View source for Bangladesh Army

{{Short description|Land warfare branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces}}
{{pp-pc}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Bangladesh Army
| native_name                   = বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনী
| image                         = Roundel of Bangladesh – Army Aviation.svg
| image_size                    = 180px
| caption                       = [[Insignia]] of the Bangladesh Army
| start_date                    = 26 March 1971<br>({{Age in years and months|1971|03|26}})
| dates                         = 1971- present
| country                       = {{BAN}}
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Army]]
| role                          = [[Land warfare]]
| size                          = 160,000 troops<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2019/09/30/bangladesh-army-named-3rd-most-powerful-in-south-asia-45th-in-the-world|title=Bangladesh Army named 3rd most powerful in South Asia, 45th in the world|website=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|date=30 September 2019|access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mallet |first1=Victor |title=Bangladesh army funded to forget its role as neutral referee |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7baf6f5c-ea74-11e4-a701-00144feab7de |work=[[Financial Times]] |access-date=25 May 2021}}</ref><ref name=personnel>{{cite news |script-title=bn:সশস্ত্রবাহিনীর মোট সদস্য সংখ্যা দুই লাখ চার হাজার ৫৯৬ জন |url=https://www.bd-pratidin.com/news/2017/06/08/238362 |work=[[Bangladesh Pratidin]] |date=8 June 2017 |language=bn |access-date=10 November 2024 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530053352/https://www.bd-pratidin.com/news/2017/06/08/238362 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = personnel2>{{cite news |script-title=bn:সশস্ত্র বাহিনীর সদস্য সংখ্যা ২ লাখ ৪ হাজার ৫৯৬ জন |url=https://dailysangram.com/post/287234-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A7%A8-%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%96-%E0%A7%AA-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A7%AB%E0%A7%AF%E0%A7%AC-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8 |work=[[The Daily Sangram]] |language=bn |access-date=18 May 2021 |archive-date=8 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108091034/https://dailysangram.com/post/287234-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A7%A8-%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%96-%E0%A7%AA-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A7%AB%E0%A7%AF%E0%A7%AC-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />13,408 civilians<ref name=personnel/><ref name=personnel2/>
| command_structure             = {{Flagicon image|Bangladesh Armed Forces Flag.svg|size=23px}} [[Bangladesh Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = [[Dhaka Cantonment]]
| garrison_label                = Army Headquarters
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = "In War, In Peace, We are everywhere for our Nation" <br>{{small|("সমরে আমরা, শান্তিতে আমরা, সর্বত্র আমরা দেশের তরে"}})
| march                         = [[Notuner Gaan|The Song of Youth]] <br>{{small|("নতুনের গান")}}
| colors                        = * [[Service dress uniform|Service uniform]]: Khaki, Phthalo Green<br>{{colour box|#C3B091}} {{colour box|#0F3017}}
* [[Combat uniform]]: Olive, Black, Khaki, Maroon<br> {{colour box|#556B2F}}{{colour box|#000000}}{{colour box|#C3B091}}{{colour box|#7B1113}}
| equipment                     = [[List of equipment of the Bangladesh Army]]
| equipment_label               =
| battles                       =   {{Collapsible list|{{ubl|[[Bangladesh War of Independence]]|[[Chittagong Hill Tracts Conflict|Chittagong Hill Tracts Counter Insurgency]]|[[Sierra Leone Civil War]]
|[[Gulf War]]|[[2015 Bangladesh–Arakan Army border clash]]|[[Operation Thunderbolt (2016)|Operation Thunderbolt]]|[[2017 South Surma Upazila bombings|Operation Twilight]]|[[United Nations peacekeeping]]}}
}}
| anniversaries                 = [[Armed Forces Day (Bangladesh)|Armed Forces Day (21 November)]]
| decorations                   = {{plainlist|
* 1. [[Bir Sreshtho]] {{Flagicon image|Bir Sreshtho ribbon.svg|size=40px}}
* 2. [[Bir Uttom]] {{Flagicon image|Bir Uttom ribbon.svg|size=40px}}
* 3. [[Bir Bikrom]] {{Flagicon image|Bir Bikrom.svg|size=40px}}
* 4. [[Bir Protik]] {{Flagicon image|Bir Protik ribbon.svg|size=40px}}
}}
| battle_honours                = 
| website                       = {{URL|https://www.army.mil.bd|army.mil.bd}}<!-- Commanders -->
| commander1                    = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the President of Bangladesh.svg|size=23px}} [[Mohammed Shahabuddin|President Mohammed Shahabuddin]]
| commander1_label              = [[Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2                    = {{Flagicon image|Chief of Army Staff (Bangladesh) Flag.svg|size=23px}} [[General (Bangladesh)|General]] [[Waker-Uz-Zaman]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Situation brought under control within 48 hours: Army chief |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/situation-brought-under-control-within-48-hours-army-chief-902711 |work=[[The Business Standard]] |date=22 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
| commander2_label              = [[Chief of Army Staff (Bangladesh)|Chief of Army Staff]]
| commander3_label              = [[Chief of the General Staff (Bangladesh)|Chief of General Staff]]
| commander3                    = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Bangladesh Army.svg|size=23px}} [[Lieutenant general (Bangladesh)|Lieutenant-General]] [[Mizanur Rahman Shamim]]
| commander4                    = 
| commander4_label              =
| notable_commanders            = 
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Flag of the Bangladesh Army.svg|centre|180px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = [[List of Bangladeshi flags#Military flags|Flag of the Bangladesh Army]]
| identification_symbol_2       = 
| identification_symbol_3       = 
| identification_symbol_4       = 
| identification_symbol_2_label = 
| identification_symbol_3_label = 
| identification_symbol_4_label = <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_helicopter           = [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|AS365 Dauphin]], [[Bell 206]], [[Mil Mi-17#Variants|Mi-171Sh]], [[Bell 407 | Bell 407GXi]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=BANGLADESH ARMY BELL 407|url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/bangladesh-army-bell-407|url-status=live|website=Scramble|date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809112204/https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/bangladesh-army-bell-407 |archive-date=9 August 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=October 13, 2021|title=Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army at the inauguration of Army Aviation Forward Base, Chittagong and the inclusion of two Bell 406 GXI helicopters.|url=https://twitter.com/theBDarmy/status/1448304845564399621/photo/1|archive-date=28 October 2021|access-date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170613/https://twitter.com/theBDarmy/status/1448304845564399621/photo/1|url-status=live}}</ref>
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = 
| aircraft_recon                = 
| aircraft_trainer              = [[Cessna 152]]
| aircraft_transport            = [[Cessna 208 Caravan|Cessna 208B]], [[EADS CASA C-295]]
| colours_labels                = 
}}
The '''Bangladesh Army''' ({{langx|bn|বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনী|Bāṅlādēś shēnābāhinī}}) is the [[land warfare]] [[Military branch|branch]], and the largest component of the [[Bangladesh Armed Forces]]. The primary mission of the Army is to defend the land of Bangladesh from any external attack. Control of personnel and operations is administered by the Army Headquarters, [[Dhaka Cantonment]].<ref name="auto">{{cite news|last1=Ashraf|first1=Ahmed|script-title=bn:বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনীতে যোগ দেয়ার আগে যে বিষয়গুলো জানতে হবে |trans-title=Things to know before joining the Bangladesh Army |url=http://bangla.newspaper1971.com/2016/05/06/bangladesh-army/|access-date=6 May 2016|work=Newspaper1971 Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506215758/http://bangla.newspaper1971.com/2016/05/06/bangladesh-army/|archive-date=6 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Bangladesh Army is also constitutionally obligated to assist the [[Government of Bangladesh|government]], during times of domestic national emergency e.g. the army helps people during any natural calamity.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sujan |first1=Moudud Ahmmed |title=Flood relief operations intensified in remote areas, army says |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/environment/climate-crisis/natural-disaster/news/flood-relief-operations-intensified-remote-areas-army-says-3053501 |work=The Daily Star |date=22 June 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2024 |access-date=15 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130071120/https://www.thedailystar.net/environment/climate-crisis/natural-disaster/news/flood-relief-operations-intensified-remote-areas-army-says-3053501 |url-status=live }}</ref> This additional role is commonly referred to as "aid to civil administration" or, using the Latin form, "Protectio, Transparentia, Reintegratio", in other words, "Protect and Serve".<ref>{{cite web |title=About Bangladesh Army |url=https://www.army.mil.bd/About-Bangladesh-Army |website=army.mil.bd |publisher=Bangladesh Army|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010015524/https://www.army.mil.bd/About-Bangladesh-Army |archive-date=10 October 2024 }}</ref>

