Bangladesh News Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF)

[Flextape]

Also manpads.They were supposed to be made with Chinese TOT as rumors suggest. but It seems army changed their mind.We can expect something from Europe,Turkey,Korea.

Not sure on that either, but for now none of them are made at home

 

[Isa Khan]

Political will has lot to do with this!

If there is no national road map and supportive mechanism from government ( like Turkiye has ) for private companies to participate in national defence industry, it is very unlikely that any private company completely on its own be able to do anything meaningful.
specially in our context where we don't have any meaningful defence industry yet.

Quite easy to throw a remark and blame govt for everything. AFAIK weapon is listed as export item in BD and it's not that the govt stops anyone from investing in this sector. The thing is no one has taken the initiative so far cause they don't have the technological expertise or R&D in this sector except the govt/military.

Also, for now Govt/military owned organizations/factories are fulfilling the military's requirement so far and might keep doing that for a long time. It doesn't have to be Walton to do everything and govt isn't waiting for private companies to step in for self-sufficiency in this sector.

 

[Afif]

Quite easy to throw a remark and blame govt for everything. AFAIK weapon is listed as export item in BD and it's not that the govt stops anyone from investing in this sector. The thing is no one has taken the initiative so far cause they don't have the technological expertise or R&D in this sector except the govt/military.

Also, for now Govt/military owned organizations/factories are fulfilling the military's requirement so far and might keep doing that for a long time. It doesn't have to be Walton to do everything and govt isn't waiting for private companies to step in for self-sufficiency in this sector.

That doesn't change my point,

Government or more precisely, army has its own comapnies like BOF and BMTF but non of them unfortunately has any expertise in high level electronics.
Which is the most critical component of modern weapories.

I mean, when BOF start to take steps for locally manufacturing guided rockets and ATGM and manads they will require critical electronic supplies

And in that domain, I don't know anyone better than walton ( in particular ) as it has the best Infrastructure and human resources for R&D in electronics, that's why I mentioned its name. But it could be anybody else.

As air force chief pointed out, the best way to advanced bangladesh aerospace and defence industry through 'public private partnership'

(govt isn't waiting for private companies to step in)

Well, government should encourage private tech companies to participate at some level and take initiatives in this regard for long term consideration.

I don't understand, why do you seeing that problematic!

 

[Isa Khan]

Well, government should encourage private tech companies to participate at some level and take initiatives in this regard for long term consideration.

I don't understand, why do you seeing that problematic!

Doesn't really matter what your point is, that's reality for now. When did I say it's problematic? Just because Walton manufactures few electronic products doesn't automatically makes it eligible for manufacturing defense products. It takes time if a company wants to invest in defense industry. Not gonna happen overnight.

For example, earlier you were talking about "Walton Aerospace" but currently only BAF has skilled manpower to do any project. Companies like Aselsan, Roketsan are focused on defense industry from the start, Walton isn't. So even if Walton teams-up with Aselsan, Roketsan to acquire tech, it'll take time to absorb them.

For rockets, ATGM and MANPAD, the company which will transfer the tech, will be responsible for supplying the components as we currently lack skilled manpower and R&D. You keep blaming the govt but what exactly they aren't doing? Not allocating land? Not providing tax exemption, incentive? Be more specific.

 

[Afif]

Doesn't really matter what your point is, that's reality for now. When did I say it's problematic? Just because Walton manufactures few electronic products doesn't automatically makes it eligible for manufacturing defense products. It takes time if a company wants to invest in defense industry. Not gonna happen overnight.

For example, earlier you were talking about "Walton Aerospace" but currently only BAF has skilled manpower to do any project. Companies like Aselsan, Roketsan are focused on defense industry from the start, Walton isn't. So even if Walton teams-up with Aselsan, Roketsan to acquire tech, it'll take time to absorb them.

For rockets, ATGM and MANPAD, the company which will transfer the tech, will be responsible for supplying the components as we currently lack skilled manpower and R&D. You keep blaming the govt but what exactly they aren't doing? Not allocating land? Not providing tax exemption, incentive? Be more specific.

You are assuming things that I didn't meant.
I never said, walton ( or any other company for that matter ) is going to do anything meaningful overnight!
Of course, it will take time to absorb and develop these techs.

In your word, just because walton only manufacture 'few electronics'
doesn't automatically makes it eligible for manufacturing defense for you.
I completely agree,
But here's the thing, if anyone has meaningful potential to manufacture 'critical electronics' for defense application in the future, I believe the best option would be Walton.
Because, they at least manufactures 'few electronics'
while other possible companies ( public or private ) does not even manufacture these 'few electronics' at that level. ( nor they has the similar infrastructure )

I am not blaming government.
I am just saying what they 'should do,'
Which is 'take the first step in private-public partnership in defense sector'
As i stated above for example, if BOF start a production line for ATGM and MANPAD, government can commission Walton to participate in the project and team with BOF to supply the electronics with TOT from aboard.
of course, first few years it would be mostly just assembly, with most parts coming from aboard.
but it will develop skill and manpower. and Walton got the best infrastructure for that, at least when it comes to electronics.

