Forces Goal 2030

Forces Goal 2030, first made public in 2012, is the Bangladesh Armed Forces' principal modernization program aimed at modernizing the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force, in order to establish dominance over the Bay of Bengal and to become a regional power in Asia. The Bangladesh Government has set aside an undisclosed amount of funds for the modernization program, estimated to be around 400 billion Taka(US$5.2 billion) for the first five year term, (2012 - 2017), (excluding annual military expenditure). Priorities include procurement of 4 Squadrons of 4.5 Generation Aircraft, Helicopters, UAVs and Radar for the Air Force; Four Submarines, 6 Frigates, 4 Corvettes, 15 Large Patrol Craft, 2 Oil Tanker and 5 Helicopters for the Navy; Armored vehicles, Artilary and Tanks for the Army in the First Phase (2021).

Concept
Forces Goal 2030 is the first planned attempt that has been undertaken to modernize Bangladesh Armed Forces. This extensive plan has been made to cope with the necessity of age. Modernization of armed forces was always neglected in Bangladesh and no extensive measures were taken previously. As per this goal, Armed forces of Bangladesh will be a smart, well-trained, well equipped force. The goal emphasizes on adding quality equipment and increase the mobility of the forces. If the goal is implemented completely, Bangladesh Armed Forces will be a formidable force in the region.

Army
As per the plan, Bangladesh Army will be divided into two separate commands: eastern command and western command. The number of division will be increased from seven to ten. Already, two new divisions have been formed, 17th infantry division at Sylhet and 10th infantry division at Ramu in Cox’s Bazar. Required supporting units are also added there. The process is going on to form another division in Barisal. Many new cantonments are being established and being established.

According to plan, steps have been taken to increase the mobility of the force. Many new APC, IFV etc. are being procured. APCs like BTR-80, Otokar Cobra, BOV M11, Lazar BVT etc. and BTR-82A IFV are in the procurement list. Army is also considering self-propelled mortar for mechanized infantry.

Steps have been taken to increase the firepower of artillery units. Self-propelled artillery system like Nora B-52 K2 is procured. More Self-propelled systems are being considered like Chinese SH-2 122mm system. WS-22 Guided Multiple Rocket Launcher System is procured. More such systems like WS-32, WS-33 etc. will come soon. WS-43 Loitering Attack Munitions will also be added.

Bangladesh army has procured 44 MTB-2000 tanks. But, army is not satisfied with its performance. So they are considering other tanks. Soon a large number of new tanks will be ordered. Meanwhile, Type-59 tanks are being upgraded to Type-59BD standard. To modernize the signal corps of Bangladesh army, new radio equipment and other devices has been procured. SLC-2 Weapon locating Radar has been added.

An independent air defence brigade has been formed at Dhaka Cantonment. LY-60D surface to air missile is being procured to enhance air defence role of army.

For anti-tank role, Metis-M and Kornet E missile systems and PF-98 rocket system have been procured.

One of the major development of Bangladesh Army is starting of its Future soldier system. Bangladesh army has started equipping all of its soldiers with ultra-modern equipment like Night Vision Goggles (NVG), Ballistic helmet, protective eye gear, bulletproof jacket, hand to hand communicator, palmtop GPS device and modern homemade BD-08 MK2 assault rifle with ACOG sight. One of the important features of Forces Goal-2030 is developing indigenous defence industry. Currently, BOF is making BD-08 and BD-08MK2 assault rifle and LMG. The factory has the capability of producing annual 14000 rifles with 600000 grenades and 400000 cartridges. Bangladesh is also producing artillery shells domestically. Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) is assembling utility trucks for army called ‘’Arunima Baliyan’’. BMTF is going to start assembling WS-22 rocket launcher system soon.

Army
Acquired under Forces Goal 2030 Program:


 * 44 MTB-2000 Main battle tank from China for $162 million
 * 18 Nora B-52 K2 self-propelled guns (more on order)
 * 8 WS-22 MRLS
 * 150 BTR-80 Armoured personnel carrier with 140 APC, 5 ARV and 5 APC ambulance version.
 * Otokar Cobra APC
 * 128 BTR 82A IFV (on order)
 * Lazar BVT MRAP (on order)
 * BOV M11 Light Armoured Vehicle(LAV).
 * Metis-M Anti tank missile
 * Kornet E Anti tank missile (on order)
 * PF-98 Anti Tank Rocket
 * SLC-2 weapon locating radar
 * 2 Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin for Army aviation.

Program Under Development:


 * Upgradation of Type 59 tanks
 * Establishing BTR-80 overhauling plant.
 * Assembling WS-22 MRLS at Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF)
 * Making and developing BD-08 Automatic Assault Rifle and LMG at Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF)
 * Making ammunition for all weapons of Bangladesh Army and artillery shells and grenades at BOF.
 * Making Mortars at BOF.
 * Future Soldier system development.

Navy
Acquired under Forces Goal 2030 Program:


 * Two Type 035G Submarines for $203.3 million from China
 * Two Type 053H2 frigate from China
 * Two Hamilton class cutters transferred from United States under Excess Defense Articles.
 * Two Type 056 corvettes from China
 * Two Durjoy-class LPC built at China.
 * Two Durjoy-class LPC indigenously built at Khulna Shipyard (construction going on).
 * Five Padma-class Patrol Vessel indigenously built at Khulna Shipyard
 * Two Khan Jahan Ali Class oil tankers indigenously built at Ananda Shipyard
 * Two Dornier 228 NG for Bangladesh Naval Aviation
 * Two AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters.
 * Three Harbin Z-9C helicopters (on order)

 Ships Under Development:


 * plans to buy Guided Missile Frigates from South Korea/China for US$520 million has been submitted by Bangladesh Navy
 * plans to buy/make oceanographic survey ship.
 * Plans to buy/buy unidentified numbers of salvage ship.
 * Five estimated Minesweepers will be developed/made.
 * Durjoy-class LPC:

Khulna Shipyard and Bangladesh Navy is carrying out a program to build six Durjoy Class Large Patrol Craft for the Bangladesh Navy by 2019, with two units already in service.