== History ==
{{further|Military history of Bangladesh}}
[[File:Victory Day Parade.jpg|thumb|Victory Day Parade, 2012. National Parade ground, Dhaka, Bangladesh]]
[[File:Bangladesh Army MBTs. (39282719792).jpg|thumb|Army's [[main battle tank]]s in the victory day Parade 2017 at National Parade Ground]]
[[File:Type 69-IIMk.2g.jpg|thumb|Bangladesh Army's Type-69 IIG main battle tank]]
[[File:Bd army eurocopter.jpg|thumb|[[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]] helicopter of Bangladesh Army]]

=== Early history ===
The martial tradition of [[Bengal]] has its roots in the army of Kings and their chiefs, who were called Senapati or Mahasenapati. Armies were composed of [[infantry]], cavalry, war elephants and war boats. The arrival of [[Muslims]] and the establishment of the [[Bengal Sultanate]] further strengthened the [[military]]. The sultanate had well-organised and disciplined armies. During the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] rule, cannons and artillery were introduced to Bengal.<ref name=":0">{{Cite Banglapedia|article=Military}}</ref> During British colonial rule, Bengal was principally a bulwark of British power and trade in the South Asian region. The British under [[Robert Clive]] defeated a 50,000-strong Bengal Army of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in the [[Battle of Plassey|Palashi (Plassey)]] in 1757 and later the forces of Nawab [[Mir Qasim]] at the [[Battle of Buxar]] in 1764. The [[Bengal Army|Army of Bengal]] was formed, which later became part of a united [[British Indian Army]] from 1895 to 1947. The eastern part of British India was a prominent place for military and police recruitment, with entire horse-mounted cavalry and lancer units being recruited there prior to the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Bengal Sepoy Mutiny]] of 1857.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/1857-war-and-the-unsung-heroes-of-bengal/article5466809.ece|title=1857 War and the unsung heroes of Bengal|last=Ganesan|first=V. B.|date=16 December 2013|work=The Hindu|access-date=8 December 2017|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020231337/http://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/1857-war-and-the-unsung-heroes-of-bengal/article5466809.ece|archive-date=20 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sKY5AQAAIAAJ&q=sepoy+mutiny+and+purge+of+bengali+soldiers|title=History of modern India|last=Bhargava|first=Moti Lal|date=1970|publisher=Upper India Pub. House|pages=296|language=en|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-date=28 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228085513/https://books.google.com/books?id=sKY5AQAAIAAJ&q=sepoy+mutiny+and+purge+of+bengali+soldiers|url-status=live}}</ref> Post-mutiny, units with the epithet "Bengal" in their name, such as [[Bengal Sappers]] and Bengal Cavalry, were largely recruited from non-Bengali peoples from Bihar, Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh which were technically still part of [[Bengal Presidency]] at that time.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Rare-1857-reports-on-Bengal-uprisings/articleshow/4637780.cms|title=Rare 1857 reports on Bengal uprisings - Times of India|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223071337/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Rare-1857-reports-on-Bengal-uprisings/articleshow/4637780.cms|archive-date=23 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> During the First World War, the Bangali Paltan was formed to recruit soldiers from Bengal. In 1916, the British Government formed the Bengali Double Company. The soldiers were trained in Karachi and shipped to Baghdad. They fought in the war and after the war helped crush a rebellion by Kurds in 1919.<ref>{{Cite Banglapedia|article=Bangali Paltan}}</ref>

During the [[Second World War]], [[British Indian Army]] [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]] created an [[Auxiliaries|auxiliary]] force who were part engineers and part infantry named as [[Indian Army Pioneer Corps]]. Most of the soldiers were recruited from both West and [[East Bengal]]. This force assisted the main war effort by building roads, airfields, fortifications and, when needed, [[Burma Campaign|fought the]] [[Imperial Japan|Japanese]] in an infantry role. This force was organised in company groups attached to various regiments of Indian Army in direct support role. Captain [[Abdul Gani (soldier)|Abdul Gani]] was a company commander in the Burma front and led his troops in battle. After the war these Pioneer Troops were concentrated in Jalna, India, waiting to be demobilised and to return home. In 1946, Captain Ghani the then Adjutant and Quartermaster of Indian Pioneer Corps Centre at Jalna envisioned and generated the idea of forming an Infantry regiment out of the Pioneer soldiers from East Bengal who would be returning home demobilised, to the Centre Commander. After receiving permission from the Chief of Staff of Pakistan Army General Sir [[Frank Messervy]], he organised his men to form the nucleus of an Infantry Regiment, the [[Bangali Paltan]] (Platoon).<ref name=":0" />

===Pakistan period===
At the time of the creation of [[Pakistan]], [[Abdul Gani (soldier)|Abdul Gani]] got the approval of the then newly appointed [[Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army]] General [[Frank Messervy]] to form the [[East Bengal Regiment]] composed solely of youths from [[East Bengal]], would be [[East Pakistan]]. On 17 August 1947, General Messervey while bidding farewell to the Pioneer Corps soldiers from Bombay, the General endorsed the views of Captain Ghani and said' you will prove to the world that Bengali soldiers are equally competent as other nations of the world.' With these inspiring words Captain Ghani moved to [[Dhaka]] in September 1947, with two Pioneer Companies and was temporarily located in [[Pilkhana, Bangladesh|Pilkhana]] now the Headquarters of the [[Border Guards Bangladesh|BGB]]. He was later told by the administration to find a suitable place to accommodate the soldiers. He moved to the north of the Capital and found Kurmitola as the perfect place for a [[cantonment]]. Toiling day in and day out the barracks were constructed and jungles cleared, parade ground prepared.<ref name=":0" />

On 15 February 1948, the flag of [[Senior Tigers|First East Bengal Regiment]], the Pioneer of Bangladesh Army was raised with Captain Ghani on the lead of all the affairs though the first commanding officer was British Lt Col V J E Patterson.<ref name=":0" />  after the raising of the first battalion the second battalion was approved Captain Gani began to recruit the personnel for the regiment. On 7 February 1949, the flag of the Second East Bengal Regiment was raised with the newly recruited soldiers and from personnel from First East Bengal Regiment. Before the [[Bangladesh War of Independence]] in 1971, a total of 8 battalions of the [[East Bengal Regiment]] were formed.<ref name=":0" />

===Bangladesh War of Independence===
{{further|Bangladesh Liberation War}}
[[File:Sectors of Bangladesh Liberation War.svg|thumb|[[List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War|The eleven sectors]] during the Bangladesh Liberation War]]
In 1970, [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] led [[Bangladesh Awami League]] to win the [[1970 East Pakistan Provincial Assembly election|General Elections of Pakistan]]. The Pakistani military junta which was then in power refused to handover power and unrest broke out. On 25 March 1971, The [[Pakistan Armed Forces]] cracked down on the Bengali population and Bengali nationalists of [[East Pakistan]] through the start of [[Operation Searchlight]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite Banglapedia|article=War of Liberation, The}}</ref> and [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] [[Proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence|declared the independence of Bangladesh]].<ref>{{Cite Banglapedia|article=Proclamation of Independence}}</ref> Meanwhile, in March 1971, Bengali soldiers in [[East Pakistan]] revolted and the [[Bangladesh War of Independence]] started. There was a Bangladesh Army Sector Commanders Conference during 11–17 July 1971. The conference was held three months after the oath of the newly formed Bangladesh Government at [[Meherpur District|Meherpur]], [[Kushtia]]. During this conference, the structure and formation as well as resolving issues surrounding the organisation of the various sectors, strategy and reinforcements of the [[Mukti Bahini|Bangladeshi Forces]] was determined. It was of considerable historical importance from a tactical point of view, as it determined the command structure of the [[Mukti Bahini|Bangladesh Forces]] throughout [[Bangladesh War of Independence]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

This conference was presided over by the [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh|Bangladesh interim government in exile]], headed by then Prime Minister [[Tajuddin Ahmed]] and Colonel (Retd.) [[M. A. G. Osmani]] was made the chairman of the ''Joint Chiefs of Staff'' of the [[Bangladesh Armed Forces]]. M. A. G. Osmani was reinstated into active duty from his retirement. Principal participants of this conference included: Squadron Leader [[M. Hamidullah Khan]], Major [[Ziaur Rahman]], Major [[Mohammad Abdul Jalil|Abdul Jalil]], Captain [[ATM Haider]], Lt. Col. [[MA Rab]] and Major [[Khaled Mosharraf]].
As a result of this meeting, [[Bangladesh]] was divided into [[List of sectors in Bangladesh Liberation War|eleven sectors]].<ref name=":0" /> These sectors were placed under the control of Sector Commanders, who would direct the [[Guerrilla warfare|guerilla war]] against [[Pakistan Armed Forces|Pakistani occupation forces]]. For better efficiency in military operations each of the sectors were also divided into a number of sub-sectors. As a point of note, the 10th Sector was under direct command of the Commander-in-Chief and included the Naval Commando Unit as a C-in-C's special force.<ref name=":0" />

Following the conference a period of prolonged [[guerrilla warfare]] was launched by the [[Mukti Bahini|Bangladesh Forces]], which continued for a number of months. A further restructuring was undertaken and the [[Mukti Bahini|Bangladesh Forces]] were organised into three brigade size combat groups:<ref name=":0" />
* ''K Force'', under Major [[Khaled Mosharraf]], was created with 4th, 9th and 10th [[East Bengal Regiment]].
* ''S Force'', under Major [[K M Shafiullah]], was created with 2nd and 11th [[East Bengal Regiment]].
* ''Z Force'', under Major [[Ziaur Rahman]], was created with 1st, 3rd and 8th [[East Bengal Regiment]].

