahbubur, a standing committee member of the BNP.
He termed very much logical the move to buy submarines for the navy. We of course need submarines.
Procurement of another Tk 10,000 crore military hardware and technology is in the pipeline under two deals one signed with Russia in January and the other with Belarus last month, said sources in the army.
Moreover, a move to buy two off-the-shelf submarines for the navy is on. A letter of intent has already been issued in this regard. The two submarines might be bought either from the US or China under a government to government agreement.
Those already procured include radars, tanks, various types of aircraft, helicopters, missiles, frigates, survey ships and self-propelled guns. These were procured from China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Serbia and the UK.
Statistics of defence purchase from fiscal year 2008-09 to 2012-13 show highest Tk 5,407.27 crore was spent for the army followed by Tk 4,975.49 crore for the navy. Air force purchase stood at Tk 4,722.13 crore.
China remains Bangladeshs largest supplier, accounting for more than half the countrys defence purchase worth Tk 7,400 during the current government.
During the time, the army got 44 tanks(BD has a plan to get more 3rd generation tank), three armed recovery vehicles (ARV) and two weapon-locating radars from China while 184 three-tonne capacity Japanese lorries, 275 armed personnel carriers (APC), 15 ARV ambulances and 113 tank destroyer equipment (ATGW) from Russia. It also got two helicopters from France and 18 self-propelled guns from Serbia, according to the sources.
Given the importance of maritime boundary, the government has put the highest importance on equipping the navy with new frigates, patrol ships, warships, missiles and maritime aircraft in the last four and a half years.
Two frigates, two new small warships, two large patrol ships and five patrol craft were procured from China. Two radars and fire control systems and missiles (C-704) were also bought from China.
In addition, two Italy-made maritime helicopters and MK-2 missiles, two German-made maritime aircraft and three ships made by the UK were added to the navy force.
The navy is also hoping to be equipped with two submarines by 2016. The government is in talks with China and the US in this regard. Estimated cost of a China-made submarine is Tk 4,000 crore while a US-made one may cost double the sum.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated three warships in Chittagong on Thursday.
A move is underway to acquire land in Pekua upazila (near Kutubdia channel) of Coxs Bazar to establish a submarine harbour.
Six navy personnel are now in Golcuk, Turkey, for training on operation of submarine. Five more will be sent once they return, said sources in the navy.
There was no purchase for the air force in fiscal year 2009-10 but the following three years saw a huge purchase from China and Russia. These include 16 F-7 BG1 planes from China and three MI-171SH helicopters from Russia.
The air force also got SHORAD, an air defence system, overhauling facilities for F-7 planes, PL-9C missiles for F-7 plane, four air defence radars and overhauling of MIG-29 planes during the time.
Justifying expenditure on defence hardware, former army chief Maj Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said, Considering our geopolitical, geostrategical, geoeconomical and geographical context, the purchase was very much important to strengthen our armed forces.
He said Bangladeshs neighbours India, Myanmar and China have multiplied their military might.
We have the Bay of Bengal. If we want to establish our rights and authorities on the water territory and its resources, we have no alternative but to strengthen the army, navy and air force, said Mahbubur, a standing committee member of the BNP.
He termed very much logical the move to buy submarines for the navy. We of course need submarines.
