Between December 2025 and April 2026, Bangladesh’s armed forces launched a flurry of procurement initiatives in favor of their long-term Forces Goal 2030 modernization plan. In this period alone, new tenders and agreements ranged from armored vehicles and helicopters to drones and naval vessels. Many procurements were announced or finalized, reflecting a steady increase in acquisition activity. These decisions illustrate the broad sweep of recent deals, ranging from small-scale tech transfers to big-ticket contracts.
New contracts were struck with multiple foreign partners such as China, the USA, Italy, Serbia, Turkey, the UK, and Japan, underscoring a multi-source procurement strategy. Technology‐transfer deals gained prominence, notably a Chinese UAV production plant for the BAF. The DGDP’s role is visibly rising: many deals emerged via open tenders or official releases. There is a surge in announced deals in the Dec–Feb timeframe, though confirmation varies.
- Bangladesh Army:
Bangladesh Army modernization continued apace. In early 2026 the Army expanded and upgraded its armor and firepower. In February 2026, the army received new VT-5 “Type 15” light tanks from China, joining 44 others delivered since 2022. These tanks bolster the army’s maneuver forces under Forces Goal 2030 by adding a more mobile MBT. The army is also upgrading its artillery: it operates 36 Serbian-made NORA B-52K1 155mm self-propelled howitzers and plans a comprehensive upgrade to the latest NORA-B52NG standard. The upgrade, by Serbia’s Yugoimport SDPR, will automate systems and improve range, significantly enhancing long-range firepower without replacing the fleet. Beyond platforms, the Army has stepped up purchases of modern munitions. In late 2024/early 2025 it ordered Turkish Roketsan TRG-230/300 guided rockets to fit on Polish RAK tubes, delivering over 18 launcher units by early 2025.
The Army has also moved to diversify its aviation assets. On 31 Dec 2025, DGDP issued tender 221.579.25 for four refurbished Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters (from the US). This marked a shift toward Western rotary-wing aircraft. Procurement of second-hand Black Hawks should enhance lift and medevac capabilities at lower cost than new-build helicopters. There are multiple sources indicating that the Army is also introducing fixed-wing support aircraft; plans are underway to acquire Beechcraft King Air 360ER twin-prop light transports. These will serve in utility and medevac roles, expanding the Army Aviation Group’s range and flexibility.
Complementing these deals, Bangladesh is exploring other army aviation options from East Asia. Reports indicate interest in South Korea’s KAI helicopters: specifically, the LAH-1 light attack and the KUH-1 Surion utility helicopters. The Bangladesh Air Force is evaluating a package of 6 LAH-1 and 6 Surion helicopters with KAI. In practice, both the Air Force and Army plan to replace aging Russian rotorcraft with these modern South Korean types. Although no contract was signed by Apr 2026, these plans signal the services’ intent to secure a Korean option alongside the American helicopters already on order.
- Bangladesh Navy:
The Bangladesh Navy also pressed forward with fleet expansion. The biggest step in this period was a new DGDP tender for four Large Patrol Crafts (LPC), issued on 29 December 2025. These patrol ships will strengthen the surface fleet for EEZ and coastal patrol duties. Specific design and armament details have not been publicly released yet. The awarding of this tender – with bids invited through standard competitive procedure – highlights the Navy’s plan to build four new hulls, likely from a combination of local shipyards and foreign technical input. It is a significant step: Bangladesh’s current navy has only about a dozen major surface combatants.
In parallel, Bangladesh acquired a major survey vessel. In February 2026 the UK formally transferred the decommissioned HMS Enterprise, an Echo-class hydrographic survey ship, to the Bangladesh Navy. Under the G2G transfer, Enterprise, commissioned in 2002 and decommissioned in 2023, was sold and will be rechristened in Bangladeshi service. This instrument will greatly boost hydrographic and oceanographic capability for Bangladesh, a country with a vast exclusive economic zone. BIMRAD’s Maritime Bulletin notes that Enterprise will enhance Bangladesh’s maritime domain awareness and support research and search-and-rescue in the Bay of Bengal. The deal was overseen by both governments in early Feb. 2026 and follows a background of close UK–Bangladesh cooperation on naval matters.
