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How secure is Bangladesh’s airspace? Is the military fully prepared to counter high-speed fighter jets, cruise missiles, or stealth drones?
When Iranian drones and missiles rained down over Israeli airspace, most were intercepted mid-air by the Iron Dome. During the 12-day conflict, Iran launched about 532 missiles, of which 42 struck the ground—meaning Israel’s air defense system intercepted roughly 92 percent of them. Elsewhere, Ukraine’s skies now roar with American Patriots, German IRIS‑T, and Israeli David’s Sling, countering Russian ballistic and cruise missile threats.
In recent India–Pakistan clashes, India employed Russia’s advanced S‑400 and the Israel‑India co-developed Barak‑8 to intercept Pakistani missiles. Conversely, Pakistan deployed China’s long-range HQ‑9/P and medium-range LY‑80 missile systems against Indian strikes. Following the Arakan Army’s capture of over 80 percent of the Rakhine state, the collapsed Junta launched successive air strikes that rattled areas along Bangladesh’s border.
In modern warfare, air defense has become the first and foremost shield. Nations are now fortifying their airspace with radar and missile-controlled systems to form impregnable aerial bunkers.
Strategically placed along the northern Bay of Bengal and bordering Myanmar, Bangladesh occupies a geopolitically sensitive zone amid India and China’s regional influence expansion. But how secure is Bangladesh’s airspace? Is the military fully prepared to counter high-speed fighter jets, cruise missiles, or stealth drones?
Data suggests that, by international standards, Bangladesh has not yet developed a strong and comprehensive air defense shield. While major military powers around the world are relying on multi-layered air defense systems to build their security perimeters, Bangladesh still remains largely confined to an outdated, short-range defense structure.
Experts warn that Bangladesh’s current air defense is troubling. Reports indicate that the FM‑90 short-range missile system, procured from China in 2011, remains the most effective ground-based defense weapon. This system can detect and hit drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. However, it is ineffective against high-speed fighters or long-range cruise missiles.
The Bangladesh Air Force operates 44 combat aircraft, including 36 Chinese-made older-generation F‑7s, and eight Soviet-era MiG‑29s. They also have 14 Russian Yak‑130 training aircraft, which are capable of light attack roles. Many of these aircraft are second or third generation and can become ineffective when facing modern stealth or radar-evasive technology. The fleet also includes 73 helicopters: 36 Russian Mi-series and 24 U.S.-made Cessna and Bell models.
Regarding Bangladesh’s air defense system, retired Major General Fazle Elahi Akbar said, “Even if our air defense system isn’t entirely zero, it’s close to it. I don’t believe the technology currently in use is effective in the context of modern military technology. These matters need urgent attention. Look at how Pakistan, with a lower GDP and per capita income than us, recently pushed India to the edge with its military power. If we ever face an attack, I don’t think our current setup would offer even a spider web’s worth of protection.”
He further said, “In the past 16 years, attention has been given to the glamour of defense rather than the defense system itself. No matter which government comes next, they must focus on this. Remember, diplomacy without deterrence is zero. Once you build military capability, you’ll see that everyone values you in diplomacy, welcomes you. Right now, we neither have an economy, a foreign policy, nor a defense system. Whatever the budget is, it must be properly allocated. The time has come to focus on air defense.”
In modern defense systems, drones play a crucial role. Military sources say the Bangladesh Armed Forces currently possess 44 drones. Of these, 36 are Bramor C4EYE models built in Slovenia. There are also six Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, which were added just last year. The Bangladesh Navy has two submarines—both made in China and inducted into the fleet in 2017. Warpower refers to these submarines as “attack submarines.”
According to the international military research platform Global Firepower, the Bangladesh Navy has a total of 117 naval vessels. Among these are seven frigates. In addition, there are six corvette-class warships. Of the frigates, four were built in China, two in the United States, and one in South Korea. The corvettes include four Chinese-made and two British-made ships.
Global Firepower also reports that the Bangladesh Armed Forces have 320 tanks in their arsenal. Altogether, they possess 464 artillery systems, of which 27 are self-propelled. Bangladesh’s anti-aircraft guns come from two sources: one series from Switzerland and four from China. The armed forces also have 77 multiple rocket launcher systems (MRLS). Among them, 49 are made in China, and the remaining 28 are two different types from Turkey.
