Bangladesh Army

Bangladesh Army
Name	Bangladesh Army
Founded	1971
Country	Bangladesh
Type	Army
Role	Combined arms, land warfare
Size	~200,000 active
Garrison	Dhaka Cantonment
Colors	Red, green
Anniversaries	Armed Forces Day (21 November)
Commander in chief	Sheikh Hasina
Chief of army staff	General Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan

Bangladesh Army

The Bangladesh Army is the principal land force of Bangladesh formed during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. It traces origins to the Mukti Bahini, the East Pakistan Rifles, and pre-1947 formations tied to British Indian Army lineages such as the Bengal Regiment. The institution has since participated in national defense, internal security during crises like the 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état, and international operations including numerous United Nations peacekeeping missions.

History

The army emerged amid the Bangladesh Liberation War against Pakistan in 1971, with key actions around Mymensingh, Sylhet, and the Battle of Garibpur. Post-independence periods saw reorganisation influenced by veterans of the Mukti Bahini and cadres trained abroad in places such as India, United Kingdom, and United States. The force endured political turmoil during the coups of 1975 and 1981 that involved figures linked to Ziaur Rahman and Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Reforms in the 1990s and 2000s were shaped by interactions with defense partners including China, Russia, and Turkey, and institutional developments mirrored trends in regional militaries like Indian Army and Myanmar Army.

Organisation and Structure

The army is organised into divisions, brigades, regiments and battalions with garrisons at cantonments such as Dhaka Cantonment, Chittagong Cantonment, and Sylhet Cantonment. Major combat arms include infantry regiments such as the East Bengal Regiment, armoured formations equipped with platforms influenced by purchases from China North Industries Group Corporation and Russia's Rosoboronexport, and artillery regiments analogous to structures in the Pakistan Army and Turkish Land Forces. Support branches cover engineers trained along doctrines similar to those of the Royal Engineers, signals modelled on British Army systems, and medical corps cooperating with institutions like Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

Command-level posts interact with national institutions including the Ministry of Defence and inter-service bodies such as the Armed Forces Division. Staff colleges, war colleges, and doctrine centres collaborate with foreign institutions including the National Defence College (India) and United States Army War College for higher command development.

Personnel and Training

Recruitment draws from across Bangladesh with entry routes via institutions like the Bangladesh Military Academy and the Officer Cadet School. Training emphasises combined-arms tactics, counter-insurgency methods derived from experiences in internal security incidents such as events in Chittagong Hill Tracts, and UN peace enforcement rules of engagement. Senior officers attend staff courses and exchange programs with militaries of United Kingdom, China, India, Turkey, and United States. Professional education integrates lessons from conflicts such as the Kargil War, Gulf War, and peacekeeping case studies from United Nations Protection Force deployments.

Equipment and Capabilities

Capabilities span small arms sourced from manufacturers associated with Norinco, FN Herstal, and Heckler & Koch; armoured assets influenced by acquisitions from China (e.g., Type 59 variants) and upgrades involving firms linked to Ukraine and Russia. Artillery systems include towed and self-propelled platforms reminiscent of designs used by the Turkish Armed Forces and Russian Ground Forces. Air defence and engineering equipment are procured to enable independent operations and civil assistance missions similar to those executed by the Indian Armed Forces during natural disasters. Logistics and C4ISR improvements reflect cooperation with technology partners such as Israel Aerospace Industries and Thales Group-style systems.

Operations and Deployments

Domestically, the army has been deployed for disaster response to cyclones in Cox's Bazar and flood relief operations in the Brahmaputra and Meghna basins. Historically, units participated in internal security operations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and counter-terrorism activities in response to incidents linked to groups influenced by regional extremists. Internationally, the army has contributed to UN missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Haiti, and Lebanon, often providing infantry battalions, formed police units, and engineering contingents.

International Cooperation and Peacekeeping

The army is a major troop contributor to United Nations peacekeeping, partnering with multinational contingents from India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria, and Ghana in operations such as MONUSCO, UNAMID, and MINUSTAH. Training exchanges and joint exercises have been conducted with forces from United States, China, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Defense diplomacy includes bilateral visits by chiefs of staff, procurement links with companies like Norinco and Rosoboronexport, and participation in multinational fora like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation-affiliated events and Bangladesh–China–India–Myanmar Forum-style engagement.

Insignia, Traditions and Ceremonial

Regimental insignia reflect legacies from the Bengal Regiment and symbols used during the Liberation War, incorporating national motifs tied to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and independence iconography. Ceremonial units perform drills similar to the British Army guard of honour traditions during state visits by leaders from India, China, and United Kingdom. Military honours awarded include equivalents to decorations like the Bir Sreshtho, Bir Uttom, Bir Bikrom, and Bir Protik for gallantry in the Bangladesh Liberation War and subsequent operations. Annual parades and observances occur on national dates such as Victory Day (Bangladesh) and Armed Forces Day, often hosted at venues like the Suhrawardy Udyan and Dhaka Cantonment parade grounds.

Category:Military of Bangladesh Category:1971 establishments in Bangladesh