And step like, incentive, allocating some funds for RD projects, even on small scale would very helpful in the beginning. ( in that case, IP rights would belong to the amry or state )

There is a difference between blaming someone, and expecting what someone can, and should do.

 

[Isa Khan]

I mean, when BOF start to take steps for locally manufacturing guided rockets and ATGM and manads they will require critical electronic supplies

And in that domain, I don't know anyone better than walton ( in particular ) as it has the best Infrastructure and human resources for R&D in electronics, that's why I mentioned its name. But it could be anybody else.

I never said, walton ( or any other company for that matter ) is going to do anything meaningful overnight!

You're expecting Walton (or any other company) to supply electronic components for ATGM and MANPAD projects which is already in motion when no Bangladeshi company isn't even in this sector yet. So looks like you are expecting to happen overnight.

only thing truly lacking here is the political will.

Political will has lot to do with this!

If there is no national road map and supportive mechanism from government

I am not blaming government.

It looks that way though.

 

[Afif]

You're expecting Walton (or any other company) to supply electronic components for ATGM and MANPAD projects which is already in motion when no Bangladeshi company isn't even in this sector yet. So looks like you are expecting to happen overnight.

you missed that part from my post.

"of course, first few years it would be mostly just assembly, with most parts coming from aboard.
but it will develop skill and manpower. and Walton got the best infrastructure for that, at least when it comes to electronics."

 

[Isa Khan]

did you missed that part from my post?

"of course, first few years it would be mostly just assembly, with most parts coming from aboard.
but it will develop skill and manpower. and Walton got the best infrastructure for that, at least when it comes to electronics."

Yup, looks like you made edit after I quoted you.

 

[Afif]

@Isa Khan Could you give any source for ATGM and MANPAD project being in motion ?
it would be helpful.

 

[Afif]

Q. 1. Do you know how things are moving so rapidly after
years and years of delays on these very same projects?
Ans: Yes, puppet Sheikh Hassina is gone.

@Isa Khan @PutinBro @Flextape

 

[Isa Khan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1911678532096578011

 

[Isa Khan]

 

[Isa Khan]

Looks like BOF is starting production for 155mm and 105mm arty shells.

 

[Isa Khan]

BOF is planning to produce SMG

 

[Isa Khan]

Upgraded BD-08 with thermal reflex sight.

 

[Isa Khan]

The Bangladesh Army's Mi-171Sh mounted Arsenal MG-1MS machine gun modified with a BOF-made picatinny rail (BOF-PR) and collimator sight.

 

[Isa Khan]

The Bangladesh Army will establish a modern factory on the premises of the closed Jalil Textile Mills at Fouzdarhat in Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong district for producing military equipment and arms, said Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Thursday.

The government formally handed over 54.99 acres of land under the Bangladesh Textiles Mills Corporation to the Bangladesh Army at a symbolic price on Thursday afternoon for the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory (BOF) following an agreement, he said.

The contract was signed between the government and the Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF) of the Bangladesh Army on mill premises as part of the land transfer process.

The factory will help meet the country's demand for arms and could generate substantial foreign exchange by exporting weapons produced there, the Army chief added.

He thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and all concerned for facilitating the land transfer.

“This is not only about meeting the country's needs; the facility will also be developed as an export-oriented industry,” General Waker said, adding that there is demand for Bangladeshi arms in many countries.

If bureaucratic complexities can be removed, Bangladesh could earn significant foreign currency through arms exports, he said.

Explaining the choice of the hilly site at Fouzdarhat, the Army chief said its proximity to Chittagong Port will facilitate the production of modern and sophisticated military equipment and help enhance the country's defence capabilities.

He described the project as part of efforts to strengthen the country's strategic security, saying a long-closed industrial facility will now begin a new chapter in a different form.

Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir attended the program as the chief guest.

He said the global defence industry and technology have undergone revolutionary changes, with drones and other military equipment now available at comparatively lower costs in high demand.

The government will provide all necessary support for arms and defence exports, the minister said, adding that the initiative will take Bangladesh to a new level.

Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam and Quartermaster General of the Army Lieutenant General Mohammad Shaheenul Haque were also present.

After the signing ceremony, the minister and the Army chief inspected the abandoned factory premises and later planted trees there.

Jalil Textile Mills began operations in 1961 on around 55 acres of land as a prominent manufacturer of yarn and fabrics. The mill played an important role in the country's textile industry for decades but eventually suffered successive losses and mounting difficulties.

Its production operations were finally shut down in 2004. The premises remained abandoned for years before the necessary procedures and formalities were completed to transfer the land to the Army.

The transfer marks the beginning of a new chapter at a site long associated with the history and heritage of Bangladesh's textile industry.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/amp/bangladesh/418454/army-to-build-modern-arms-factory-at-closed-jalil