Since gaining independence, Bangladesh has appeared on the international stage as a country with limited military strength. After the Liberation War of 1971, the country emerged amid near-total destruction of infrastructure, economic crisis, and political instability. In the defense sector, Bangladesh's initial objective at the time was to make the country capable of safeguarding its borders, but there was no coherent long-term plan for military modernization.
From an overall perspective, it is evident that the country's military capability lags significantly behind neighboring India and other comparable countries in South Asia. Bangladesh's military expenditure has gradually increased over recent decades. However, this increase has primarily been used for salaries, fixed costs, and ongoing operational expenses. Only about 2-4 percent of the total budget has been allocated to military modernization, arms procurement, and the integration of new technologies.
In terms of arms acquisition and modernization projects, under the leadership of the caretaker government in 2025, the country has undertaken initiatives to strengthen the navy and air defense, as well as to enhance the country's arms manufacturing facilities to produce modern weapons. With this objective in mind, discussions have begun on defense agreements with several countries. Among these, the most notable is the plan to enhance the capabilities of the Air Force and efforts to acquire arms and technology.
Some of these plans have already resulted in signed agreements, while others remain under discussion or at the Letter of Intent (LOI) stage. Most notably, the Bangladesh Air Force signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Italy's leading defense manufacturer Leonardo S.p.A. Through this, a preliminary agreement for the acquisition of the highly advanced Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighter aircraft was signed on 9 December 2025 at Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka. A formal decision has been taken to initiate discussions for the supply of these advanced fighter jets from Italy.
This initiative to acquire the Typhoon is being considered a defining milestone for the Bangladesh Air Force, as it could significantly enhance the country's defense capability if finalized. At the same time, discussions are ongoing with Italy and Turkey regarding the procurement of fighter aircraft, advanced attack aircraft, attack helicopters, and various military equipment. For example, there are plans to acquire 10 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from Italy and six T-129 attack helicopters from Turkey by 2027, and an inter-ministerial committee has been formed to conduct discussions on these matters.
The government is also assessing the possibility of drone and arms production in cooperation with Turkey. Various reports indicate that the feasibility of manufacturing Turkish technology-based attack drones and integrated defense equipment in Bangladesh is also being considered.
Although no final agreement has yet been signed with Pakistan for the procurement of modern fighter aircraft or military equipment, there has previously been expressed interest and discussion regarding the purchase of JF-17 Block 3 fighter jets from Pakistan. In addition, initiatives have been taken to develop a military airfield or base in the Lalmonirhat area. In military and strategic planning, this base will play an important role in enhancing the Air Force's regional capabilities, particularly if plans to station Eurofighter or other advanced aircraft there are implemented.
Taken together, these initiatives, preliminary agreements, and ongoing discussions indicate that the interim government is strongly focused on transforming Bangladesh's armed forces into a modern, multi-domain capable force. Steps have also been taken to procure modern fighter aircraft from China and to develop domestic military technology and drone manufacturing capabilities in order to strengthen the armed forces in line with the demands of the modern world.
The most significant component of these efforts is the plan to procure modern J-10 (J-10CE) multirole fighter aircraft from China. The Government of Bangladesh has initially planned a defense agreement worth approximately USD 2.2 billion for around 20 J-10CE fighter jets. These aircraft possess 4.5-generation capabilities and are equipped with AESA radar, advanced sensors, and sophisticated missile management systems, which will significantly enhance Bangladesh's air defense and multi-dimensional air operation capabilities. The agreement is likely to be implemented on a government-to-government (G2G) basis, with plans to extend the payment period up to 10 years, thereby including a full package covering pilot training, maintenance, and logistics.
Compared to comparable countries in South Asia, Bangladesh lags behind in military capability. Countries such as Pakistan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Egypt have made far greater progress in military spending and modernization than Bangladesh. Military modernization in Bangladesh is not limited solely to weapons acquisition. The development of airports, naval bases, radar and surveillance systems, and military factories is also critical. Recently, projects have been undertaken to modernize several military airbases in the country, including plans to add airport infrastructure, radar systems, and emergency maintenance facilities. In addition, initiatives have been taken to establish arms production and logistics support centers in various parts of the country.
As a result of these modernization activities, Bangladesh's military efficiency will increase, enabling it to address regional security challenges more effectively. Through budget reallocation and increased resources, the country will be able to make significant progress in acquiring high-quality weapons, installing radar and surveillance systems, and advancing long-range missile and drone technologies. Domestic arms production can reduce imports, create export potential, and help achieve self-sufficiency in the defense industry.
To enhance Bangladesh's military capabilities, improving relations with regional and international alliances is extremely important. Participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions, as well as international training and technology exchanges, can also play a significant role in strengthening Bangladesh's military capacity.
An important aspect of enhancing Bangladesh's military capability is not only weapons and technology, but also the development of human resources and ethical standards. In recent years, the ethical standards of the armed forces had declined somewhat, but initiatives have recently been taken to improve them. Through effective training, ethical development, technological knowledge, and leadership development, the country's armed forces will become more effective and self-reliant.
Another important aspect of Bangladesh's military capability is maintaining regional balance. Through regional cooperation, defense alliances, and international technology transfer, the path to acquiring military capability will become more accessible. Significant progress can be achieved in the navy, air defense, ground forces, arms industry, drone technology, radar and surveillance systems, and the construction of military airports.
A further critical element in enhancing military capability is domestic production. Achieving self-sufficiency in the production and maintenance of drones, missiles, long-range tanks, and modern aircraft is extremely important. By allocating a planned portion of the military budget to arms and modernization, improving ethical standards and human resources, establishing domestic arms and military airport infrastructure, and participating in international and regional defense cooperation, Bangladesh's military capability will increase significantly compared to similar countries in South Asia. This will not only ensure regional security but also establish Bangladesh as an effective state capable of safeguarding its sovereignty and expanding its defense influence.
Although Bangladesh's military capability has lagged behind due to failures and limited budgets over past decades, the current government's planned initiatives, international cooperation, domestic production, and improvements in ethical standards can enable Bangladesh to emerge as a regionally strong and self-reliant country in the next generation.
The writer is an economist
