Bangladesh Defence

Bangladesh will raise 19 new battalions over the next five years to guard its porous borders with India and Myanmar, the chief of the country's paramilitary frontier force said here today.
"We will raise the battalions in phases in next five years alongside creating four regional headquarters as a new tier in the structure of the frontier force and four new sectors under a massive reconstruction plan for Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)," Major General Rafiqul Islam told PTI in an interview.
The paramilitary force, known as Bangladesh Rifles till last month, is now known as Border Guard Bangladesh.
The border force is undergoing a massive overhaul with its name, laws, uniform and monogram all changed to give it a new look in the aftermath of the 2009 mutiny in which 57 officers were killed.
Islam said the regional headquarters of the force would be set up at northeastern Sarail, southeastern Chittagong, western Jessore and northwestern Naogaon.
The BGB chief said additional manpower would enable the paramilitary frontier force to reduce the existing gaps in its frontier outposts from 10 kilometres to five kilometers while borders guards would also be equipped with motorbikes to patrol the frontlines.
Currently the BGB has 46 battalions but the force was hit by a major crisis after some 6,000 soldiers were accused of mutiny charges. This also necessitated recruitments and restructuring of the frontier force.
BGB officials familiar with the rebuilding process said the frontier force would also construct observation towers to keep a vigil on the borders and a process was underway to procure 17,000 motorbikes for the border guards.
The initiatives to overhaul the force are aimed at freeing it of the stigma of the February, 2009 mutiny when 74 people, including 57 army officers serving the paramilitary force were killed at its Pilkhana headquarters in Dhaka.
Several hundred accused border guards have already been jailed for up to seven years under the relatively lenient BDR Act of the frontier guards.
Around 800 "core culprits" of the mutiny are set to be put on trial on March 5 on charges of involvement in killings, lootings, hostage-taking and torturing army officers and their family members during the rebellion.
The newly-enacted BGB Act has prescribed death penalty for such a mutiny. The new Act has also laid down a provision for qualified soldiers to be given a chance to join the army as commissioned officers with due recruitment procedures.
"Every force of the country will have to abide by their laws to evade any unfortunate event in future... I believe you clearly understand from the core of your heart what damage could be caused if it is violated," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said last month as the BDR was formally renamed as BGM at a ceremony at Pilkhana, the scene of the carnage.

General VK Singh, the Indian Army Chief who took part in the 1971 Indo-Pak war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh, on Sunday arrived in Dhaka on a five-day official visit to deepen military ties between the two neighbours.

General Singh, who is here at the invitation of his Bangladeshi counterpart General Mohammed Abdul Mubeen, will be the chief guest at the passing-out parade at Bangladesh Military Academy on June 22 in southeastern port city of Chittagong, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. The presence of the top Indian General at the ceremony was expected to inspire young Bangladeshi officers with the spirit of 1971 Liberation War.

Commissioned in the Rajput Regiment, Singh took part in the Bangladesh's Liberation War and was part of the operations in several areas, including Feni and Cox's Bazar.

General Singh made special efforts to boost military-to-military ties with Bangladesh as India's eastern army commander based in Kolkata prior to taking over as the Army chief.

The top General, who is accompanied by his wife Bharati Singh and senior army officials, is expected to call on President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He will also meet the chiefs of three services and visit different military installations in the country.

According to earlier reports, General Singh has brought with him two 3.7 inch howitzers and a modern lab of 50 computers for training of troops.

The Indian Army chief will also gift a rock-climbing wall to the Bangladesh Army to help train its mountaineers.

