Forging Forces: The Blueprint for Bangladesh’s Self-Reliant Defence Industry
The government has drafted a blueprint to establish a ‘Defence Economic Zone,’ aiming to foster indigenous innovation, reduce import dependency, and transform Bangladesh into a self-sufficient producer of advanced military technology.
Like remote-controlled missiles redefining modern warfare, miniature drones have now added a new dimension to military capability. In today’s defence management, strategy and engineering have become inseparable. Alongside imported war equipment, the integration of technology exchange and domestic innovation has now become an integral part of strengthening military capacity.
Against this backdrop, the Government of Bangladesh has taken an initiative to establish a “Defence Economic Zone” with the aim of achieving self-reliance in the production of military equipment and technology. This move seeks to reduce the country’s dependence on imports by encouraging local manufacturing and knowledge-based innovation.
A high-level policy committee has already conducted a detailed SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the country’s defence industrial ecosystem. The study also reviewed the defence industrial models of South Korea, Turkey, India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines to find a suitable and sustainable framework for Bangladesh.
According to the draft policy, the proposed Defence Economic Zone (DEZ) will be formed under a public–private partnership (PPP). In this framework, private enterprises will lead the development of major platforms—such as drones, aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels—while state-owned organizations like the Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF) and Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) will continue to focus on producing weapons, ammunition, and auxiliary systems.
The primary objectives of the proposed policy are threefold:
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Strategic self-sufficiency through reduced reliance on foreign technology.
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Export expansion by ensuring globally competitive quality standards.
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Economic growth through the establishment of high-tech industries and employment generation.
The SWOT analysis highlights that Bangladesh’s major strengths include an adaptable and skilled workforce, existing light-weapon production facilities, and a growing industrial base. However, weaknesses such as insufficient research and development (R&D), limited production capacity, and minimal private-sector participation remain obstacles.
At the same time, there are promising opportunities for foreign investment, technology transfer, and regional export expansion. Yet, the policy acknowledges potential threats including technological dependency, global competition, and lack of transparency that may hinder long-term growth if not addressed carefully.
The comparative study shows that South Korea has achieved remarkable progress through a private-sector–driven, government-coordinated model under the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Turkey, on the other hand, has developed a dynamic defence ecosystem through its Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), encouraging private innovation led by firms such as Baykar. India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative has successfully integrated both public and private sectors in defence production. In contrast, Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) remains largely state-centric, with limited private participation.
The policy committee has therefore recommended a balanced model for Bangladesh—combining state supervision, private innovation, and international collaboration. It suggests:
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Formulating a National Defence Industry Policy to ensure coordination among the government, armed forces, and private sector.
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Increasing investment in research and development, particularly in drones, cyber defence, and artificial intelligence.
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Implementing the Defence Economic Zone (DEZ) to attract both domestic and foreign investment.
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Establishing strong transparency and accountability mechanisms to prevent corruption.
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Setting export targets and leveraging diplomatic channels to enter the global defence market.
Experts believe that with the right policy structure and execution, Bangladesh could soon transition from an import-dependent nation to a producer and exporter of advanced military equipment.
By aligning strategy with science and technology, Bangladesh now stands on the threshold of becoming a “strong, secure, and technologically sovereign nation”—marking a new chapter in its journey toward a self-reliant defence industry.
Extracted from the article written by: Golam Mahfuz Joardar, Chief Executive Officer, SeaBeach77 Limited