=== Post 1971: The emergence of the Bangladesh Army ===
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 War of Independence]] were absorbed into the Bangladesh Army.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TzhuAAAAMAAJ&q=mukti+bahini+absorbed+in+Bangladesh+army|title=Evolution of national strategy of India|last=Nanda|first=Ravi|date=1 December 1987|publisher=Lancers Books|isbn=9788170950004|pages=67|language=en}}</ref>

During the 1972-73 tenure, [[Military engineering|engineers]], signals, army services, ordnance, [[military police]], remount veterinary and, farm and medical corps were established in Bangladesh Army. [[Bangladesh Military Academy]] (BMA) was established in [[Cumilla Cantonment|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|President Guard Regiment (PGR)]] was established.

There were suspicion among the army personnel of the formation of the paramilitary [[Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini]] and the addition of civilian Mukti Bahini members in it.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gj-gDQAAQBAJ&q=mukti+bahini+absorbed+in+Bangladesh+army&pg=PA51|title=India Bangladesh Domestic Politics: The River Ganges Water Issues|last=Pandey|first=Punam|date=26 November 2016|publisher=Springer|isbn=9789811023712|pages=51|language=en}}</ref> These suspicions and misconceptions laid the foundation and formed the bedrock of disputes between professional army officers and the ruling administration which led to a very bloody chapter in the history of newly independent [[Bangladesh]].

=== Coups, uprisings and assassinations ===
{{further|Military coups in Bangladesh}}

On [[15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état|15 August 1975]], a few sacked army officers, disgruntled junior officers and NCOs secretly planned and assassinated President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his entire family at his personal residence in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, except for his two daughters ([[Sheikh Hasina]] and [[Sheikh Rehana]]) who were abroad studying in [[West Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rahman,_Bangabandhu_Sheikh_Mujibur|title=Rahman, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur |website=[[Banglapedia]]|language=en|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213024229/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rahman,_Bangabandhu_Sheikh_Mujibur|archive-date=13 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Five of those responsible officers were executed in January 2010 while others are still absconding and are outside Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-123827|title=5 Bangabandhu killers hanged|date=28 January 2010|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|access-date=8 December 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216081400/http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-123827|archive-date=16 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> After the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a new government, led by [[Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad|Khandkar Mushtaq Ahmed]] and supported by the coup plotters, was set in place. Khandakar Mushtaq passed the [[Indemnity Ordinance]] which provided immunity to the assassins of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ahmad,_Khondakar_Mostaq|title=Ahmad, Khondakar Mostaq |website=[[Banglapedia]]|language=en|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115095620/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ahmad,_Khondakar_Mostaq|archive-date=15 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Three months later on [[3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état|3 November 1975]], several senior officers and NCOs led by Maj. Gen. [[Khaled Mosharraf]] and Colonel [[Shafaat Jamil]] led their own forces to remove Khandakar Mushtaq's government from power who they believed was an unlawful government in the first place. That same day the same group of disgruntled army personnel who assassinated Sheikh Mujib and had jailed politicians involved with the [[Bangladesh Liberation war]], assassinated [[Syed Nazrul Islam]], [[Tajuddin Ahmed]], [[Muhammad Mansur Ali]] and [[AHM Qamaruzzaman]] in [[Dhaka Central Jail]]. [[Ziaur Rahman|Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ziaur Rahman]] was placed under house arrest.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/11/03/none-us-even-allowed-see-grave/|title=None of us were even allowed to see his grave|work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|language=en-US|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208174900/http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/11/03/none-us-even-allowed-see-grave/|archive-date=8 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/tribute/what-we-lost-november-3-1975-1485592|title=What we lost on November 3, 1975|date=3 November 2017|work=The Daily Star|access-date=8 December 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208174926/http://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/tribute/what-we-lost-november-3-1975-1485592|archive-date=8 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

On [[7 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état|7 November 1975]], a short but highly organised uprising concentrated only in [[Dhaka]], formed by members of the [[Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal]] (National Socialist Party) and members of enlisted personnel led by Lt. Col. (Retd.) [[Abu Taher]] also resulted in the killing of Several Army and Air Force Officers and soldiers including [[Khaled Mosharraf|Major General Khaled Mosharraf]], and [[Major (rank)|Major]] [[ATM Haider]]. Colonel [[Shafaat Jamil]] was arrested and forcibly retired. [[Abu Taher|Colonel Abu Taher]] released [[Major General]] [[Ziaur Rahman]] who was imprisoned by [[Khaled Mosharraf]]. Ziaur Rahman took promotion to [[Lieutenant General (Bangladesh)|Lieutenant General]] and appointed himself as the Chief of Army Staff and Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator. He then executed Lt. Col. Abu Taher for his role in the coup on 7 November.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/the-strange-case-of-colonel-taher/767546/|title=The strange case of Colonel Taher |work=Indian Express|language=en-gb|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409185235/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/the-strange-case-of-colonel-taher/767546/|archive-date=9 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news/col-taher-execution-an-absolute-killing-hc|title=Taher execution an outright murder: HC|date=20 May 2013|work=The Daily Star|access-date=8 December 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208174913/http://www.thedailystar.net/news/col-taher-execution-an-absolute-killing-hc|archive-date=8 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Taher,_Colonel_Abu|title=Taher, Colonel Abu |website=Banglapedia|language=en|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113195015/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Taher,_Colonel_Abu|archive-date=13 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, in 1977 under a public referendum of a yes no vote he took the helm as president. On 30 May 1981, [[Assassination of Ziaur Rahman|President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated]] in the Chattogram Circuit House in a military coup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rahman,_Shahid_Ziaur|title=Rahman, Shahid Ziaur |website=Banglapedia|language=en|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701171603/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rahman,_Shahid_Ziaur|archive-date=1 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Less than a year later, the then Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]] on [[1982 Bangladeshi coup d'état|24 March 1982]] took power in a silent coup at dawn, suspended the constitution and imposed [[Martial law]] and remained in power through farce elections and corruption. He remained in power until 6 December 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ershad,_Lt._General_Hussein_M|title=Ershad, Lt. General Hussein M |website=Banglapedia|language=en|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227055143/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ershad,_Lt._General_Hussein_M|archive-date=27 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Chattogram Hill Tracts Conflict ===

{{Main|Chittagong Hill Tracts Conflict}}
The Chattogram Hill Tracts Conflict was the political and military conflict between the Government of Bangladesh and the [[Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti]] (United People's Party of the Chattogram Hill Tracts) and its armed wing, the [[Shanti Bahini]] over the issue of autonomy and the rights of the tribes of the Chattogram Hill Tracts. The Shanti Bahini launched an insurgency against government forces in 1977, and the conflict continued for twenty years until the Bangladesh government and the PCJSS signed the [[Chattogram Hill Tracts Peace Accord]] in 1997.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Chittagong_Hill_Tracts_Peace_Accord,_1997|title=Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, 1997 |website=[[Banglapedia]]|language=en|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201183555/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Chittagong_Hill_Tracts_Peace_Accord,_1997|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://unpo.org/article/19900|title=UNPO: Chittagong Hill Tracts: Local Human Rights Group Releases Report on Worrying Situation in Bangladesh|website=unpo.org|date=2 November 2009 |language=en|access-date=8 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208231404/http://unpo.org/article/19900|archive-date=8 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/cht-struggle-for-peace-1013|title=CHT- Struggle for peace|date=2 December 2013|work=The Daily Star|access-date=8 December 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208174938/http://www.thedailystar.net/cht-struggle-for-peace-1013|archive-date=8 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Peace negotiations were initiated after the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh in 1991, but little progress was made with the government of [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|Prime Minister]] [[Begum Khaleda Zia]] and her [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]].<ref name="CV3">{{cite book |last=Majumder |first=Shantanu |year=2012 |chapter=Parbatya Chattagram Jana-Samhati Samiti |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Parbatya_Chattagram_Jana-Samhati_Samiti |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] |access-date=18 December 2016 |archive-date=20 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120203138/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Parbatya_Chattagram_Jana-Samhati_Samiti |url-status=live }}</ref> Fresh rounds of talks began in 1996 with the newly elected prime minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] of the [[Awami League]].<ref name="CV3"/> The [[Chattogram Hill Tracts Peace Accord]] was finalised and formally signed on 2 December 1997.<ref>[http://www.mochta.gov.bd/faq.php Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708205108/http://www.mochta.gov.bd/faq.php |date=8 July 2008 }}</ref>
[[File:Bangladeshi soldiers on a BTR-80 APC.jpg|thumb|Bangladeshi soldiers on a BTR-80 readying for an assault during the BDR Mutiny.]]