By Prasun K. Sengupta

Bangladesh’s state-owned Khulna Shipyard recently signed a contract with China’s Shanghai-based Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard and the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Ltd (CSOC) for licence-building five inshore patrol vessels (IPV) and seven guided-missile corvettes. While the IPVs are based on the 80-tonne Huang Pu-class vessel, the guided-missile corvettes, to be built to a brand-new design, will each have a displacement of 260 tonnes, length of 46 metres, beamwidth of 7.4 metres, and have a top speed of 30 Knots. While the CSOC will supply the first two guided-missile corvettes off-the-shelf, the remaining five will be licence-built by Khulna Shipyard. Each such vessel will be armed with up to four CPMIEC-built C-802A anti-ship cruise missiles. The IPVs will each have a length of 27.5 metres, beamwidth of 5.5 metres, and a maximum speed of 18 Knots. On-board armaments will comprise twin 14.5mm machine guns. For navigational purposes, one I-band Type 347G mast-mounted radar will be installed on each IPV. The combat information centre (CIC) for the FFGs and guided-missile corvettes will be supplied by CETC International. It may be recalled that Dhaka had announced an ambitious force modernisation plan in February 2009 for its armed forces, which included the procurement of anti-armour guided-missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles, up to four medium-range maritime patrol aircraft, two guided-missile frigates (FFG), a regiment of NORINCO-built Type 96G main battle tanks, and two CATIC-supplied Z-9C shipborne helicopters. Subsequently, Bangladesh’s Parliamentary Standing Committee in June 2009 agreed in principle to approve a 10-year force modernisation programme (known as the ‘deterrent force’ and to be fully realised by 2021), under which the Bangladesh Navy would acquire two stealthy FFGs, seven guided-missile corvettes, three large OPVs equipped with helicopter decks, 12 maritime patrol craft, one diesel-electric submarine, two landing craft (utility), two hydrographic survey ships, one salvage vessel, five coastal IPVs, and new-generation anti-ship cruise missiles (Otomat Mk2 Block 4 from MBDA and C-802A from CPMIEC) and short-range air-defence systems (FN-90N) for installation on board the Navy’s existing FFGs — BNS Osman and BNS Bangabandhu. The Bangladesh Navy in future is expected to replace its three existing ex-Royal Navy frigates (BNS Abu Bakar, BNS Ali Haider and BNS Umar Farooq) with three new-generation FFGs to be provided by CSOC. Each such FFG will have a displacement of 1,500 tonnes, length of 97 metres, beamwidth of 10.90 metres, and a maximum speed of 30 Knots. The FFG will also be able to accommodate a medium-twin shipborne helicopter like the Z-9C, and will be armed with a 76mm main gun, up to 30 vertically-launched 35km-range air-defence missiles, twin triple-torpedo launch tubes, and four C-802A anti-ship cruise-missiles. It is believed that the Pakistan Navy too has evinced interest in acquiring three such stealthy FFGs, with contract negotiations with CSOC now reported to be in progress. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Navy’s Vice Admiral Tanveer Faiz Ahmed on March 1 laid the keel of the first of two Type 022 Hobei-class fast attack craft FACs on order at China’s Xinggang Shipyard in Tianjin. The Type 022 Hobei-class catamarans, which have been mass-produced since 2002 by up to four Chinese shipyards (Xinggang Shipyard in Tianjin, Quixin and Jiangnan shipyards in Shanghai, Huangpu Shipyard in Guangzhou, and at Dalian Shipyard), were jointly designed by Australia-based AMD Marine Consulting and Guangzhou-based Sea Bus International. The vessels, capable of attaining a top speed of 38 Knots, feature a wave-piercing catamaran hull design known as small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH), which becomes very stable even on choppy seas. The bulk of the displacement necessary to keep the catamaran afloat is located beneath the waves, where it is less affected by wave action, as wave excitation drops exponentially with depth. The Type 022 Hobei-class catamaran has a full-load displacement of 224 tonnes, length of 42.6 metres, beamwidth of 12.2 metres, draught of 1.5 metres, and a crew complement of 12. The propulsion system comprises twin diesel engines each rated at 6,865hp (5,119kW) and driving four KAMEWA waterjet propulsors. The armaments package comprises four CPMIEC-built YJ-83 (C-802A) anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) housed in two large stern-mounted missile launchers, one bridge-mounted FLS-1 surface-to-air missile launcher along with 12 QW-2 missiles, and one KBP-designed AO-18 six-barrel 30mm gun.

Bangladesh is buying two the Chinese Jiangwei II (053H3) frigates. The export versions are called the F-22. The 342 foot long Jiangwei II displaces 2,500 tons, and carries an eight cell short range (8.6 kilometers) surface-to-air missile system, two, four cell anti-ship missile systems (200 kilometers range C-803s), one four cell launcher for rocket launched anti-submarine torpedoes, a 76.2mm gun, two 30mm anti-missiles auto-cannon, and a helicopter. Top speed is 50 kilometers an hour, crew size is 170 sailors, and each ship will cost about $200 million.

Bangladesh is expected to get a large discount, in order to improve diplomatic relations with China. The F-22 has proved to be a popular export item, as it provides a lot of warship for the money.

