The Bangladesh Armed Forces (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ সশস্ত্র বাহিনী, romanized: Bāṅlādēś Sôśôstrô Bāhinī) are the military forces of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. They consist of the three uniformed military services: the Bangladesh Army, the Bangladesh Navy and the Bangladesh Air Force. The Armed Forces are under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Defence of the Government of Bangladesh, and are directly administered by the Armed Forces Division of the Prime Minister's Office.[5] The President of Bangladesh serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Bangladesh has the third-largest defence budget in South Asia, The Bangladeshi military is the 37th strongest in the world and the third most powerful military force in South Asia.[6] Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Coast Guard are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs.[7] during peacetime, but during wartime they fall under the command of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Navy respectively.
Military policy is formulated and executed by the Armed Forces Division (AFD) whereas the Ministry of Defence (MoD) does not exercise any operational or policy authority over the Armed Forces. Since independence, the AFD and MoD has been led by the Prime Minister. To coordinate military policy with foreign and intelligence policy, both the president and the prime minister are advised by a six-member advisory board which consists of the three military services' Chiefs of Staff, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, and military secretaries to the president and the prime minister. The directors general of the NSI, the DGFI and the BGB also serve in an advisory capacity, when invited.[8][9]
Armed Forces Day is observed on 21 November and commemorates the founding of the three services of the Armed Forces who subsequently initiated a joint military operation against the occupying Pakistani Armed Forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War.[10][11] Official functions are held across the country including at Bangabhaban, the Armed Forces Division Headquarters at Dhaka Cantonment, all military cantonments and at every military installation throughout the Bangladesh.[12]
The Bengal Army was formed in 1765 by the British East India Company. The first native infantry was formed in 1757.[13] In the 19th century, the Bengal Army was merged into the British Indian Army under the British Raj. The Royal Indian Navy was formed in 1830. The Royal Indian Air Force was formed in 1932. The Armed Forces were raised from the armed forces of the British Raj, which included the Bengal Regiment and major installations such as the Dhaka Cantonment, Chittagong Cantonment and the Jahangirabad Cantonment.The following includes a list of conflicts which occurred within the territory of Bangladesh under British rule.
Even though the Bengal army eventually amalgamated within the British Indian Army, there was no inauguration of Bengal infantry Regiment until the independence of Pakistan in 1947.
With the partitioning of India on August 15, 1947, the territory constituting modern Bangladesh was partitioned from the province of Bengal as East Bengal, joining the newly created state of Pakistan. Ethnic and sectional discrimination prevailed in all sectors of the state. Like other government sectors, Bengalis were under-represented in the Pakistani military too. Officers of Bengali origin in the different wings of the armed forces made up just 5% of overall force by 1965.[14] West Pakistanis believed that Bengalis were not "martially inclined" unlike Pashtuns and Punjabis; the "Martial Races" notion was dismissed as ridiculous and humiliating by Bengalis.[14] Moreover, despite huge defence spending, East Pakistan received none of the benefits, such as contracts, purchasing and military support jobs. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 over Kashmir also highlighted the sense of military insecurity among Bengalis as only an under-strength infantry division and 15 combat aircraft without tank support were in East Pakistan to repel any Indian retaliations during the conflict.[15][16]
The East Bengal Regiment was formed on 15 February 1948 following Pakistan's independence and transition from post British rule, composed exclusively of men from the western part of the country. The first East Bengal Regiment was composed of Bengali members of the British Indian Army Pioneer Corps and Bihar Regiment of the abolished British-Indian army. Between 1948 and 1965, a total of eight battalions of EBR were raised.[17][18]
Following the victory of the Awami League in the 1970 elections, then-president General Yahya Khan refused to appoint its leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the prime minister and launched a brutal attack named Operation Searchlight on the civilians of the then East Pakistan, using the Pakistan Army to repress political movements.[19] The number of people killed by Pakistani forces vary from a minimum of around 300,000 to a maximum of around 3 million.[20][21] Responding to Mujib's call for rebellion, many students, workers and other civilians mutinied against Pakistan and raised the Mukti Bahini, a guerrilla force. Later on, many Bengali officers and units from the Pakistan Army and East Pakistan Rifles mutinied against their West Pakistani counterparts and joined the Mukti Bahini.[22][23][24] On 17 April 1971, M. A. G Osmani took oath as the commander-in-chief of Mukti Bahini. While the war raged on, the necessity of a well-trained armed force was always felt. During the first Bangladesh Sector Commanders Conference, held from 11 to 17 July 1971, the Bangladesh Forces started its journey composed of the revolting Bengali members of the Pakistan Army and EPR.[25] In this historic conference the field command structure, sector reorganization, reinforcement, appointment of field commanders and tactics of warfare were decided upon and carried out. On 21 November 1971, the Bangladesh Forces was divided into three separate services as Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force.
