Forces Goal 2030

Concept

Forces Goal 2030 is the first planned attempt to modernize the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Modernization was neglected in Bangladesh and no extensive measures were taken previously. Forces Goal 2030 emphasizes quality equipment with better training and increasing mobility.

Army

The plan is to make the Bangladesh Army a well-trained, well-armed force that can defend from conventional and unconventional threats. The Bangladesh Army planned to conduct its activities under three independent corps — Central, Eastern and Western. The number of infantry divisions was to be increased to ten. Currently there are nine infantry divisions including two newly formed ones, the 17th infantry division at Sylhet and 10th infantry division at Ramu in Cox’s Bazar. Another infantry division is under formation at the Lebukhali of Patuakhali district, to be completed in 2016. A riverine brigade is being formed at Mithamain of Kishoreganj district. A full-fledged cantonment is being established at Ruma of Bandarban district.

The mobility of the force was improved. Many new APC, IFV units were procured, such as BTR-80, Otokar Cobra, BOV M11. APCs and BTR-82A IFV were approved. The army was considering self-propelled mortars. A contract was signed for 330 BTR-82A IFV and 10 Armoured recovery vehicles were procured via a $1 billion deal with Russia, whose delivery was to start from the end of 2016.

The firepower of artillery units was increased by procuring Nora B-52 K2 self-propelled artillery systems. More self-propelled systems are under consideration, such as Chinese SH-2s. One battery of WS-22 Guided Multiple Rocket Launcher System was procured. Two more batteries of this system were to be procured in 2015 to form a full MLRS regiment.

The Bangladesh Army procured 44 MBT-2000 tanks, upgraded from Type-59 to Type 59BD. Two new tank regiments may be created.

New radio equipment and other devices were procured to modernize the signal corps. SLC-2 weapon locating radar was added.

An independent air defence brigade was formed at Dhaka Cantonment. Two regiments of FM 90 surface to air missile were to be added by 2016 to enhance air defence capabilities.

Metis-M and Kornet E missile systems and PF-98 rocket systems were procured for anti-tank roles.

For effectively facing unconventional threats, government is actively considering the formation of Special forces at brigade level.

One of the major developments is its Future soldier system. The Bangladesh Army started equipping its soldiers with Night Vision Goggles (NVG), Ballistic helmets, protective eye gear, bulletproof vests, person to person communicators, palmtop GPS devices and BD-08 MK2 assault rifles with ACOG sight.

The Bangladesh government is modernizing the army aviation wing. Two Eurocopter AS365 Dauphins were put into service in 2012. A contract was signed for six Mil Mi-171 helicopters from Russia under the $1 billion arms deal. Two CN-235 transport aircraft for Army aviation wee ordered from Spain.

One of the decisions was to employ unmanned aerial vehicles. CH-3A UCAV and CH-91 UAVs were ordered from China in 2015.

Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF) makes BD-08 and BD-08MK2 assault rifles and LMGs. The factory can produce 14,000 rifles with 600,000 grenades and 400,000 cartridges annually. Bangladesh produces artillery shells domestically. Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) assembles utility trucks for the army called "Arunima Baliyan ". In 2015, BOF successfully tested 60mm and 82mm mortars and mortar shells. A missile assembly plant, explosives testing lab, bullet-proof jacket production plant and APC manufacturing plant wee established. Assembly of FN-16 MANPADS was to start in Bangladesh under ToT from China.

Navy

Bangladesh gained a large sea area in the Bay of Bengal after resolving disputes with India and Myanmar. Bangladesh had only a coastal navy with limited capacity to patrol the deep sea area. The government understood the necessity of a well-equipped navy with the capabilities to face conventional or unconventional threats.

The Navy's surface combat capability was increased. New and refurbished vessels were added. Many old vessels were decommissioned. Two Ex-Royal Navy frigates, BNS Abu Bakar and BNS Ali Haider were replaced by two Chinese Type 053H2 frigates. The US Coast Guard provided two Hamilton class high endurance cutters, now serving as frigates. These vessels, BNS Somudra Joy and BNS Somudra Avijan, were to be equipped with anti-ship missiles, SAMs, CIWS and torpedoesThe US Coast Guard offered two Island-class patrol boats.

Two Ex-Royal Navy Castle-class patrol vessels were equipped with anti-ship missiles to serve as corvettes, named BNS Dhaleshwari and BNS Bijoy. Two Type 056 corvettes, BNS Shadhinota and BNS Prottoy which will be commissioned in 2015 were purchased. Two more corvettes were ordered in July 2015.

To enhance patrolling capacity, Bangladesh acquired two Durjoy-class LPCs, BNS Durjoy and BNS Nirmul in 2013 from China. Five homemade Padma-class Patrol Vessels were commissioned in 2013 and 2014. To increase surveying capacity, BN purchased an Ex-Royal Navy survey ship, commissioned as BNS Anushandhan.