The U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and the Bangladesh Armed Forces concluded their second annual Pacific Resilience Disaster Response Exercise & Exchange (DREE) in Dhaka. The four day event, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Civil-Military Emergency Preparedness (CMEP) program, fostered security cooperation and best practices in responding to and recovering from a catastrophic earthquake. Over 130 participants from 35 different organizations participated in the DREE. They brought together civilian and military representatives across all aspects of government and non-government organizations providing a comprehensive medium to work together towards achieving common emergency preparedness, response, and recovery goals. The program emphasized security cooperation, civil-military integration, and the impact of foreign humanitarian assistance on emergency response. It used procedures, techniques, and a variety of Bangladesh and U.S. Subject Matter Experts to share humanitarian assistance/disaster response capabilities, knowledge, and lessons learned. In addition, the event featured three unique Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) activities focused on medical, logistics, and civil-military operations.
In his opening remarks, U.S. Charge d'Affaires Nicholas Dean said, "The DREE is an effort to better prepare and enhance collaboration between the Bangladesh Armed Forces and the U.S. Army Pacific in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Programs like this strengthen our partnership and ensure we are ready to respond in times of crisis." The DREE consisted of panel sessions, roundtable discussions, and a practical exercise centered on an earthquake affecting Bangladesh. "The exercise was a great interactive opportunity for all of the participants. The lessons learned from this experience can be incorporated into our existing disaster response plans," said LTC Mohammmad Tawhid-Ul-Islam, Bangladesh Armed Forces Division.
The May 2011 Regional Earthquake Response Seminar, hosted by the U.S. Embassy and Armed Forces Division, informed the theme of this event, "Developing U.S. – Bangladesh Disaster Response Interoperability from Port of Entry to Point of Impact." All participants held in-depth discussions on how to quickly move humanitarian aid from a variety of Bangladesh's ports of entry, such as Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, to areas that could be the epicenter of a major seismic event. "After last week's earthquake in the Sikkim region, this event was timely and beneficial.
Participants were able to build interpersonal relationships, and I feel we are better prepared to respond to an earthquake in South Asia," stated LTC Brady Crosier, U.S. Army Pacific. The event's closing ceremony included speeches by Major General Raymond Rees from the Oregon National Guard and Lieutenant General Abdul Wadud from the Bangladesh Armed Forces.

 weekly blitz

                        The field in front of Jessore Degree College was used as killing ground

  The Mukti bahini in Dhaka stadium at the reception ceremony of their leader Kader Siddiqui. Dhaka, Bangladesh. December 18, 1971
  Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw of the Indian army addresses troops with helmets, during Liberation War. Bangladesh. 1971.
                                             Mukti Bahini in December 8, 1971.

                         Torchlight procession in front of Shahid Minar (Monument for the martyr of Language Movement during 21 February 1952) in Dhaka, Bangladesh

                       Students on the streets during the non-coperation movement of 1970.
                         Victorious Mukti Bahini returning home at the end of the war.
                                 Pakistani soldiers surrendering on the 16th December 1971
                                                      Children amidst shells.

                                                 A raped girl by Pakistani army at 1971

                                    New Market of Kushtia, destroyed by Allied bombing.
General Niazi was the first to sign the document of surrender, sitting beside him was General Aurora of the Indian army. They are flanked by commander of the Bangladesh Air Force, A.K. Khondokar and Indian Army officers. Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said modernisation of the Bangladesh Army would be completed in four phases within the tenure of the present government.

The Prime Minister was addressing senior army officers after attending a parade ceremony at Syedpur Cantonment in the morning.

The parade was arranged on the occasion of awarding the national standard to Bangladesh Army-run Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) Centre and School.

The EME Centre and School was given the national flag for the EME Corps’ historic contributions to the 1971 Liberation War and the school’s role in development of the Bangladesh Army.

Addressing the army commanders, the Prime Minister said the five-year plan to modernise the army would be completed in time.

“The process of implementing the Bangladesh Army’s Forces Goal 2030 is going on,” she said.

Hasina said when the Army’s Forces Goal 2030 would fully be implemented, it surely be turned to be a modern and effective force.

She also urged the officers to come up with innovative ideas and increase the use of modern ICT technologies for their professional development.

Earlier addressing the parade ceremony, the PM has asked the Bangladesh Army to remain always ready to protect the country’s sovereignty and independence.

The Prime Minister assured the Bangladesh Army of talking to the United Nations to ensure the participation of the force’s every corps in peacekeeping missions.

She said the government is strongly committed to establishing the Bangladesh Army as a well-disciplined, skilled and modern force in the world.