Regarding this, retired Air Vice Marshal Mahmud Hussain told Bonik Barta, “In modern warfare, no one deploys ground troops directly anymore. The attack now takes place in the skies. That’s why it’s essential for a military force to have a strong air defense system. Simply put, whoever holds sky superiority stays ahead in the war.”
Referring to the recent Iran-Israel conflict, he said, “Israel’s attacks caused heavier losses for Iran because Tehran didn’t have a strong enough air defense system. That’s why they couldn’t intercept Israel’s strikes effectively. On the other hand, Israel was able to block Iran’s powerful missiles in the air and reduce its own damage. Even if we look at our Liberation War, Pakistan suffered a decisive defeat in the final 13 days of the war (from December 3 to 16). The key factor in that defeat was air strikes.”
He said air defense is an integrated process. To defend effectively against high-speed fighter jets, cruise missiles, or long-range bombers, mid- and long-range systems are essential. “Bangladesh’s air defense should at least be capable of covering and monitoring up to 200 nautical miles from its maritime boundary. The missile system needs to be that advanced. There must also be fighter aircraft. These are expensive, but if there’s a will, it’s possible.” Stressing the need to develop local talent, he added, “Air defense requires advanced math, physics, and engineering. In India and Pakistan, the most talented students go into the air force. But we don’t even have a military studies department in any of our universities.”
The biggest gap in Bangladesh’s air defense is the absence of medium- and long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. Without those, the country’s airspace remains fully exposed to high-intensity aerial attacks. India has already deployed the S-400 Triumf system, which secures its airspace up to 400 kilometers. Myanmar has also acquired Su-30SME and JF-17 fighter jets. Even a mid-level power such as Vietnam now possesses automated systems to intercept drones and missiles. Bangladesh on the other hand, is failing to keep pace with this reality. Its current defense system remains limited to intercepting low-flying helicopters.
Radar systems are also essential for improving air defense. According to military sources, a counter-drone surveillance system is currently in the process of being procured to tackle threats such as drones. This month, the Bangladesh Air Force added a new radar system “GM 403-M” to its arsenal.
Despite ranking 37th in the Global Firepower Index 2024, Bangladesh still lags far behind in terms of weapons modernization. Between 2009 and 2023, Bangladesh was the 28th largest arms importer in the world. However, most of those acquisitions were limited to ground warfare equipment.
Colonel (Retd.) Muhammad Sohel Rana, who previously served in the Army Aviation of the Bangladesh Army, told Bonik Barta, “Our armed forces policy is not to attack anyone, but rather to be defensive. That’s our policy. To follow that, we must strengthen our air defense system. In this regard, we are currently in the lower tier. However, over the past 10 years, considerable attention has been given to this sector.
Defensive radars have been installed. Our defense systems have adapted to identify hostile aircraft. Missile batteries have been added to the army as well. But there’s still room for improvement. Much of our ammunition is outdated. A modern air defense system is an integrated one. That’s what we’ve failed to develop. One major reason is financial. Only a small portion of the defense budget is spent here.”
Citing recent conflicts between India and Pakistan, Russia and Ukraine, and Iran and Israel, the former army officer said, “We have a lot to learn from these. The biggest lesson is that we must build a modern and powerful air defense system.” He also suggested that Bangladesh should pay attention to choosing friendly nations when it comes to arms procurement.
He added that Bangladesh has not yet developed a domestic defense industry. He said, “India and Pakistan have already built their own defense industries. We haven’t. If there were private sector investment, a large-scale industry could have emerged. This is a major gap. We can’t just keep blaming the army and the government. Everyone needs to step up. There’s also room to improve coordination and engagement between academics, researchers, and the military.”
en.bonikbarta.com
www.bonikbarta.com
When Iranian drones and missiles rained down over Israeli airspace, most were intercepted mid-air by the Iron Dome. During the 12-day conflict, Iran launched about 532 missiles, of which 42 struck the ground—meaning Israel’s air defense system intercepted roughly 92 percent of them. Elsewhere, Ukraine’s skies now roar with American Patriots, German IRIS‑T, and Israeli David’s Sling, countering Russian ballistic and cruise missile threats.