The Bangladesh Forces received modest assistance from the Indian Government soon after the start of the war.[26] On 3 December 1971, the India-Pakistan war broke out and Indian troops entered Bangladesh allied with the Bangladesh Armed Forces.[27] On 16 December 1971, the Pakistani military surrendered to the joint Indian and Bangladesh forces.[28]
The newly formed Bangladeshi armed forces incorporated some of the units and guerrillas of the Mukti Bahini.[29] Gen. Osmani, who had led the Mukti Bahini was appointed the General of the Bangladesh armed forces.[30] For many years, there was active discrimination in favour of the inductees from the Mukti Bahini against those Bengali officers who had continued service in the Pakistani armed forces or had been detained in West Pakistan.[29][31] A group of angered officers assassinated the president Sheikh Mujib on 15 August 1975 and established a regime with politician Khondaker Mostaq Ahmed as President of Bangladesh and new army chief Maj. Gen. Ziaur Rahman.[31] The military itself was subject of divisions as Mujib's assassins were overthrown by the pro-Mujib Brig. Gen. Khaled Mosharraf on 3 November, who himself was soon overthrown by a socialist group of officers under Col. Abu Taher on 7 November who returned Ziaur Rahman to power—an event now called the Sipoy-Janata Biplob (Soldiers and People's Coup).[32] Under the presidency of Ziaur Rahman, the military was reorganised to remove conflicts between rival factions and discontented cadre.[33] However, Ziaur Rahman was himself overthrown in a 1981 coup attempt,[34] and a year later, Lt. Gen. Hossain Mohammad Ershad took power from the elected government of president Abdus Sattar. The military remained the most important force in national politics under the regimes of Ziaur Rahman and later Hossain Mohammad Ershad until democracy was restored in 1991.[33]
Having relied primarily on India and the Soviet Union for military aid, Bangladesh has also developed military ties with the People's Republic of China and the United States. The Bangladesh Army has been actively involved in United Nations Peace Support Operations (UNPSO). During the first Gulf War in 1991, the Bangladesh Army sent a 2,193 member team to monitor peace in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The Bangladesh Army also participated in peace keeping activities in Namibia, Cambodia, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, Mozambique, former Yugoslavia, Liberia, Haiti, Tajikistan, Western Sahara, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Georgia, East Timor, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire and Ethiopia. As of October 2008, Bangladesh remained the second largest contributor with 9,800 troops in the UN Peacekeeping forces.
Until a peace accord was signed in 1997, the Bangladeshi military engaged in counterinsurgency operations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts fighting the Shanti Bahini separatist group. In 2001, Bangladeshi military units engaged in clashes with the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along the northern border.[35]Standoffs have occasionally occurred at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, including in 1991 and 2008. Most of the standoffs took place, when Myanmar attempted to force Rohingyas into Bangladesh. In 2008, the two countries deployed warships after Myanmar attempted to explore a disputed Bay of Bengal seabed for oil and gas. The dispute was resolved at an international tribunal in 2012. Bangladesh and Myanmar have also conducted counter-insurgency operations on the border.
Several projects and schemes aiming to expand and modernize the Bangladeshi armed forces were launched by the government of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Forces Goal 2030 was launched by the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to secure new equipment for the Bangladeshi military.
The command and control of Bangladesh Armed Forces is exercised by Armed Forces Division. It is directly supervised by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The headquarters of Armed Forces Division is located at Dhaka Cantonment.
