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The Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air
Force are composed of regular military members. Some of the senior officers and
noncommissioned officers served in the Pakistan military before the 1971 independence war.
Senior officers include "repatriates" who were interned in Pakistan during the
war, and "freedom fighters" who fought against Pakistan. The 110,000-member,
seven-division army is modeled and organized along British lines, similar to other armies
on the Indian subcontinent. However, it has adopted U.S. Army tactical planning
procedures, training management techniques, and noncommissioned officer educational
systems. It also is eager to improve its peacekeeping operations capabilities and is
working with the U.S. military in that area. The Bangladesh Air Force is acquiring four
U.S. C-130 B transport aircraft. These aircraft will improve the military's disaster
response and peacekeeping capabilities. The Air Force also has recently procured eight M
IG 29 fighters from Russia for $124 million. The Bangladesh Navy is mostly limited to
coastal patrolling, but it is paying to have an ULSAN class frigate built in South Korea.
It is supported by artillery, armored, and combat units.
In addition to traditional defense
roles, the military has been called on to provide support to civil authorities for
disaster relief and internal security. The Bangladesh Air Force and Navy, with about 7,000
personnel each, perform traditional military missions. A Coast Guard has been recently
formed, under the Home Ministry, to play a stronger role in the area of anti-smuggling,
anti-piracy, and protection of offshore resources. Recognition of economic and fiscal
constraints has led to the establishment of several paramilitary and auxiliary forces,
including the 40,000-member Bangladesh Rifles; the Ansars and Village Defense Parties
Organization, which claims 64 members in every village in the country; and a 5,000-member
specialized police unit known as the Armed Police. Bangladesh Rifles, under the authority
of the Home Ministry are commanded by army officers who are seconded to the organization.
In addition to in-country military
training, some advanced and technical training is done abroad, including grant aid
training in the United States. China, Pakistan, and eastern Europe are is the major
defense suppliers to Bangladesh, but military leaders are trying to find affordable
alternatives to Chinese equipment.
In 1995 the Bangladesh Air Force
made its largest purchase from the U.S to date--12 T-37 jet trainers. More recently,
Bangladesh procured four C-130 transport aircraft. A 2,300-member Bangladesh Army
contingent served with coalition forces during the 1991 Gulf war. Bangladesh is currently
the second-leading contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, with an infantry battalion
in UNIKOM (Kuwait), an engineer battalion in UNTAET, (East Timor) and another infantry
battalion scheduled for Sierra Leone in May 2000.
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