In recent India–Pakistan clashes, India employed Russia’s advanced S‑400 and the Israel‑India co-developed Barak‑8 to intercept Pakistani missiles. Conversely, Pakistan deployed China’s long-range HQ‑9/P and medium-range LY‑80 missile systems against Indian strikes. Following the Arakan Army’s capture of over 80 percent of the Rakhine state, the collapsed Junta launched successive air strikes that rattled areas along Bangladesh’s border.
In modern warfare, air defense has become the first and foremost shield. Nations are now fortifying their airspace with radar and missile-controlled systems to form impregnable aerial bunkers.
Strategically placed along the northern Bay of Bengal and bordering Myanmar, Bangladesh occupies a geopolitically sensitive zone amid India and China’s regional influence expansion. But how secure is Bangladesh’s airspace? Is the military fully prepared to counter high-speed fighter jets, cruise missiles, or stealth drones?
Data suggests that, by international standards, Bangladesh has not yet developed a strong and comprehensive air defense shield. While major military powers around the world are relying on multi-layered air defense systems to build their security perimeters, Bangladesh still remains largely confined to an outdated, short-range defense structure.
Experts warn that Bangladesh’s current air defense is troubling. Reports indicate that the FM‑90 short-range missile system, procured from China in 2011, remains the most effective ground-based defense weapon. This system can detect and hit drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. However, it is ineffective against high-speed fighters or long-range cruise missiles.
The Bangladesh Air Force operates 44 combat aircraft, including 36 Chinese-made older-generation F‑7s, and eight Soviet-era MiG‑29s. They also have 14 Russian Yak‑130 training aircraft, which are capable of light attack roles. Many of these aircraft are second or third generation and can become ineffective when facing modern stealth or radar-evasive technology. The fleet also includes 73 helicopters: 36 Russian Mi-series and 24 U.S.-made Cessna and Bell models.
Regarding Bangladesh’s air defense system, retired Major General Fazle Elahi Akbar said, “Even if our air defense system isn’t entirely zero, it’s close to it. I don’t believe the technology currently in use is effective in the context of modern military technology. These matters need urgent attention. Look at how Pakistan, with a lower GDP and per capita income than us, recently pushed India to the edge with its military power. If we ever face an attack, I don’t think our current setup would offer even a spider web’s worth of protection.”
He further said, “In the past 16 years, attention has been given to the glamour of defense rather than the defense system itself. No matter which government comes next, they must focus on this. Remember, diplomacy without deterrence is zero. Once you build military capability, you’ll see that everyone values you in diplomacy, welcomes you. Right now, we neither have an economy, a foreign policy, nor a defense system. Whatever the budget is, it must be properly allocated. The time has come to focus on air defense.”
In modern defense systems, drones play a crucial role. Military sources say the Bangladesh Armed Forces currently possess 44 drones. Of these, 36 are Bramor C4EYE models built in Slovenia. There are also six Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, which were added just last year. The Bangladesh Navy has two submarines—both made in China and inducted into the fleet in 2017. Warpower refers to these submarines as “attack submarines.”
According to the international military research platform Global Firepower, the Bangladesh Navy has a total of 117 naval vessels. Among these are seven frigates. In addition, there are six corvette-class warships. Of the frigates, four were built in China, two in the United States, and one in South Korea. The corvettes include four Chinese-made and two British-made ships.
Global Firepower also reports that the Bangladesh Armed Forces have 320 tanks in their arsenal. Altogether, they possess 464 artillery systems, of which 27 are self-propelled. Bangladesh’s anti-aircraft guns come from two sources: one series from Switzerland and four from China. The armed forces also have 77 multiple rocket launcher systems (MRLS). Among them, 49 are made in China, and the remaining 28 are two different types from Turkey.
Regarding this, retired Air Vice Marshal Mahmud Hussain told Bonik Barta, “In modern warfare, no one deploys ground troops directly anymore. The attack now takes place in the skies. That’s why it’s essential for a military force to have a strong air defense system. Simply put, whoever holds sky superiority stays ahead in the war.”