=== Subsequent growth ===
[[File:US Navy 071126-N-1831S-104 A member of the Bangladesh Army helps unload bags of purified water from a CH-46 Sea Knight assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).jpg|thumb|Humanitarian operation after [[Cyclone Sidr]] 2.]]
Following the 1975 coup, additional personnel were absorbed into the regular army when the martial law government abolished the [[Jatiyo Rakkhi Bahini]]. Under Zia's rule, Bangladesh was divided into five military regions. When Ershad assumed power in 1982, Army strength had established at about 70,000 troops. Starting in 1985, the army had experienced another spurt in growth. As of mid-1988, it had about 90,000 troops (although some observers believed the number was closer to 80,000), triple the 1975 figure.<ref name=cs>Douglas C. Makeig. "Army". [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/bdtoc.html ''A Country Study: Bangladesh''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711103712/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/bdtoc.html |date=11 July 2015 }} (James Heitzman and Robert Worden, editors). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (September 1988). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.''[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html Library of Congress Home] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120710004153/lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html |date=10 July 2012 }}</ref>

The [[Bangladesh Armed Forces]] participated in the [[Gulf War]] in 1991 in [[Operation Desert Storm]], alongside other multinational forces under Allied Command. The Bangladesh Army brought in a contingent of [[Military engineering|Engineers]] and undertook the task of clearing [[landmines]] and [[bombs]] in [[Kuwait]]. This assistance took place under the operational code name "Operation Kuwait Punargathan (OKP)" in English "Operation Rebuilding Kuwait (ORK)".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/printversion/details/42847 |title=Bangladesh-Kuwait joint effort to fight terrorism |work=[[The Independent (Bangladesh)]] |location=[[Dhaka]] |access-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208235857/http://www.theindependentbd.com/printversion/details/42847 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:‘Aurora Monsoon’ 140826-A-ZX807-846.jpg|thumb|Bangladesh Army soldiers train with U.S. Army soldiers in a bilateral exchange and training exercise]]

The Bangladesh Army's structure is similar to the armies of the [[Commonwealth Nations]]. However, major changes have taken place following the adoption of US Army tactical planning procedures, training management techniques and [[noncommissioned officer]] educational systems.

==== Forces Goal 2030 ====
[[File:Bangladesh Army Aviation Group CN-295W (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Bangladesh Army Aviation Group]] EADS CASA [[C-295|CN-295W]] ]]
Beginning in 2017 after the [[Rohingya genocide]], the [[Bangladesh Armed Forces]] are embarking on a long-term modernization and reorganization. The force is being divided into three corps — Central, Eastern and Western.<ref name="Independent">{{Cite news |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/printversion/details/32722 |title=Army plans to work under three corps |work=[[The Independent (Bangladesh)]] |location=[[Dhaka]] |access-date=12 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915180951/http://www.theindependentbd.com/printversion/details/32722 |archive-date=15 September 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> To support and reinforce national security, new military bases are under construction. Three new infantry divisions have been raised, the [[17th Infantry Division (Bangladesh)|17th Infantry Division]] at [[Sylhet District|Sylhet]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2013/sep/18/pm-launches-17-infantry-division| title=PM launches 17 Infantry Division| work=Dhaka Tribune| access-date=21 September 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215039/http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2013/sep/18/pm-launches-17-infantry-division| archive-date=23 September 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> [[10th Infantry Division (Bangladesh)|10th Infantry Division]] at Ramu in [[Cox's Bazar District|Cox's Bazar]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=474604&date=2015-03-01 |title=PM urges the army to remain prepared against any threat to democracy |work=[[Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha]] |access-date=8 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128184650/http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=474604&date=2015-03-01 |archive-date=28 November 2016 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> and [[7th Infantry Division (Bangladesh)|7th Infantry Division]] at [[Barishal District|Barishal]]-[[Patuakhali District|Patuakhali]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/02/08/pm-reaches-patuakhali/|title=PM inaugurates Sheikh Hasina Cantonment in Patuakhali|work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|date=8 February 2018|access-date=8 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208113618/http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/02/08/pm-reaches-patuakhali/|archive-date=8 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> raising the number of divisions to ten. Additional infantry protective systems such as [[Bulletproof vest|combat armor]], and [[Ballistic eyewear|ballistic goggles]] are being procured, alongside lethality improvements such as night vision systems and [[collimator sight]]s for the BD-08 assault rifle. Other equipment such as personal radios and GPS devices are also expected.

For speciality actions, the [[2nd Commando Battalion (Bangladesh)|2nd Commando Battalion]] has been raised, joining the 1st Commando Battalion under the [[Para Commando Brigade (Bangladesh)|Para-Commando Brigade]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/dhaka-cafe-attack-recounting-operation-thunderbolt-1427413| title=Recounting 'Operation Thunderbolt'| work=The Daily Star| date=3 July 2017| access-date=11 August 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811222132/http://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/dhaka-cafe-attack-recounting-operation-thunderbolt-1427413| archive-date=11 August 2017| url-status=live}}</ref> Armored forces received the Chinese [[Al-Khalid tank|MBT-2000]] in 2011, while<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Bangladesh Eyes China Arms|url=https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/bangladesh-eyes-china-arms/|magazine=The Diplomat|access-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305022644/https://thediplomat.com/2011/06/bangladesh-eyes-china-arms/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> the existing [[Type 69/79 main battle tank|Type 69 tank]] fleet has been improved to the ''Type 69IIG'' standard.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/city/modernisation-army-continue-89149|title=Modernisation of army to continue|date=29 May 2015|work=The Daily Star|access-date=8 December 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223060959/http://www.thedailystar.net/city/modernisation-army-continue-89149|archive-date=23 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Another 174 [[Type 59 tank]]s will be receiving the [[Type 59 tank#Bangladesh|Type 59G Durjoy]] upgrade.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 May 2015 |title=Prime Minister Hasina expects greater involvement of army in development efforts |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/05/28/prime-minister-hasina-expects-greater-involvement-of-army-in-development-efforts |newspaper=[[bdnews24.com]] |access-date=30 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309143231/http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2015/05/28/prime-minister-hasina-expects-greater-involvement-of-army-in-development-efforts |archive-date=9 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Modernisation of army to continue: PM |date=28 May 2015 |url=http://unb.com.bd/pm-generals-conference-ld |agency=United News of Bangladesh (UNB) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123132027/http://unb.com.bd/pm-generals-conference-ld |archive-date=23 January 2016  }}</ref> Infantry mobility modernizations consist of some 300 [[BTR-80]] [[Armoured personnel carrier|APCs]], an undisclosed number of [[Otokar Cobra]] LAVs, [[International MaxxPro]] MRAP vehicles, and the [[BOV M11]] ARV.<ref name=":3" />

