Rokan's Journal

Brig. Gen. HRM Rokan Uddin,psc, PhD.

Bangladesh’s geographic position places it not only in South Asia, but at the heart of a strategic corridor stretching across India–Myanmar–China and the Bay of Bengal. As the only mid-sized coastal power in the bay, Bangladesh finds itself at the nexus of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, India’s “Act East” policy, the security crisis in Myanmar and Rakhine, and even the geostrategic rivalry between the United States and China.

Despite this strategic importance, over the past decade and a half Bangladesh failed to develop its defense and security policies with the urgency required to protect its national interests. The principal culprit in this failure has been Indian influence and political intervention.

Under Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule, Bangladesh–India relations became dependent to the point where agreements on water sharing, transit, deep-sea port use, defense cooperation, and intelligence coordination limited Bangladesh’s strategic autonomy. When Bangladesh attempted to procure defense materials from China, India’s displeasure hindered these efforts. Even deals with countries like Israel were approached cautiously, driven less by national strategy and more by the need to appease India.

In 2013, Bangladesh was in advanced stages of negotiation with China for the procurement of air defense radars and surface-to-air missile systems. However, following expressions of “deep concern” from Indian diplomatic sources, the deal was abruptly shelved.

When Bangladesh planned to acquire advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drone swarms, or long-range missile systems from Turkey, China, or Pakistan, India engaged in strategic lobbying with supplier nations and even leveraged international platforms to dissuade them.

Procurement from Israel, a technologically advanced defense exporter, was avoided not because of a lack of need, but because India discouraged Dhaka from engaging with Tel Aviv—despite India itself being one of Israel’s biggest arms customers.

This constant intrusion created a chilling effect within Bangladesh’s political and defense establishment. Senior defense officials became hesitant to propose modernization projects fearing backlash from Indian-friendly political authorities. Bureaucratic bottlenecks were deliberately introduced in procurement processes. The political leadership, obsessed with keeping Delhi satisfied, viewed any attempt to assert strategic independence as a threat to its own survival.

The cumulative impact was catastrophic for Bangladesh’s defense preparedness. The Air Force still flies decades-old F-7 aircraft—an outdated platform prone to malfunctions and increasingly unfit for modern air combat. The Navy, despite being a coastal force in a geopolitically sensitive maritime zone like the Bay of Bengal, lacks submarine-launched ballistic missile capability, early warning systems, and robust anti-submarine warfare assets. The Army remains under-equipped with outdated armored personnel carriers, low-range artillery, and minimal drone or electronic warfare integration. There is no credible cyber warfare infrastructure, despite the global shift towards hybrid warfare, and Bangladesh’s growing vulnerability to digital espionage and psychological operations (PSYOPS).

This disarmament is a strategic design by a powerful neighbor to keep Bangladesh compliant and reliant rather than strong and sovereign. Such weakness not only invites external threats but also undermines internal security.

Now, as Bangladesh is undergoing political transition and can assert itself as an independent and dignified nation, ignoring defense is no longer an option. It’s time to match our military capabilities to our geopolitical significance. We don’t seek war, but without preparation, peace is illusory. Strengthening defense is now a national imperative.

Currently, celebrations and parades have overshadowed modernization. Cosmetic changes—uniforms, decor, limited tech updates—are no substitute for heavy-lift weapons: long-range missiles, air defense systems, submarines, autonomous drone squadrons, electronic warfare, and cyber-response units have been completely neglected. The Air Force still trains pilots on decades-old Chinese jets prone to mechanical failure, sometimes costing lives. Navy submarines and aircraft carriers remain dreams. The army still lacks modern tanks and automated combat systems.

India persistently blocks our defense advancements. Whenever Bangladesh seeks advanced military equipment, Indian diplomatic and intelligence pressure on suppliers halts or restricts deals. Even exploring procurement from China, Turkey, Pakistan, or Russia triggers Indian disapproval in international forums.

India’s interference directly undermines Bangladesh’s strategic independence. In its wake, the country has become a place where speaking of defense modernization is considered “sensitive” or even taboo—yet national defense and preparedness are essential components of sovereignty. A nation weak in defense is vulnerable not only externally, but internally.

There is no room for delay. Bangladesh faces future challenges that demand readiness: balancing Sino-U.S. rivalry, resisting Indian hegemony, handling the Rohingya crisis’s security dimensions, maritime competition in the Bay, and regional insurgent threats. Our armed forces must be equipped for both external deterrence and internal security, and to play a proactive role in global geopolitics.

Investment in defense is no longer optional. Bangladesh must acquire modern weaponry, advanced training infrastructure, resilient logistics, and an integrated cyber defense command. Establishing domestic defense industries and securing technology transfers through bilateral and multilateral agreements is now essential. A national defense university and research center must be built to foster strategic analysis.

Defense is more than weapons procurement—it’s the foundation of a comprehensive strategic security architecture. Modern war is not just guns and tanks; it’s cyber-attacks, drone warfare, electronic and information warfare. Bangladesh’s military must also master simulation and AI-based training, advanced command-and-control systems, and integrated joint-force capabilities. Public-private partnerships for local defense industries, and mandatory technology transfer clauses in procurement, are urgently needed. A modern defense university will serve as the intellectual engine of national security.

Defense diplomacy must form the backbone of our strategic posture. Sending senior military officers abroad as part of a specialized defense diplomatic corps will enhance partnership building, joint exercises, and technology acquisition. Bangladesh must assert its defense presence internationally, with confidence akin to developed nations. Achieving this requires political resolve, professional planning, and high-level institutional coordination. A professional and dignified military is the cornerstone of a secure nation.

Today, Bangladesh must send a clear message: “We refuse to remain weak. We can and will defend our existence.” Achieving independence was a heroic saga; safeguarding it will be an even greater challenge. With global power dynamics shifting and threats evolving, only a powerful defense architecture can secure our dignity and sovereignty. Will we leave future generations a legacy of fear, or of courage and strength? Now is the time for Bangladesh to make the bold choice: to secure its future by building credible defense power.