In 1976, the then President Ziaur Rahman organised and created the Commander-in-Chief's Secretariat under the office of the President, consolidating central authority dealing with all national security issues while operating under various degrees of authority and responsibility under Ministry of Defense. President Abdus Sattar intended to further organize and structure the body into Bangladesh National Security Council under the office of the President. However, President Hossain Mohammad Ershad put an immediate hold to bringing the NSC under full civilian control after seizing state power. It was named the Supreme Command Headquarters after 8 years, on 10 November 1986 sealing armed forces control over national security. By 11 October 1994, the Armed Forces Division was integrated into the Prime Minister's Office and concurrently the combined armed forces authority was transferred to this government body.
The division is composed of Principal Staff Officer's Office, five Directorates and an Administrative Company.
The Directorates are:
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During the sensitive and formative years after the end of the war, personnel of the Mukti Bahini were absorbed into different branches of Bangladesh Army. In 1974, Bangladeshi soldiers and officers repatriated from Pakistan after the Bangladesh Liberation War were absorbed into the Bangladesh Army. Bangladesh has not conscripted recruits to the armed forces since its creation as a state in 1971, although there is provision for conscription in times of emergency under the 1952 Army Act.[36][37]
During the 1972-73 tenure, engineers, signals, army services, ordnance, military police, remount veterinary and, farm and medical corps was established in Bangladesh Army. Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) was established in Comilla cantonment in 1974. On 11 January 1975, the passing out parade of the first Bangladesh Army short course took place. In 1975, the President Guard Regiment (PGR) was established.
Bangladesh Army is the largest branch of the armed forces with 160,000 active troops and 13,408 staffs in service. The headquarters located at Dhaka Cantonment beside the armed forces division headquarters. The army is commanded by Chief of Army Staff, in dictum by a four star general appointed by the President with advisory consultation of prime minister. As of 2024, General Waker-uz-Zaman is the current chief of army staff. The army also maintains a wide rage of limited companies like Sena Kalyan Sangstha and Bangladesh Diesel Plant as foundation stones for welfare and benefits of military families. The Army Aviation Group is in progress of Two Eurocopter AS365 Dauphins were put into service in 2012.[38] 12 Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters were procured since 2016. Two C-295 transport aircraft have been bought from Spain so far. The Army took delivery of six Diamond DA40 trainer aircraft from Austria in 2020. The first 2 Bell 407 GXI helicopters were supplied by 2022. In September 2021, the Army issued a tender notice to procure 8 heavy attack Helicopters. The Army was interested in purchasing the Boeing AH-64 Apache, Eurocopter Tiger or Leonardo's AW249.[39][40]
Since Independence of the country, the army was involved in 29 military coups, several border skirmishes with India and Myanmar and ongoing conflict at Chittagong Hill Tracts. At the outbreak of the insurgency, the Government of Bangladesh deployed the Bangladesh Army to begin Counter-insurgency operations. The then-President of Bangladesh Major general Ziaur Rahman created a Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board under an army general to address the socio-economic needs of the region, but the entity proved unpopular and became a source of antagonism and mistrust among the local tribes against the government. The government failed to address the long-standing issue of the displacement of tribal people, numbering an estimated 100,000 caused by the construction of the Kaptai Dam by the then Pakistan government in 1962. Displaced tribesmen did not receive compensation and more than 40,000 Chakma tribals had fled to India. In the 1980s, the government began settling Bengalis in the region, causing the eviction of many tribesmen and a significant alteration of demographics. Having constituted only 11.6% of the regional population in 1974, the number of Bangalis grew by 1991 to constitute 48.5% of the regional population. Bangladesh army also played a pivotal role in maintaining and sheltering Rohingyas during 2015 Rohingya refugee crisis.[41][42]Bangladesh Army also has been actively involved in a number of United Nations Peace Support Operations (UNPSO) since its formation in the 1970s. Its first deployments came in 1988, when it participated in two operations – UNIIMOG in Iraq and UNTAG in Namibia[43] President HM Ershad initiated these deployments for the first time, starting with the contribution to UNIIMOG in Iraq.
Later, as part of the UNIKOM force deployed to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia following the Gulf War, the Bangladesh Army sent a mechanised infantry battalion (approx. 2,193 personnel). Since then, the Bangladesh Army has been involved in up to thirty different UNPKOs in as many as twenty five countries.[43] This has included activities in Angola, Namibia, Cambodia, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Uganda, Rwanda, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Mozambique, former Yugoslavia, Liberia, Haiti, Tajikistan, Western Sahara, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Georgia, East Timor, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire and Ethiopia.