To modernize the [[artillery]] forces, [[Nora B-52|Nora B-52 K2]] self-propelled artillery system have been procured from [[Serbia]].<ref name="adn">{{cite web| url=http://asian-defence-news.blogspot.com/2013/12/bangladesh-army-gets-self-propelled.html| title=Bangladesh Army gets self-propelled howitzer NORA B-52 K1 SP and Metis M-1 anti-tank missiles| publisher=Asian Defence News| date=26 December 2013| access-date=19 December 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221045456/http://asian-defence-news.blogspot.com/2013/12/bangladesh-army-gets-self-propelled.html| archive-date=21 December 2016| url-status=live}}</ref> Their firepower is further increased by the addition of two regiments of [[Weishi Rockets#WS-22|WS-22]] Guided Multiple Rocket Launcher System. For anti-tank role, [[9K115-2 Metis-M|Metis-M]] missile systems and [[PF-98]] rocket systems were procured.<ref name="adn" /> Two regiments of [[HQ-7#HQ-7A (FM-90)|FM 90]] [[Surface-to-air missile|surface to air missiles]] were added in 2016 to enhance air defence capabilities.<ref name="Modernisation of army to continue">{{cite news |title=Modernisation of army to continue |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/city/modernisation-army-continue-89149 |newspaper=The Daily Star |location=Dhaka |access-date=23 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223060959/http://www.thedailystar.net/city/modernisation-army-continue-89149 |archive-date=23 December 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Army Aviation Wing is also being modernized. Two [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin's]] were put into service in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2012/11/28/comunicado-eurocopter-as365-n3-dauphin-helicopters-enter-service-with-the-bangladesh-army-for-use-in-humanitarian-missions-and-vip-airlift.html|title=Eurocopter AS365 N3+ Dauphin helicopters enter service with the Bangladesh Army for use in humanitarian missions and VIP airlift.|date=28 November 2012 |publisher=infodefensa.com|access-date=29 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530023625/http://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2012/11/28/comunicado-eurocopter-as365-n3-dauphin-helicopters-enter-service-with-the-bangladesh-army-for-use-in-humanitarian-missions-and-vip-airlift.html|archive-date=30 May 2015|url-status=live |last1=Com |first1=Infodefensa }}</ref>  Six [[Mil Mi-17#Variants|Mil Mi-171Sh]] were procured in 2016. [[EADS CASA C-295|C-295W]] transport aircraft was ordered from [[Spain]] one was delivered in 2017.<ref name="abdc295">{{cite press release|url=https://airbusdefenceandspace.com/newsroom/news-and-features/bangladesh-to-join-the-family-of-c295w-operators |title=Bangladesh To Join The Family Of C295W Operators |publisher=Airbus Defence and Space |date=11 October 2016 |access-date=14 October 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012143936/https://airbusdefenceandspace.com/newsroom/news-and-features/bangladesh-to-join-the-family-of-c295w-operators/ |archive-date=12 October 2016 }}</ref><ref name="fgc295">{{cite web|last1=Stevenson|first1=Beth|title=Bangladesh orders single C295W|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bangladesh-orders-single-c295w-transport-430249/|website=FlightGlobal|access-date=14 October 2016|date=11 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012080013/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bangladesh-orders-single-c295w-transport-430249/|archive-date=12 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Another [[EADS CASA C-295]] was delivered in 2022.[https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2022/09/26/another-casa-c295w-military-aircraft-added-to-bangladesh-army-fleet Another CASA-C295W military aircraft added to Bangladesh Army fleet]

Bangladesh Army also procured 36 ''[[Bramor C4EYE]]'' battlefield reconnaissance UAVs from [[Slovenia]] in 2017.

=== Contribution to UN peacekeeping operations ===
[[File:Bangladeshi military UN missions.svg|thumb|220x220px|Map of Bangladesh Military UN Peacekeeping Force]]
[[File:Bdunmsn2.jpg|thumbnail|left|Bangladesh Army [[Para Commando Brigade (Bangladesh)|Paracommandos]] patrolling on UN mission]]
[[File:Bdunmsn3.jpg|thumbnail|right|Patrol with armoured personnel carrier (APC)]]

{{Main|Bangladesh UN Peacekeeping Force}}

The Bangladesh Army 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]]<ref name=Momen>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/bangladesh&theworld/bd_world18.htm |title=Bangladesh-UN Partnership |last1=Momen |first1=Nurul |date=2006 |work=The Daily Star |access-date=2 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813092611/http://thedailystar.net/suppliments/2006/15thanniv/bangladesh%26theworld/bd_world18.htm |archive-date=13 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad|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.<ref name=Momen/> 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 (country)|Georgia]], [[East Timor]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]], [[Côte d'Ivoire]] and [[Ethiopia]].

As a result of its contributions to various UN peacekeeping operations, up to 88 Bangladeshi soldiers have lost their lives (as of February 2009).<ref name=Momen/> However, the performance of Bangladesh's contingents has been described as being of the "highest order" and the appointment of several senior Bangladesh military officers as the commander of UN peacekeeping missions and Senior Military Liaison Officers, may be seen as further recognition of the Bangladesh Army's growing esteem in the peacekeeping community.<ref name=Momen/> In January 2004, [[BBC]] described the Bangladeshi UN Force as "Cream of UN Peacekeepers".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3763640.stm | work=[[BBC News]] | first=Roland | last=Buerk | title=The cream of UN peacekeepers | date=18 January 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619023558/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3763640.stm | archive-date=19 June 2024 }}</ref>

Bangladesh Army has specialised its peacekeeping operation capabilities around the world through participation in numerous peacekeeping and nation building operations. It has created '''BIPSOT''' ([[Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training]]) which specialises in the training of peacekeepers for employment in all types of UNPSO (UN Peace Support Operations). This institute fulfills the requirement of UNDPKO as per U.N. General Assembly resolution which outlines 'the necessity and responsibility of every nation to train their armed forces before any deployment.

===Women in Bangladesh Army===
{{Main|Women in the Bangladesh Armed Forces}}
[[File:Female ordinary soldier of the Bangladesh Army at Unnayan Mela 2018 in Comilla Town Hall.jpg|thumb|Bangladesh Army's ordnance corps soldier in [[Comilla]], 2018.]]
Since the early 2000s, Bangladeshi women could join the army in the officer ranks, but were restricted from enlisting as soldiers until 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/07/08/Bangladesh-army-recruits-women/3182963028800/|title=Bangladesh army recruits women|website=[[United Press International]]|author=Inam Ahmed|date=8 July 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/serve-people-with-professionalism-62387|title=Serve people with professionalism; PM asks female military paramedics|website=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|author=Unb, Tangail|date=2015-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629234953/https://www.thedailystar.net/serve-people-with-professionalism-62387|archive-date=2015-06-29}}</ref> Since the army's inception, women have been able to enlist in the medical corps as doctors.<ref>{{cite news |title=First Female Brigadier General from Army medical Corps (Health Care Management) in the history of Bangladesh Army |url=https://ispr.gov.bd/en/first-female-brigadier-general-from-army-medical-administration-in-the-history-of-bangladesh-army/ |work=[[Inter-Services Public Relations (Bangladesh)|Inter-Services Public Relations]] |date=8 October 2020}}</ref> Captain [[Sitara Begum]] of army medical corps was a noted woman.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Amin |first1=Aasha Mehreen |last2=Ahmed |first2=Lavina Ambreen |last3=Ahsan |first3=Shamim |title=The women in our Liberation War |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/victory-day-2016-special/the-women-our-liberation-war-1330396 |access-date=22 March 2020 |work=The Daily Star |date=16 December 2016 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://theindependentbd.com/printversion/details/133628|title=Women soldiers in Bangladesh Army, The momentous decision to recruit women soldiers in Bangladesh Army was the mark of an epoch-making era|work=[[The Independent (Bangladesh)]] |location=[[Dhaka]] |date=2018-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306122113/http://theindependentbd.com/printversion/details/133628|archive-date=2018-03-06}}</ref> On 1 October 2018, the Bangladesh Army got its first female major-general and the person was [[Susane Giti]] (commissioned in the 1980s) and she was from the medical corps.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/susane-giti-first-female-bangladesh-army-major-general-1640794|title=Susane Giti becomes first female major general|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|date=1 October 2018}}</ref> Female soldiers can also get [[United Nations peacekeeping]] duties like male soldiers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/promoters-peace-1556665|title=Promoters of peace|work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|date=2018-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401222032/https://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/promoters-peace-1556665|archive-date=2018-04-01}}</ref> On 25 January 2019, Bangladesh Army appointed four lady battalion commanders for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2019/01/25/bangladesh-army-appoints-four-female-officers-as-battalion-chiefs |title=Bangladesh Army appoints four female officers as battalion chiefs|work=[[Bdnews24.com]]|date=25 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125112853/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2019/01/25/bangladesh-army-appoints-four-female-officers-as-battalion-chiefs |archive-date=25 January 2019 }}</ref>