The Bangladesh Navy inaugurated its aviation wing in 2011 with two AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters. In 2013, two Dornier 228 NGs were added.

To form a three-dimensional force, Bangladesh Navy intended to acquire a submarine, begun in 2003. The project was scrapped later due to political tensions. The project was renewed in 2009. Two refurbished Type 035G submarines were transferred to Bangladesh Navy by China on November 2016 and are expected to join the fleet beginning of 2017..

In 2013, Bangladesh Navy took delivery of its first homemade warship, a Padma-class Patrol Vessel, BNS Padma, built at Khulna Shipyard. Four such vessels were delivered. In 2014, Khulna Shipyard contracted with BN to construct two Durjoy-class LPCs, expected to be delivered in 2016. Bangladesh also acquired the technology for the Type 056 corvette and planned to build some by 2019. Several LCUs and LCTs were built there. Narayanganj Dockyard constructed two LCTs, finished in 2015. An oil tanker, made by Ananda Shipyard, was commissioned in 2015. Two tugboats for submarine were constructed in 2016 at Khulna Shipyard.

Bangladesh Navy has sought Tk.4000 crore (40 billion) from the government to buy two new frigates, Tk.1000 crore (10B) for two old frigates, Tk.1,600 crore (16B) for two corvettes, Tk.800 crore (8B) for two large patrol craft, Tk.200 crore (2B) for two patrol ships, Tk.200 crore (2B) for a training ship, Tk.200 crore (2B) for a logistic ship, Tk.100 crore (1B) for a fleet tanker, Tk.400 crore (4B) for four mine counter measure vessels, Tk.240 crore (2.4B) for a floating dockyard, Tk.250 crore (2.5B) for two maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), Tk. 160 crore (1.6B) for two helicopters, Tk. 1,000 crore (10B) for an oceanographic research vessel, and Tk. 400 crore (4B) to procure a rescue and salvage ship by 2020. Sources stated that, within 2016 Bangladesh Navy will get 11 naval vessels.

Bangladesh negotiated with China for a loan of $1 billion to set up different infrastructures and to buy naval equipment.

Offers to set up a shore-based coastal defence system were received from Russia, India and China. Russia offered a combination of BAL E and Klub M systems, India offered BrahMos coastal defence system and China offered a combination of C-602 and CX-1 systems and other sensors.

A submarine base was under construction at Pekua in Cox's Bazar. A new base was planned at Rabanabad in Patuakhali, which would become the country's largest naval base. The base was to have submarine berthing and aviation facilities. A full-fledged naval fleet in Khulna Naval Region was to be completed by 2016.

Air Force

Forces Goal 2030 plans to make the Bangladesh Air Force a technologically advanced, well-trained and well-equipped force that can deter any threat. These plans emphasize strengthening air power and air defense capabilities.

The Air Force bought modern radar systems. JH-16 and YLC-2 radar systems were procured from China in 2013, while JY-11B systems were to be delivered. Gamma DE and Kasta 2E radar systems purchased from Russia under the $1 billion defense deal were to be delivered in 2016. Air Force also ordered Selex RAT-31DL radar from Italy in 2016.

In 2011, BAF inducted its first SAM system, the FM 90, from China. In 2014, BAF procured one regiment of LY-80E medium range SAM systems which were to be delivered in 2015.

In 2016 12 new PT-6 Basic trainers were to be procured to replace the fleet of old PT-6s. BAF procured nine K-8 Advance jet trainers to complement the fleet of seven L-39s. In 2015, BAF added three Let L-410 Turbolets into a newly formed squadron of Transport trainers. The Air Force also procured 16 Yakovlev Yak-130 Lead-in fighter trainer aircraft from Russia. The first six aircraft were delivered while the other ten were to be delivered in 2016.

The Bangladesh Air Force procured eleven Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters from Russia from 2010 to 2015 that can be used for both transport and attack roles. BAF also procured two AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters from Italy for maritime SAR operations. One Mil Mi-171E helicopter and five Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters are on order.

Four Lockheed C-130 Hercules were to be procured from the US Air Force, along with 20 Rolls-Royce T56 engines, training and other equipment and services associated with the upgrade.

BAF intended to acquire ten squadrons of 4++ generation fighters by 2030. These ten squadrons were to consist of four multirole and six air superiority squadrons. BAF planned to have at least four squadrons of 4++ generation fighters by 2021.

Two new bases were set up, Bangabandhu air base at Dhaka and another forward operation base at Cox’s Bazar.

The government set up Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre in Dhaka to attain self-sufficiency in building and maintaining aircraft. An overhaul plant for F-7 aircraft were set up for maintenance of BAFs F-7 fleet. With Russian assistance, another maintenance plant for Mi-17 helicopters is under development there.

On 25 January 2015, Minister for Public Administration Syed Ashraful Islam said that the government planned to buy multirole combat aircraft, medium range fixed wing transport aircraft and helicopter trainer.

Army

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Navy

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Submarines

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Air Force

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Deals