 * Padma-class Patrol Vessel: Biggest fleet development program in the Bangladesh Navy, with a total of 27 ships planned, 5 already in service and 5 more to enter service by 2019.

 Program Under Development:


 * Type 056 corvette development program:

Two Type 056 stealth corvettes have been made inside China and two more Type 056 corvette will be made inside government owned Khulna Shipyard


 * Two submarines kilo class/Type 039 submarine from Russia/China will be bought after 2018-2020.

Air Force
Acquired under Forces Goal 2030 Program:


 * 16 Chengdu J-7 fighter aircraft were purchased from China as a stop-gap till the proposed 4.5 generation fighter procurement matures.
 * 9 K-8 basic trainer aircraft purchased from China.
 * 16 Yakovlev Yak-130 lead-in fighter trainer purchased from Russia for under $800 million defense deal.
 * 3 Let L-410 Turbolet aircraft purchased from Czech Republic which will be used as transport trainer.
 * 2 AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters for search and rescue (SAR) duties.
 * 5 Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters ordered from Russia.
 * FM 90 short range SAM system has been acquired in 2011 from China.
 * Gamma-DE and Kasta 2E air defence radar (on order)

Aircraft under development:


 * Four Lockheed C-130 Hercules are currently in the process of being procured from the US Air Force, along with 20 Rolls-Royce T56 engines, training and other equipment and services associated with the upgrade.
 * LY 80E medium range SAM from china/ medium range KM-SAM from South Korea.
 * Bangladesh Air Force is trying to order maximum 4 squadron of 4th and 4++ generation fighter aircraft by 2021.

Program Under Development:
 * Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre (BAC) is going to start the manufacturing of a Primary Trainer Aircraft by 2021.
 * Overhauling plant for F-7 aircraft with Chinese assistance.
 * Establishing overhauling plant for different variants of Mi-17 helicopters with Russian assistance.
 * BAC is working on building indigenous UAV's

Defense Deals

 * In January 2013, Ministry of Defense signed a $1.5 billion defense deal with Russia; The Largest in History of Bangladesh. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russia President Vladimir Putin was present at the occasion.
 * In 2013, United States gifted Bangladesh Two Hamilton Class Cutter; USCGC Jarvis and USCGC Rush
 * In 2013, Bangladesh successfully sealed a deal with Belarus which includes helping to develop Bangladesh defence industries and taking joint projects.
 * In 2014, Bangladesh Navy signed a $203 million deal with China.

Blue Economy
Since a huge part of Bangladesh's natural resources lies in the it's water, Bangladesh Government have come up with a term Blue Economy. Bangladesh's maritime boundary includes 118,000 sq km of water, almost the size of the mainland Bangladesh. Blue Economy played a big part behind implementing Forces Goal 2030. According to Ministry of Defense, Modernization of Bangladesh Armed Force, the country will be able to protect it's resources from neighboring countries such as India and Myanmar. According to experts, about 100 TCF natural gas and vast amount of natural resources could be extracted from Bangladesh's Maritime Boundary.

Bangladesh Air Force's 4.5th Generation Aircraft
In Defense IQ 2011 International Fighter Aircraft Conference in London, BAF Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Shah Mohammad Rahman unveiled a long term procurement plan for Bangladesh Air Force to establish it's dominance in Asia. The plan includes procurement of 5th generation aircraft. In January 2015, Bangladesh Air Force placed order for 16 Yak-130, 9 Hongdu JL-8 to prepare pilots for 5th Generation Aircraft.

In 2015, Bangladesh Air Force officially marked the beginning of it's much ambitious modernization program by placing order for 24 Sukhoi Su-30MKK, expected to enter service by 2016. BAF has also placed order for 8 Mig-29CMT from Russia under $800 million defense deal. As per sources, Ministry of Defense is currently working on procuring F-16, Saab JAS-39 Gripen, Mil Mi-171, Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and CJ-7. 4 Squadron of 5th Generation aircraft is expected to enter service by 2020. BAF extended it's fighter procurement plan in 2015 which includes purchase of KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, Hongdu L-15, F-16 Fighting Falcon. According to Officials, BAF is aiming for total ten squadrons, which includes six air defense, one maritime strike, and three multi-role squadrons.

Probable Procurement
Aircraft being considered for procurement are listed below.

Bangladesh Navy's Massive Modernization Drive
In 2010, Bangladesh Navy unveiled it's largest Modernization program in history. According to Naval Chief, the Modernization program will transform Navy into the most powerful in the South Asian Region. The Multi-billion dollar modernization plan includes induction of 4 submarine, 5 frigate, 2 corvette, 11 Stealth ship and 18 more ships by 2019. Bangladesh Navy's capability will be increased by 50,000 tonnes. Apart from almost doubling it's fleet size, Bangladesh Navy is also spending billions in procuring Helicopters and Aircraft for it's Naval Air Arm. As of 2015, Two Ming-class submarine are expected to enter service by the end of the year and negotiation is underway for two more Kilo-class submarine.

BN Modernization Phases
This chart shows Bangladesh Navy's probable fleet size by year. Bangladesh Coast Guard Procurement Not Included.