== Organisation ==
[[File:US Navy 071123-M-7696M-062 Bangladeshi soldiers unload a shipment of bottled water delivered by Marines of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 261, the aviation element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).jpg|thumb|left|Bangladeshi soldiers unload a shipment of bottled water for cyclone victims.]]
{{See also|List of serving generals of the Bangladesh Army}}

=== Structure ===
{{main|List of formations of the Bangladesh Army}}

'''Army Headquarters'''

The Army Headquarters consists of Chief of Army Staff & his seven Principal Staff Officers & several Directors & Staff Officers who support, advise & assist the Chief of Army Staff for the smooth functioning of the Army. The Branches & Directorates of Army Headquarters are given below-

'''Chief of Army Staff's Secretariat'''

* General Staff Branch
* Quarter Master General's Branch
* Adjutant General's Branch
* Master General of Ordnance's  Branch
* Engineer in Chief's Branch
* Military Secretary's Branch
* Judge Advocate General's Branch

=== Administrative branches ===
'''Bangladesh Army is divided into the following administrative Corps''':
{| class=wikitable
! [[Combat arms|Combat Arms]] !! [[Combat support]] !! [[Combat service support]]
|- valign=top
|
* [[Armoured Corps]]
* [[Artillery|Regiment of Artillery]]
* [[Infantry]]:
** [[East Bengal Regiment]] (EBR)
** [[Bangladesh Infantry Regiment]] (BIR)
* [[Para-Commando Brigade (Bangladesh Army)|Para Commando]] 
|
* [[Bangladesh Army Aviation Group|Army Aviation]]
* [[Anti-aircraft warfare|Air defence artillery]]
* [[Military engineer|Corps of Engineers]]
* [[Signals (military)|Corps of Signals]]
* [[Military Intelligence]]
|
* Corps of Military Police (CMP)
* Army Service Corps (ASC)
* Ordnance Corps
* Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME)
* Army Education Corps (AEC)
* [[Medical Corps|Army Medical Corps]] (AMC)
* [[Dental Corps|Army Dental Corps]]
* [[Army Corps of Clerks]] (abbreviated as ACC, made of only NCOs and JCOs)
* [[Judge Advocate General's Corps|Judge Advocate General's Department]] (JAG Dept.)
* [[Military band]]
* Remounts, Veterinary and Farms Corps (RV & FC)
* Ministry of Defence Constabulary (MODC)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mod.gov.bd/site/page/befdc93b-17fb-4f2d-850c-630ccc1b0b68|script-title=bn:প্রতিরক্ষা মন্ত্রণালয়ের অধীন সংস্থা ও দপ্তরসমূহ|website=Ministry of Devense|language=bn|access-date=26 November 2019|archive-date=31 August 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190831040954/https://mod.gov.bd/site/page/befdc93b-17fb-4f2d-850c-630ccc1b0b68|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Military nurse|Armed Forces Nursing Services]] (AFNS)
|}

== Rank structure ==
{{See also|Military ranks of Bangladesh}}

=== Commissioned Officers ===
[[Commissioned officer]]s are honored as 'first class gazetted officers' by the Government of Bangladesh.<ref name="joinbangladesharmy.mil.bd">{{cite web|url=http://joinbangladesharmy.army.mil.bd/about-army/ranks-insignia/ranks-insignia/14|title=Ranks and Insignia - Join Bangladesh Army|access-date=23 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423170311/http://joinbangladesharmy.army.mil.bd/about-army/ranks-insignia/ranks-insignia/14|archive-date=23 April 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Rank Categories - Bangladesh Army">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil.bd/Rank-Categories|title=Rank Categories - Bangladesh Army|access-date=23 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014165142/https://www.army.mil.bd/Rank-Categories|archive-date=14 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:100%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Bangladesh}}
|}

=== Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Ordinary Soldiers ===
[[Non-commissioned officer|NCO]] rank starts from [[Lance Corporal]]. Sergeants hold key appointments in [[Company (military unit)|companies]], [[Battery (military unit)|batteries]] (company equivalent of artillery), infantry [[battalion]]s and artillery regiments, e.g. [[Company Quartermaster Sergeant]] (CQMS), [[Regimental Sergeant Major]] (RSM), persons holding these appointments have separate rank insignias though these are not actually ranks.<ref name="joinbangladesharmy.mil.bd"/>

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:100%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Bangladesh}}
|}

{|  style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#fff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! colspan=4| Sergeant appointments
|- style="text-align:center; background:#efefef;"
| [[File:Bangladesh-army-OR-9.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Bangladesh-army-OR-8.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Bangladesh-army-OR-7.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Bangladesh-army-OR-6.svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Regimental sergeant major|Regiment Sergeant Major]]
| [[Quartermaster sergeant|Quarter Master Sergeant]]
| [[Sergeant major|Sergeant Major]]
| [[Master sergeant|Master Sergeant]]
|}

== List of cantonments ==
[[Cantonments]] are where Bangladesh Army personnel work, train, and live.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joinbangladesharmy.mil.bd/about-army/cantonment-locations |title=Cantonment Locations |website=Join Bangladesh Army |publisher=Bangladesh Army |access-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618152955/http://www.joinbangladesharmy.mil.bd/about-army/cantonment-locations |archive-date=18 June 2015 }}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Alikadam Cantonment]], [[Bandarban District|Bandarban]]
* [[Bandarban Cantonment]]
* [[Chattogram Cantonment]]
* [[Cumilla Cantonment]], [[Cumilla]]
* [[Dhaka Cantonment]]
* [[Dighinala Cantonment]], [[Khagrachhari Hill District|Khagrachhari]]
* [[Halishahar Cantonment]], [[Chattogram District|Chattogram]]
* [[Jahanabad Cantonment]], [[Khulna]]
* [[Jahangirabad Cantonment]], [[Bogura]]
* [[Jalalabad Cantonment]], [[Sylhet]]
* [[Jamuna Cantonment]], [[Tangail District|Tangail]]
* [[Jashore Cantonment]]
* [[Kaptai Cantonment]], [[Rangamati]]
* [[Khagrachari Cantonment]]
* [[Kholahati Cantonment]], [[Dinajpur District, Bangladesh|Dinajpur]]
* [[Majhira Cantonment]], [[Bogura]]
* [[Mirpur Cantonment]]
* [[Momenshahi Cantonment]]
* [[Padma Cantonment]], [[Madaripur District|Madaripur]]
* [[Postogola Cantonment]]
* [[Qadirabad Cantonment]], [[Natore District|Natore]]
* [[Rajendrapur Cantonment]], [[Gazipur District|Gazipur]]
* [[Rajshahi Cantonment]]
* [[Ramu Cantonment]], [[Cox's Bazar District|Cox's Bazar]]
* [[Rangamati Cantonment]]
* [[Rangpur Cantonment]]
* [[Lalmonirhat Cantonment]]
* [[Saidpur Cantonment]], [[Nilphamari District|Nilphamari]]
* [[Savar Cantonment]]
* [[Shahid Salahuddin Cantonment]], [[Ghatail Upazila|Ghatail]]
* [[Barishal Cantonment]], [[Barishal Division|Barishal]], [[Patuakhali]]
* [[Sylhet Cantonment]], [[Sylhet]].
* [[Mithamain Cantonment]], [[Kishoreganj]]
* [[Guimara Cantonment]], [[Chattogram Division|Chattogram]]
{{div col end}}

==Educational and training institutes==
===Medical===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Bangladesh|Armed Forces Institute of Pathology]]
* [[Armed Forces Medical Institute]]
*[[Armed Forces Medical College (Bangladesh)|Armed Forces Medical College]] (AFMC), Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka
*[[Army Medical College, Bogra|Army Medical College]], [[Bogra]] (AMCB), [[Majhira Cantonment]], [[Bogura]]
*[[Army Medical College, Chittagong|Army Medical College]], [[Chattogram]] (AMCC), [[Chattogram Cantonment]], [[Chattogram]]
*[[Army Medical College, Comilla|Army Medical College]], [[Cumilla]] (AMCC), [[Comilla Cantonment]], [[Cumilla]]
*[[Army Medical College, Jessore|Army Medical College]], [[Jessore]] (AMCJ), [[Jessore Cantonment]], [[Jessore]]
*[[Army Medical College, Rangpur|Army Medical College]], [[Rangpur, Bangladesh|Rangpur]] (RAMC), [[Rangpur Cantonment]], [[Rangpur, Bangladesh|Rangpur]]
* [[Army Nursing College, Cumilla]]
* [[Army Nursing College, Rangpur]]