Bangladesh has consistently made large contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations. As of May 2007, Bangladesh had major deployments in Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Lebanon, Sudan, Timor-Leste and Côte d'Ivoire.[44] With 10,736 troops deployed, it ranks first in personnel contributions to UN peacekeeping.[45] The government declined to participate in Iraq on a request from the United States. The deployment to Liberia began in October 2003 and has remained at a level of about 3,200 who are participating in peacekeeping, charitable activities and infrastructure development.
Cantonments are Bangladesh Army military bases and part of military structure and formation.[48]
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After independence, in November–December 1972, the BAF received a significant donation from the former USSR. Among the aircraft delivered were ten single-seat Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MFs, two twin-seat Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21UMs, and twelve Mil Mi-8 utility helicopters. Later on, China also supplied some equipment. Since its establishment on 28 September 1971, the Bangladesh Air Force has been involved in various combat and humanitarian operations, from the Bangladesh Liberation War in which it was born, to support international efforts including United Nations peacekeeping missions. Operation Kilo Flight was a famous operation conducted by the Bangladesh Air Force during the Bangladesh Liberation War. It is considered the most versatile force in the armed forces.[49]
Apart from the aircraft of Kilo Flight, which were donated by India, most Pakistan Air Force aircraft grounded in Dhaka due to runway cratering by the Indian Air Force during the liberation war, were sabotaged before surrender. Of these, four Canadair Sabres were also returned to service by Bangladeshi ground technicians in 1972. The Pakistan Air Force prior to 1971 had many Bengali pilots, air traffic controllers, technicians and administrative officers and the general Bengali representation in the Pakistan Air Force was around 15% (and 18% in the officer ranks) of the 25,000 odd manpower of the Pakistan Air Force in 1971, which although lower than their share in the population (50%) was much higher than the 6% numbers in the Army. Many of them distinguished themselves during the Bangladesh Liberation War, they provided the nascent Bangladesh Air Force with a good number of trained personnel. It had grown with the repatriation of the around 2,000 Air Force personnel from Pakistan in 1973 after the Simla Agreement.
The headquarters is located at Dhaka Cantonment and is commanded by Chief of Air Staff in dictum by a four star air-chief marshal appointed by the President with advisory consultation of prime minister. As of 2024 Air-Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan is the current chief of air staff. Since 2010, the BAF has taken the delivery of sixteen Chengdu F-7BGI fighter aircraft, sixteen Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced jet trainers, two C-130J transport aircraft,[citation needed] nine K-8W jet trainer aircraft, three Let L-410 Turbolet transport trainer aircraft[50] and twenty three CJ-6 basic trainers.[51] Process is going on for the procurement of sixteen multirole combat aircraft.[52]
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The BAF has also taken the delivery of 21 Mi-171Sh combat transport helicopters, four AgustaWestland AW139 maritime SAR helicopters and two AW 119KX training helicopters since 2010. The procurement process for eight attack helicopters is ongoing.[52]On 20 June 2018, the Bangladesh Air Force signed a contract with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) for the procurement of seven K-8 jet training aircraft.[53][54]On 15 October 2020, BAF received these seven K-8 jet trainers.[55]The air forces also being deployed around various UN Missions. More than 600+ BAF personnel, including officers and airmen, and 10 BAF helicopters are currently deployed to various UN missions. Another C-130 transport aircraft is providing support to a UN mission in Africa. With the deployment of C-130 aircraft and its personnel, Bangladesh became the largest troop-contributing country on UN peacekeeping missions.[56]
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In 1971, it was imperative for the occupation force to keep ports and harbours operative and the sea lines of communication open. The Bangladesh Navy fought to block the sea lines of communication, and to make the sea and river ports inoperative. They attacked all the seaports including many river ports. Operation Jackpot is one of the best known and most successful operations. They carried out mining in the Pasur River Channel by patrol craft. With other fighters they also carried out attacks against the Pakistan Army. As a result, Bangladesh became an independent state within the shortest possible time.[57]
After independence, especially in the 1970s, additional naval infrastructure was required. Two ex-Royal Navy frigates joined the Bangladesh Navy as BNS Umar Farooq and BNS Ali Haider in 1976 and 1978 respectively. In 1982, a third ex-Royal Navy frigate joined the BN as BNS Abu Bakr. The acquisition of these three frigates is considered the principal foundation of the Bangladesh Navy.