Hasina said the responsibility of the EME Corps is very significant as it has to take care of all modern equipment and arms of the force.

Though the Army’s main duty is to protect national independence and sovereignty, it has a long history of standing by people during the natural calamities, she added.

She recalled with gratitude that a total of 1,400 members of the EME Corps took part in the Liberation War and of which 162 members embraced martyrdom.

After taking office this time, Hasina said her government has taken various steps for further modernisation of the force.

Instead of just depending on import, Bangladesh herself is producing automatic rifles while the army and other forces are being modernised with the latest equipment and instruments, she said.

The Prime Minister said the engineering construction companies of the army are being reorganised so that they can do big and quality engineering jobs.

She mentioned that not only in the Army, modernisation is also taking place in the Air and Naval forces, as the government is going to buy new fighter planes, helicopters and air defense rudder while the Navy has already got two offshore patrol vessels and two hydrographic vessels.

She expressed happiness over the performances of the forces, both at home and abroad.

Hasina recalled that the previous Awami League government had established the National Defense College, Non-commissioned Officers Academy, and Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation and Training School.

She said two new brigades, one riverine engineering battalion, one support battalion, one ordnance company, and 36 units, including one field ambulance, were set up during the last tenure.

The previous Awami League government, she mentioned, established the Military Institute of Science and Technology, Armed Force Medical College, Armed Forces Nursing Institute, and bought Mig-29 aircrafts, training aircrafts and helicopters for the Air Force while four FT-7B fighter planes were also procured.

Earlier, on her arrival at the parade ground, the Prime Minister was received by Army Chief General Abdul Mubeen.

A smartly turned out contingent of the Army presented a spectacular parade. The Prime Minister took salute and inspected the parade riding an open jeep.

Hasina later placed wreaths at the Gaurab Smriti Monument and planted a mango sapling on the premises.

 http://www.unbconnect.com/component/news/task-show/id-61201

The Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh and the United States Army Pacific will begin a five-day Bangladesh Disaster Response Exercise and Exchange (DREE) in the city

US Charge d' Affaires in Dhaka Nicholas Dean, US Army Major General Raymond Rees and Bangladesh Air Commodore Humayun Kabir will attend the inaugural session at the Lakeshore Hotel, says a press release.

The DREE, a comprehensive effort focusing on building multilateral interoperability in disaster response between the US and Bangladesh, is part of Pacific Resilience, the United States Army Pacific Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Initiative.

The goal of Pacific Resilience is to bring together disaster response stakeholders from government, military and civilian agencies to discuss their varied perspectives and build working relationships for future relief endeavours, particularly in the areas of medical, logistical and civil-military operations.

Russia has handed over a new nuclear powered submarine armed with torpedos and cruise missiles to India and the vessel has set sail for home with a mixed crew of Indian and Russian sailors.

The Akula class nuclear attack submarine on a ten year lease to the Indian Navy left its base on the Pacific coast earlier this week, bound for India, RIA Novosti and Interfax news agencies reported.

With the expected induction of Nerpa by year-end, it will be after 19 years that the Indian Navy would have a nuclear submarine in its fleet.

India's indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant is presently undergoing sea test trials.

However, an official of the shipyard said that the submarine was still undergoing final sea trials. The Russian Navy's Pacific Command refused to comment.

Reports said that the Nerpa submarine which has been re-christened INS Chakra leased at a cost of USD 650 million is accompanied by Russian instructors, who will help Indian naval crew to bring it to the new port of deployment.

"The Nerpa has not been yet handed over to the Indian Navy," an official of the Amur Shipyard in Russia's far eastern Khabarovsk region said over phone.

"Presently the joint Indian-Russian naval crew is completing the combat training on the high seas," the shipyard official added.

But experts here do not rule out that the Russian Navy wants to formally hand over Nerpa to the Indian Navy on the Indian coast and the so-called training mission could be a cover for security reasons.

The submarine has been handed over two years after an accident onboard during testing killed 20 people. The Amur shipyard, the builders of the sub said the vessel was now completely retrofitted after the November 2008 accident

Russia's Akula-II class submarine is considered to be the quietest nuclear submarine and during its trials by the Russian Navy since January its acoustic noises have been further reduced by the Amur Shipyard, which was initially to deliver the submarine in 2007.

 http://www.brahmand.com/news/Nerpa-nuclear-submarine-sets-sail-from-Russia-for-India/4746/1/10.html