{{div col end}}

===University===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Bangladesh University of Professionals]] (BUP), [[Mirpur Cantonment]], [[Dhaka]]
*[[Military Institute of Science and Technology]] (MIST), [[Mirpur Cantonment]], [[Dhaka]]
*[[Bangladesh Army International University of Science & Technology]] (BAIUST), Mainamati Cantonment, Cumilla
*[[Bangladesh Army University of Science & Technology, Khulna]] (BAUSTK), Jahanabad Cantonment, [[Khulna]]
*[[Bangladesh Army University of Engineering & Technology]] (BAUET) Qadirabad Cantonment, Natore
*[[Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology|Bangladesh Army University of Science And Technology]] (BAUST), Saidpur Cantonment, Nilphamari
*[[Army Institute of Business Administration, Sylhet|Army Institute of Business Administration]] (AIBA), [[Jalalabad Cantonment]], [[Sylhet]]
*[[Army Institute of Business Administration, Savar|Army Institute of Business Administration]] (Army IBA), [[Savar Cantonment]], [[Dhaka]]
{{div col end}}

===Others===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[ARTDOC]], [[Momenshahi Cantonment]], Mymensingh
*Armoured Corps Centre & School (ACC&S), Majira Cantonment, Bogura
*Army Medical Corps Centre & School (AMCC&S), Shaheed Salahuddin Cantonment, Ghatail, Tangail
*Army School of Music (ASM), Chattogram Cantonment, Chattogram
*Army School of Physical Training and Sports (ASPTS), Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka
*[[Bangladesh Army Football Team]] (BAFT), Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka
*Army Service Corps Centre & School (ASCC&S), Jahanabad Cantonment, Khulna
*Artillery Centre and School (AC&S), Halishahar, Chattogram
*[[Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Centre]] (BIRC), [[Rajshahi Cantonment]], [[Rajshahi]]
*[[Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training]] (BIPSOT), Rajendrapur Cantonment, Gazipur
*[[Bangladesh Military Academy]] (BMA), Bhatiary, Chattogram
*[[Bangladesh National Cadet Corps]] (BNCC)
*Centre and School of Military Police, Education and Administration (CSMEA), Shahid Salahuddin Cantonment, Ghatail, Tangail
*[[Defence Services Command and Staff College (Bangladesh)|Defence Services Command and Staff College]] (DSCS&C), Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka
*[[East Bengal Regimental Centre]] (EBRC), Chattogram Cantonment, Chattogram
*Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Centre and School (EMEC&S), Saidpur Cantonment, Nilphamari
*Engineer Centre and School of Military Engineering (ECSME), Quadirabad Cantonment, Natore
*[[National Defence College (Bangladesh)|National Defence College]] (NDC), Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka
*Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (NCOA), Majira Cantonment, Bogura
*Ordnance Centre & School (OC&S), Rajendrapur Cantonment, Gazipur
*[[School of Infantry and Tactics]] (SI&T), Jalalabad Cantonment, Sylhet
*School of Military Intelligence (SMI), Cumilla Cantonment, Cumilla
*Signal Training Centre and School (STC&S), Jashore Cantonment, Jashore
* Proyash Institute of Special Education and Research (PISER)
* Engineering Centre and School of Military Engineering (ECSME)
* EME Centre & School (EMEC&S)
* Core of Military Police Centre & School (CMPC&S)
* Army School of Education and Administration (ASEA)

{{div col end}}

==Equipment==
{{main|List of equipment of the Bangladesh Army}}
<gallery>

File:Bangladesh Army FM90 Crotale SAM. (38169460305).jpg|[[HQ-7#HQ-7B (FM-90)|FM-90]] Surface to Air Missile of Bangladesh Army
File:Bangladesh Army MBT2000. (39072813711).jpg|[[Al-Khalid tank#Production variants|MBT-2000/VT-1A]] Main Battle Tank of Bangladesh Army
File:TB 2 attack drone of Bangladesh army.jpg|[[Bangladesh Army Aviation Group]] [[Baykar Bayraktar TB2|Bayraktar TB2]] UCAV
File:S3-BRB Bangladesh Army Aviation Mil Mi-171sh (31265734770) (cropped).jpg|[[Mil Mi-17#Variants|Mi-171Sh]] [[armed helicopter|Armed Assault]] Helicopter of [[Bangladesh Army Aviation Group]]
File:BTR-80 of Bangladesh Army.png|[[BTR-80]] Armoured personnel carrier of Bangladesh Army
File:Bangladesh Army WS-22 MLRS. (33659597465).jpg|[[Weishi Rockets#WS-22|WS-22]] Multiple Launch Rocket System of Bangladesh Army
File:Bangladesh Army Nora B-52 155mm SPG (31586399521).jpg|[[Nora B-52]] 155mm Self propelled Artillery of Bangladesh Army
File:Bangladesh Army Aviation Group CN-295W (cropped).jpg|[[Bangladesh Army Aviation Group]] [[C-295|EADS CASA CN-295W]]
</gallery>

== List of Chiefs of Army Staff ==
{{Main|Chief of Army Staff (Bangladesh)}}

==Future modernisation plan==
{{Main|Forces Goal 2030}}
[[Bangladesh]] has made a long term modernisation plan for its Armed Forces named [[Forces Goal 2030]]. As per the plan, Bangladesh Army will be divided into three [[corps]] — Central, Eastern and Western.<ref name="Independent"/> A riverine brigade is being formed at [[Mithamain Upazila|Mithamain]] of [[Kishoreganj District|Kishoreganj district]]. Government has a plan to add 97 new units within 2021. Of them, 19 units will be formed for the Sylhet Cantonment, 22 for the Ramu Cantonment and 56 units for the [[Sheikh Hasina cantonment|Sheikh Hasina Cantonment]] in Lebukhali. A Riverine Engineer Battalion is also going to be formed under a proposed cantonment at Mithamoine in [[Kishoreganj]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/104318| title=Army to get 97 more units in 4 years |work=[[The Independent (Bangladesh)]]| date=16 July 2017| access-date=11 August 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811221904/http://www.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/104318| archive-date=11 August 2017| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.janes.com/article/72633/bangladesh-army-to-get-97-more-units-in-four-years-says-report| title=Bangladesh Army to get 97 more units in four years, says report| publisher=Jane's 360| date=26 July 2017| access-date=11 August 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811183423/http://www.janes.com/article/72633/bangladesh-army-to-get-97-more-units-in-four-years-says-report| archive-date=11 August 2017| url-status=dead}}</ref> Formation of two new tank regiments is under consideration.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=531743&date=2015-11-12|title=PM reaffirms to do everything for modernisation of army|work=BSS|access-date=23 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124110650/http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=531743&date=2015-11-12|archive-date=24 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Uphold dignity of national flag, PM to Army |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/22771 |newspaper=The Independent |location=Dhaka |access-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124090920/http://www.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/22771 |archive-date=24 November 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Process of converting some [[Conventional warfare|regular]] [[infantry]] [[battalion]]s into [[Paratrooper|para infantry]] battalions and [[mechanized infantry]] [[battalion]]s is also going on.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=742740&date=2018-05-13 |title=Stay alert to face internal & external threats |work=[[Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha]] |date=13 May 2018 |access-date=16 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517152948/http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=742740&date=2018-05-13 |archive-date=17 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Bangladesh Army modular infantry. (30801511334).jpg|200px|thumb|right|New outfit of Bangladeshi infantry.]]