It is the second largest branch of the armed forces. With 27,500 active personnel and 2,500 staff in service its scope plays pivotal role in sea-based terrorism, piracy and drug-human trafficking across Indian Ocean (.i.e., Bay of Bengal). The headquarters of Bangladesh navy is situated at Banani, adjacent to Dhaka Cantonment and commanded by the Chief of Naval Staff who is by statute a four star admiral appointed by the President with advisory consultation of prime minister. As of 2023 Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan is the current chief of naval staff. Due to the importance of Bangladesh's vast maritime area of 118,813 square kilometers, high dependence of country's economy in maritime resources, and the geopolitical importance of the Indian Ocean, the Bangladesh Navy was given significant priority in the modernization program. The program aims to transform the Bangladesh Navy into a modern, well-equipped three-dimensional force capable of conducting multi-domain operations. Under the program, the Navy has witnessed significant growth in firepower and weapon manufacturing capabilities. The expansion of the Navy's surface fleet and force size is simultaneously ongoing. As of 2020, the navy acquired two submarines, eight frigates, six corvettes,[58] eleven patrol vessel[59] and a significant number of other surface combatants.[60]
Under the modernization, indigenous shipyards have made significant strides in enhancing naval shipbuilding capabilities. There are three indigenous shipyards capable of developing large surface combatants for the navy: Khulna Shipyard Limited, Dockyard and Engineering Works Limited, and Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, all fully owned by the Bangladesh Navy. Khulna Shipyard has successfully launched the program of building eight Durjoy-class and 23 Padma-class patrol craft. Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, ownership of which was transferred to the Navy in 2015, has been tasked with constructing six 2,000-tonne offshore patrol vessels and six multirole guided missile frigates.[61]
Alongside the development of the Navy's water capabilities, Bangladesh Naval Aviation, the aviation wing of the Navy, was established in 2011. Naval Aviation added 4 Dornier 228 NG aircraft from Germany and two AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters from Italy.
The Navy attained three-dimensional capabilities with the establishment of a submarine fleet, with two Ming-class submarines acquired from the People's Republic of China.
The Bangladesh Navy has operated a submarine base named BNS Sheikh Hasina, at Pekua in Cox's Bazar.[62] Commissioned in 2023, the submarine base has been one of the Bangladesh Navy's largest projects. The largest naval base in the country was constructed at Rabanabad in Patuakhali, named BNS Sher-e-Bangla. The base has submarine berthing and aviation facilities.[63] Another operational base, named BNS Sheikh Mujib, has been constructed in Khilkhet in Dhaka.[64] The construction works of a fleet headquarters at the Sandwip channel of Chattogram, with ship berthing facilities, is also ongoing.[65] The Navy has taken initiative to produce missiles and IFF systems in Bangladesh.[66]
The Border Guard Bangladesh is the oldest paramilitary organization in Bangladesh. With primary responsibility of Border control, the BGB is entrusted to defend the 4,427 kilometres (2,751 mi) border of Bangladesh with India and Myanmar. BGB boasts a military history spanning over two centuries.[68] During peacetime, this force is also responsible for anti-smuggling operations,[69] investigating cross border crime and extending governmental authority to remote and isolated areas. From time to time, BGB has also been called upon to assist the administration in the maintenance of internal law & order, relief and rehabilitation work after any kind of natural disaster.[70][71] During wartime, BGB comes under the control of the Ministry of Defence as an auxiliary force to the Bangladesh Army.
Bangladesh Ansar is a paramilitary auxiliary force responsible for the preservation of internal security and law enforcement in Bangladesh.[72][73] It is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the government of Bangladesh.[74] It has 6 million active and reserved members. It is the largest paramilitary force in the world.[75]
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Bangladesh Coast Guard is a paramilitary force which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its officers and sailors are transferred from the Bangladesh Navy, and most of the medical officers are transferred from the Bangladesh Army. The Bangladesh Coast Guard also performs the duty of maritime border security of Bangladesh. The headquarters is located in Agargaon. The coast guard has 3,339 personnel[76] and 63 ships. As per the short-term plan, the manpower of the force will be increased from 3,305 to 6,197. The organization of the force will be updated. Currently coast guard runs under three zonal headquarters. The coast guard will have three branches, six directorates, three regional headquarters and two more zonal headquarters within 2020. Four composite stations and one hospital will also be set up within this period.