Referring to the recent Iran-Israel conflict, he said, “Israel’s attacks caused heavier losses for Iran because Tehran didn’t have a strong enough air defense system. That’s why they couldn’t intercept Israel’s strikes effectively. On the other hand, Israel was able to block Iran’s powerful missiles in the air and reduce its own damage. Even if we look at our Liberation War, Pakistan suffered a decisive defeat in the final 13 days of the war (from December 3 to 16). The key factor in that defeat was air strikes.”
He said air defense is an integrated process. To defend effectively against high-speed fighter jets, cruise missiles, or long-range bombers, mid- and long-range systems are essential. “Bangladesh’s air defense should at least be capable of covering and monitoring up to 200 nautical miles from its maritime boundary. The missile system needs to be that advanced. There must also be fighter aircraft. These are expensive, but if there’s a will, it’s possible.” Stressing the need to develop local talent, he added, “Air defense requires advanced math, physics, and engineering. In India and Pakistan, the most talented students go into the air force. But we don’t even have a military studies department in any of our universities.”
The biggest gap in Bangladesh’s air defense is the absence of medium- and long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. Without those, the country’s airspace remains fully exposed to high-intensity aerial attacks. India has already deployed the S-400 Triumf system, which secures its airspace up to 400 kilometers. Myanmar has also acquired Su-30SME and JF-17 fighter jets. Even a mid-level power such as Vietnam now possesses automated systems to intercept drones and missiles. Bangladesh on the other hand, is failing to keep pace with this reality. Its current defense system remains limited to intercepting low-flying helicopters.
Radar systems are also essential for improving air defense. According to military sources, a counter-drone surveillance system is currently in the process of being procured to tackle threats such as drones. This month, the Bangladesh Air Force added a new radar system “GM 403-M” to its arsenal.
Despite ranking 37th in the Global Firepower Index 2024, Bangladesh still lags far behind in terms of weapons modernization. Between 2009 and 2023, Bangladesh was the 28th largest arms importer in the world. However, most of those acquisitions were limited to ground warfare equipment.
Colonel (Retd.) Muhammad Sohel Rana, who previously served in the Army Aviation of the Bangladesh Army, told Bonik Barta, “Our armed forces policy is not to attack anyone, but rather to be defensive. That’s our policy. To follow that, we must strengthen our air defense system. In this regard, we are currently in the lower tier. However, over the past 10 years, considerable attention has been given to this sector.
Defensive radars have been installed. Our defense systems have adapted to identify hostile aircraft. Missile batteries have been added to the army as well. But there’s still room for improvement. Much of our ammunition is outdated. A modern air defense system is an integrated one. That’s what we’ve failed to develop. One major reason is financial. Only a small portion of the defense budget is spent here.”
Citing recent conflicts between India and Pakistan, Russia and Ukraine, and Iran and Israel, the former army officer said, “We have a lot to learn from these. The biggest lesson is that we must build a modern and powerful air defense system.” He also suggested that Bangladesh should pay attention to choosing friendly nations when it comes to arms procurement.
He added that Bangladesh has not yet developed a domestic defense industry. He said, “India and Pakistan have already built their own defense industries. We haven’t. If there were private sector investment, a large-scale industry could have emerged. This is a major gap. We can’t just keep blaming the army and the government. Everyone needs to step up. There’s also room to improve coordination and engagement between academics, researchers, and the military.”
Bangladesh’s air defense system weak despite strategic geo-political location
How secure is Bangladesh’s airspace? Is the military fully prepared to counter high-speed fighter jets, cruise missiles, or stealth drones?
en.bonikbarta.com
অত্যন্ত নাজুক বাংলাদেশের আকাশ প্রতিরক্ষা ব্যবস্থা
The Daily Bonik Barta is a Bangla newspaper of Bangladesh. The newspaper is publishing from Dhaka. The name of the editor of the newspaper is Dewan Hanif Mahmud. In 2018, the circulation of the newspaper was 134,000.
www.bonikbarta.com