Bangladesh Army has started an ambitious modernisation program for its infantry soldiers named ''Infantry Soldier System''. This system includes equipping all of its soldiers with modern equipment like [[Night vision device|Night Vision Goggles (NVG)]], [[SPECTRA helmet|Ballistic helmets]], [[Goggles|Eye protective gear]], [[Bulletproof vest]], person to person communicators, palmtop [[GPS navigation device|GPS device]] and [[Type 81 assault rifle|BD-08]] assault rifles with [[Collimator sight]]. In April 2018, a RFI was published for procurement of [[assault rifle]]s and [[submachine gun]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/notice/411.pdf|title=EVALUATTON OF SUTTABLE SMALLS ARMS /ASSAULT RIFLE/SUB MACHINE GUN FOR BANGLADESH ARMY|publisher=DGDP|access-date=10 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025919/http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/notice/411.pdf|archive-date=11 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Evaluation notice for medium range [[Anti-tank missile|Anti-tank guided missile]] was also published in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/notice/412.pdf|title=RE-EVATUATTON OF ANTI-TANK GUIDED WEAPON (MEDIUM RANGE) FOR BANGIADESH ARMY|publisher=DGDP|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428181131/http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/notice/412.pdf|archive-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2018, Bangladesh Army issued a tender for the procurement of 220 anti-tank weapons. The models shortlisted are Russian [[RPG-7]]V2 and Chinese ''Type 69-1''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/2216.pdf|title=Tender for platoon level ATW|publisher=DGDP|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324224358/http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/2216.pdf|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Evaluation process of 155mm howitzer also started in September 2017.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/notice/359.pdf| title=Evaluation of 155mm Howitzer| publisher=dgdp| date=24 September 2017| access-date=24 November 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033219/http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/notice/359.pdf| archive-date=1 December 2017| url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2017, Bangladesh Army started the evaluation process of 122&nbsp;mm field artillery howitzers.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/notice/374.pdf| title=Evaluation of 122mm Howitzer| publisher=dgdp| date=21 November 2017| access-date=24 November 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032313/http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/notice/374.pdf| archive-date=1 December 2017| url-status=live}}</ref> Later on in November 2017, the Bangladesh Army published the tender for the procurement of 105mm towed field artillery systems.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/notice/373.pdf| title=Procurement of 105mm howitzer| publisher=dgdp| access-date=25 November 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032748/http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/notice/373.pdf| archive-date=1 December 2017| url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, army signed contract to procure one regiment of [[Kasirga rocket system|T-300 Kasirga]] [[Multiple rocket launcher|Multiple Launch Rocket System]] (MLRS) system from Turkey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savunmahaber.com/en/brigadier-general-md-tariqul-alam-tariq-the-defence-attache-of-bangladesh-to-turkey-turkish-companies-are-winning-the-tenders-for-product-compatibility-lower-price-and-easy-after-sale-serv/|title=Brigadier General Md Tariqul Alam TARIQ, the Defence Attaché of Bangladesh to Turkey: "Turkish companies are winning the tenders for product compatibility, lower price and easy after sale service."|publisher=MSI Turkish Defence Review|date=31 March 2020|access-date=2 April 2020|archive-date=4 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404030249/http://www.savunmahaber.com/en/brigadier-general-md-tariqul-alam-tariq-the-defence-attache-of-bangladesh-to-turkey-turkish-companies-are-winning-the-tenders-for-product-compatibility-lower-price-and-easy-after-sale-serv/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bangladesh Army signed contract with China for 44 [[Type 15 tank|VT-5]] light tanks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2019-12/20/content_9700539.htm|title=Bangladesh Navy receives two Chinese frigates|publisher=Chinamil|date=20 December 2019|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=21 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221150624/http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2019-12/20/content_9700539.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The tanks were scheduled to be delivered within 2020.

In March 2018, tender was floated for two local warning radars. The models shortlisted for the tender are [[Ground Master 400]] of [[Thales Group|Thales]], ''[[TRML-3D]]/32'' of [[Hensoldt]] and ''KRONOS Land'' of [[Leonardo S.p.A.|Leonardo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/2192.pdf|title=Tender specification of Local Warning Radar|publisher=DGDP|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324192032/http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/2192.pdf|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Army also issued tender for procuring 181 [[Man-portable air-defense system]]s. Here, Chinese [[FN-6#FN-16|FN-16]], Russian [[9K38 Igla|Igla-S]] and Swedish [[RBS 70]] systems has been shortlisted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/2229.pdf|title=Tender for surface to air missile|publisher=DGDP|access-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324224420/http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/2229.pdf|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Army Aviation has plan to add one more [[EADS CASA C-295]] transport aircraft to its fleet soon. Besides, process is going on to procure six more [[Mil Mi-17]]1Sh helicopters. They also have a plan to add [[attack helicopter]]s to the fleet in the near future.<ref name ="aagdev">{{cite news |url=https://mzamin.com/article.php?mzamin=203653 |script-title=bn:মিয়ানমারকে বলেছি রোহিঙ্গাদের ফিরিয়ে নেয়ার সব ব্যবস্থা তাদেরকে করতে হবে |language=bn |work=Manab Zamin |date=13 December 2019 |access-date=14 December 2019 |archive-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213150742/http://www.mzamin.com/article.php?mzamin=203653 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A tender was floated for the procurement of a command ship in 2017. The vessel will be used as a floating command centre during different operations.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/997.pdf| title=Tender specification of vessel Type C (comd. vessel)| publisher=dgdp| access-date=18 February 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219095610/http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/997.pdf| archive-date=19 February 2017| url-status=dead}}</ref> Several tenders were floated to procure a total of six [[Landing craft tank]]s for the army between 2017 and 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://dailyasianage.com/news/71502/wms-to-build-two-combat-tank-carriers-for-army|title=WMS to build two combat tank carriers for Army|work=The Asian Age|date=5 July 2017|access-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808075406/http://dailyasianage.com/news/71502/wms-to-build-two-combat-tank-carriers-for-army|archive-date=8 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/2089.pdf| title=Technical specification of vessel Type A| publisher=DGDP| access-date=2 February 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064247/http://www.dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/2089.pdf| archive-date=3 February 2018| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/2261.pdf| title=Technical specification of vessel Type A| publisher=DGDP| access-date=23 April 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424072134/http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/2261.pdf| archive-date=24 April 2018| url-status=dead}}</ref> Bangladesh army issued tender for procuring two ''Troops Carrier Vessels (TCV)'' in January 2018. The vessels will be able to carry 200 personnel.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/2082.pdf| title=Technical specification of vessel Type B| publisher=DGDP| access-date=2 February 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202190531/http://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/2082.pdf| archive-date=2 February 2018| url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 29 June 2021, Government to Government (G2G) defence [[Memorandum of understanding|memorandum of understanding (MoU)]] signed between [[Bangladesh]] and [[Turkey]]. According to Dr. İsmail Demir, president of [[Presidency of Defense Industries]], the export agreement of various products of [[Roketsan]] has been signed with [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="Roketsan BD AA 1">{{cite news|title= ROKETSAN Bangladeş'e ihracat yapacak (ROKETSAN will export to Bangladesh)|url= https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/roketsan-bangladese-ihracat-yapacak/2288878|publisher= [[Anadolu Agency]]|access-date= 1 July 2021|date= 29 June 2021|language= tr|archive-date= 29 June 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210629141110/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/roketsan-bangladese-ihracat-yapacak/2288878|url-status= live}}</ref> Roketsan already delivered [[TRG-300 Tiger]] [[Multiple rocket launcher|MLRS]] to the Bangladesh Army in June 2021 from a separate agreement.<ref>{{Cite news |title=PM includes 'Tiger Multiple Launch Rocket System' in Bangladesh Army |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/pm-includes-tiger-multiple-launch-rocket-system-bangladesh-army-2114633 |date=21 June 2021 |access-date=1 July 2021 |work=The Daily Star |archive-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629021214/https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/pm-includes-tiger-multiple-launch-rocket-system-bangladesh-army-2114633 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a ceremony on 27 October 2021, the Prime Minister discussed about the ongoing modernization plan of the Bangladesh Army and its upcoming equipment. She states that one regiment of 105&nbsp;mm and 155&nbsp;mm each artillery guns have been procured to increase the artillery power. She added that process of procuring one battery of [[Oerlikon GDF|Oerlikon GDF-009]] was going on. Government had signed a contract to procure Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) systems and two batteries of radar controlled air defence guns. The government also procured six [[Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle|MALE UAV]] and a tactical missile system for the Bangladesh Army.<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:সার্বভৌমত্ব রক্ষাসহ জাতীয় যে কোনো প্রয়োজনে সেনাবাহিনী প্রস্তুত থাকবে: প্রধানমন্ত্রী |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangla/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%AD%E0%A7%8C%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%80 |date=27 October 2021 |access-date=28 October 2021 |work=The Daily Star |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027173130/https://www.thedailystar.net/bangla/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%AD%E0%A7%8C%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%80 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Medals of the Bangladesh Armed Forces]]
* [[Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory]]
* [[Bangladesh Ordnance Factories]]
* [[List of serving generals of the Bangladesh Army]]
* [[Border Guards Bangladesh]]
* [[Rapid Action Battalion]]
* [[Bangladesh Air Force]]
{{div col end}}

{{Portal bar|Bangladesh}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|collapsible=true|d=Q4855270|voy=Bangladesh}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bd0150) Library of Congress Country Studies assessment of Bangladesh Army (1988)]
* [[Bangladesh Armed Forces#Training institutes of Bangladesh Air Force]]

{{Bangladesh topics}}
{{Military of Bangladesh}}
{{Ministry of Defence (Bangladesh)}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Bangladesh Army| ]]
[[Category:Government agencies of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1971]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Uniformed services of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Independence Award]]