Bangladesh Military - 2021

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Military and security forces

Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force; Ministry of Home Affairs: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansars, Village Defense Party (VDP) (2021)

note: the Rapid Action Battalion, Ansars, and VDP are paramilitary organizations for internal security

Military expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2019)

1.3% of GDP (2018)

1.2% of GDP (2017)

1.4% of GDP (2016)

1.4% of GDP (2015)

Military and security service personnel strengths

information varies; approximately 165,000 total active personnel (135,000 Army; 15,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force) (2021)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Bangladesh Defense Force inventory is comprised of mostly Chinese and Russian equipment; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to Bangladesh; Bangladesh is currently undertaking a significant defense modernization program, with a focus on naval acquisitions (2020)

Military deployments

1,300 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,675 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 115 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 1,350 Mali (MINUSMA); 1,550 South Sudan (UNMISS) (Jan 2021)

Military service age and obligation

16-21 years of age for voluntary military service; Bangladeshi nationality and 10th grade education required; officers: 17-21 years of age, Bangladeshi nationality, and 12th grade education required (2018)

Maritime threats

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Bangladesh remain a risk for armed robbery against ships; attacks increased in 2020 when four ships were boarded as opposed to no attacks in 2019

NOTE: The information regarding Bangladesh on this page is re-published from the 2021 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Bangladesh 2021 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Bangladesh 2021 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.