The coast guard has purchased four Minerva-class corvettes from Italy which were later refurbished and transformed into offshore patrol vessels which are currently known as Leader-class offshore patrol vessel.[77] The original sensors and armaments were removed from the ship and replaced by Bangladesh Coast Guard requirements. They are currently armed with one Oerlikon KBA 25mm gun. Already two vessels are in service and the remaining two were delivered in December 2017.[78][79] Contract has been signed with Khulna Shipyard for three Padma class Inshore Patrol Vessels in 2016.[80] Separate contracts has been signed with Dockyard and Engineering Works Limited for the construction of two Shobuj Bangla class Inshore Patrol Vessels[81] two 52 m Inshore Patrol Vessels[82] and two 43 m Fast Patrol Boats.[83] Within 2020, the force plans to buy four more Offshore Patrol Vessels and two Pollution Control Vessels. The number of small patrol crafts will be increased to 38 within this period.
Bangladesh Coast Guard is also planning to introduce hovercraft into its service for better patrolling capacity through the coast. At least two hovercraft will join the force by 2020.
The coast guard will start its journey as a two dimensional force by inaugurating its aviation wing in this period. 2-4 maritime search and rescue (MSAR) helicopters will be procured for the force within 2020. Surveillance Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)s may be introduced also in this period.
Coast guard will start its journey towards modern surveillance technologies within 2020. The installation of Long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) and Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) systems will be started within this period.
During the Bangladesh Liberation War, a naval commando unit was placed under Commander-in-chief Colonel M. A. G. Osmani. They conducted major special operations in the seaport of Chittagong and at river ports Mongla, Narayanganj, and Chandpur.[84] The Crack Platoon was another specially trained unit of the Bangladesh Forces.[85]
The first post-independence special forces were launched in 1992.[86]
Special Security Force (SSF) is a Bangladeshi law enforcement agency that provides protection to the President, Prime Minister[87][88] and the Chief Adviser[89] as well as any person designated as a VVIP as per state protocol, including visiting foreign dignitaries.[90][91][92] The mission of the SSF is to provide physical security to the President of Bangladesh, Prime Minister of Bangladesh[93] and any person designated as a very very important person (VVIP) by the Government of Bangladesh.[94] The SSF takes necessary measures in coordination with the civil administration and security and intelligence organizations to prevent future threats to VVIPs and protect VVIPs from active threats. The SSF is also responsible for the security of VVIPs’ offices and residences.[95][96][97]
In 1976, Special Warfare Wing was established at School of Infantry and Tactics in Jalalabad Cantonment. This was the first step towards the formation of a special force in Independent Bangladesh. In 1980, Army commando course and counter-insurgency course started at special warfare wing. In the same year, the Special Warfare Wing was expanded to Special Warfare School. The Army Airborne School was established in 1988 at Sylhet Cantonment under special warfare wing. In 1989, the para training course started for the first time in the special warfare school. On 30 June 1992, the 1st Para Commando Battalion started its journey at Jalalabad Cantonment.[98] The flag of the battalion was raised in May 1993. On 1 June 2015, 1st Para Commando Battalion came out as a full-fledged regiment. After the formation of Ad hoc Para Commando Brigade on 4 September 2016, they started working under the command of the Brigade.
The battalion was awarded the national standard on 2 November 2017 as a recognition of their outstanding works.[99]The 2nd Para Commando Battalion was raised on ad hoc basis[100] along with the headquarters of Para Commando Brigade in 2016.[101] It was finally raised as 2nd Para Commando Battalion in 2019.The official flag raising ceremony of the battalion was held on 5 November 2020 at Sylhet Cantonment.[102]
The Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (SWADS) is an elite special operational unit of the Bangladesh Navy. Members are professional soldiers and are recruited through the Bangladesh Navy. The SWADS is organized, trained and equipped along the lines of SEAL/UDT teams of the United States Navy SEALs and the Republic of Korea Navy UDT/SEAL.
