Bangladesh
the largest deltaic region of the world is a small state
overarched by the geographical presence of India. Its
idea of security is in tune with Barry Buzan’s
idea that domestic threats to a weak state can almost
never be isolated from the influence of outside powers,
thus entangling domestic security problems with its
external relations. Buzan further states that the tyranny
of geography is the most important factor in the defense-vulnerability
of the small states.
Bangladesh
poses a host of security problems, which are no longer
of conventional nature but have non-conventional nature
i.e. Non-traditional security issues which are in
the state of constant evolution. On the economic front
Bangladesh has to reduce the vicious circle of foreign
aid dependence and debt servicing, further on it needs
to exploit and explore to the fullest its oil, gas
and sea resources.
Military
The Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air
Force are composed of regular military personnel.
Some of the senior officers and noncommissioned officers
served in the Pakistan
military before the 1971 independence war. Senior
officers include "repatriates" who were
interned in Pakistan during the war, and "freedom
fighters" who fought against Pakistan. The army
is modeled and organized along British
lines, similar to other armies on the Indian subcontinent.
However, it has adopted U.S.
Army tactical planning procedures, training management
techniques, and noncommissioned officer educational
systems. The Bangladesh
Navy is mostly limited to coastal patrolling. It is
supported by artillery, armored, and combat units.
In addition to traditional defense roles, the military
has been called on to provide support to civil authorities
for disaster relief and internal security. The Bangladesh
Air Force and Navy perform traditional military
missions. A Coast Guard has been formed, under the
Home Ministry, to play a stronger role in the area
of anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, and protection of
offshore resources. Recognition of economic and fiscal
constraints has led to the establishment of several
paramilitary and auxiliary forces, including the Bangladesh
Rifles; the Ansars and Village Defense Parties Organization,
which claims 64 members in every village in the country;
and a specialized police unit known as the Armed Police.
The Bangladesh Rifles, under the authority of the
Home Ministry, are commanded by army officers who
are seconded to the organization.
Military branches: Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force,
paramilitary forces (includes Bangladesh
Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Village Defense Parties,
National Cadet Corps), Armed Police battalions
The highest award given by the Bangladesh Armed Forces
is the Bir Sreshtho
| Army |
90,000 |
| Navy |
7,500 |
| Air
force |
5,000. |
Most
powerful and prestigious Ninth Infantry Division
near Dhaka
and Twenty-fourth Infantry Division at Chittagong.
Other important infantry divisions at Rangpur,
Jessore, Bogra, and Comilla--the latter two
containing country's armor regiments. |
| Army |
Type
54/55 tanks
Chinese-made
Type 59 main battle tanks
Type
62 light tanks
105mm
and 122mm howitzers
60mm
and 120mm mortars
57mm,
76mm, and 106mm antitank weapons. |
| Navy |
Leopard-class
Type 41
Salisbury-class Type 61 frigates
modern Chinese-made Hegu-class.
P4-class
Hainan-class
Shanghai II-class fast attack
craft primarily for use in territorial waters
|
| Air
Force |
three
squadrons
comprising MiG-21s
Chinese-made F-6s and A-5s
Soviet An-26 transports
Americanmade Bell 212
Soviet Mi-8 helicopters |
| Important
supplement to armed forces. In 1988 consisted
of 30,000-member Bangladesh Rifles, 20,000-member
Ansars (security guards), and 5,000-member Armed
Police, all subordinate to Ministry of Home
Affairs. Used to extend governmental authority
and ensure law and order in border and internal
areas and backup to army in wartime. Village
Defence Party of 10 million (males and females)
largely involved in village security. |