As of 2014, SWADS is believed to number a few hundred strong,[103] and is based in the southern port city of Chittagong.[104] Its base is formally known as "BNS Nirvik".[105]
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SWADS operatives are volunteers from the Navy and are trained in Bangladesh and abroad. They do the Naval Commando Basic Course (similar to BUD/S of US Navy SEALs) from the SWADS Training area at Rangamati and complete their airborne qualification course from army's School of Infantry and Tactics, Sylhet. Further specialist courses are held in various naval and army training bases in Bangladesh as well as abroad. The average drop rate of NCB is 95%, and this is only the first step of becoming a SWADS operator. SWADS operators receive training from Republic of Korea Navy UDT/SEALs, UK's SAS & SBS, US Marine Force Recon, US Navy SEALS and Turkish SAT.
The 41st Airborne Squadron is a special operations force of the Bangladesh Air Force formed to protect the country’s air bases, aircraft and other air force installations and assets. It serves as special operational unit direct under command of BAF Base Khademul Bashar.[106]
Officers are trained and educated for three years at the Bangladesh Military Academy, Bhatiary, Bangladesh Naval Academy at Patenga, both located in Chittagong and Bangladesh Air Force Academy located in Jessore. For advance training during their career, officers are sent to Bangladesh Defence Services Command and Staff College at Mirpur, while senior officers attend the National Defense University for Armed Forces War Course. Many attend the Military Institute of Science and Technology while serving. Officers of the Army Medical Corps are recruited after graduation from both military or civil medical colleges. They undergo basic military training at Bangladesh Military Academy followed by professional training in medical corps centre and Armed Forces Medical Institute. Recently cadets of Armed Forces Medical College also started joining the services directly.[107]
Bangladeshi military ranks, essentially corresponds to those used by the armed forces of the commonwealth nations.
The rank insignia for commissioned officers for the Armed forces respectively.
Bangladesh has made a long term modernisation plan for its Armed Forces named Forces Goal 2030.[112] The plan includes the modernization and expansion of all equipment and infrastructures and providing enhanced training.[112]
The following are the various gallantry, service and war medals of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.[113][self-published source?][114][self-published source?][115][self-published source?][116][117][self-published source?]
Bir Sreshtho-(Bengali: বীরশ্রেষ্ঠ; literally, "The Most Valiant Hero"), the highest gallantry award
Bir Uttom- (Bengali: বীর উত্তম; literally, "Better among Braves"), the second highest gallantry award
Bir Bikrom- (Bengali: বীর বিক্রম; literally, "Valiant hero"), the third highest gallantry award
Bir Protik- (Bengali: বীর প্রতীক; literally, "Symbol of Bravery or Idol of Courage"), the fourth highest gallantry award
Order of Military Merit
Jestha Padak I (10 years service)
Jestha Padak II (20 years service)
Jestha Padak III (30 years service)আইনমন্ত্রী আনিসুল হক বলেছেন, সশস্ত্র বাহিনীর মোট সদস্য সংখ্যা বর্তমানে দুই লাখ চার হাজার ৫৯৬ জন। এর মধ্যে ১ লাখ ৬২ হাজার ১২৫ জন সেনাবাহিনী। ২৫ হাজার ৮১ জন নৌবাহিনীর এবং ১৭ হাজার ৩৯০ জন বিমান বাহিনীর সদস্য।[Law Minister Anisul Haque said that the total number of members of the armed forces is currently two lakh four thousand 596. Among them 1 lakh 62 thousand 125 soldiers. 25 thousand 81 members of Navy and 17 thousand 390 members of Air Force.]
The BDR is essentially a border force designed to be vigilant against illegal intruders. Though the BDR is a para-military force of the country, its importance is no less than that of the regular army. Its other duties are maintaining peace in the frontier tracts, containing smuggling and illegal activities in the border, and even helping the government, when necessary, in maintaining law and order in the country. Consequent upon the army crackdown of 25 March 1971 the Bangali members of the EPR, after putting some initial resistance, escaped to safety and joined the war of liberation. Bangladesh Rifles is now renamed as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The journey of the special force was launched in 1992, said [President] Hamid.