These naval procurements serve different purposes: the LPCs (four major hulls) emphasize patrol and surface combat presence; the acquisition of Enterprise emphasizes scientific and domain-awareness roles. Together they reflect the navy’s multi-source approach and the strategic aim to cover both traditional security and “blue economy” needs.
- Bangladesh Air Force:
In early December 2025 the BAF took a landmark step by signing a Letter of Intent with Italy’s Leonardo S.p.A. to acquire Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat aircraft. The December 9, 2025, LOI, attested by the Air Chief Marshal of Bangladesh and the Italian ambassador, commits both sides to negotiating a deal, likely for a fleet of Typhoons. Local press reported that Leonardo will supply Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft to the Bangladesh Air Force as a first step in modernizing the fighter fleet. That LOI follows years of earlier discussions and signals a deepening defense link with the Eurofighter consortium. Exact numbers, configurations, and delivery schedules are yet to be finalized, as the LOI is non-binding. But it is a bold move to acquire ~10 advanced 4.5-gen fighters; it would be one of Bangladesh’s largest-ever defense contracts.
While the Eurofighter LOI grabbed headlines, Bangladesh also pursued major deals with Asian partners. In October 2025 an interim government official confirmed plans to buy 20 Chinese J-10CE fighters for about $2.2 billion. The state-owned Anadolu Agency reports that the deal, likely a G2G arrangement with China, was being structured to spread payments over ten years. The J-10CE is a Chinese multirole jet whose recent combat use has increased interest. This proposed purchase would modernize the BAF’s fleet of 44 fighters, currently mostly Chengdu F-7s, and is driven partly by regional tensions. The transaction was not final; reports say negotiations are ongoing, but by April 2026 it was widely reported as imminent.
Meanwhile, relations with Pakistan yielded new Air Force hardware. Following a January 2026 meeting of air force chiefs in Islamabad, Pakistan’s military publicly mentioned Bangladesh’s interest in Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter. An Al Jazeera report (Jan 9, 2026) notes that during talks, detailed discussions were also held on potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft. Pakistan also agreed to expedite the delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft to Bangladesh as part of the same exchanges. No contract has been signed, but Bangladesh’s expressions of interest in the JF-17 reflect the same trend: using multiple suppliers to grow its fighter inventory and to replace aging jets.
In addition to combat jets, the BAF and army are obtaining new helicopters and drones. For attack helicopters, Bangladesh confirmed in January 2026 that six Turkish TAI T-129 ATAK gunships have been ordered and will be delivered by 2027. Turkiye Today reports that this procurement of about €600 million total, including other kit, follows failed earlier attempts to buy Western Apaches or Russian Mi-28s and represents the third try. The T-129s will fill a close air support role and complement the Army’s ground forces.
Moreover, the same Turkish defense package includes Hisar-O, a medium-range air defense missile system, by Roketsan/Aselsan. This SAM acquisition, likely including ground radars, will strengthen Bangladesh’s ability to protect its airspace against aircraft and drones. Thus, the Air Force purchases intertwine with ground-based air defense. The Hisar-O and ATAK purchases are a clear sign of growing Bangladesh-Turkey defense cooperation and a strategic pivot to Turkish technology, balancing the earlier Chinese and European choices.
Finally, Bangladesh is investing in UAVs. In January 2026, the Air Force signed a G2G agreement with China’s CETC International to establish a domestic drone production and assembly plant. Under that deal, CETC will transfer technology for the CETC XY-I surveillance UAV, enabling Bangladesh to build drones locally. This is one of the first major tech-transfer agreements, aimed at achieving long-term self-reliance in unmanned systems. It complements other drone acquisitions: for example, in February 2026 the Bangladesh Coast Guard inducted 12 surveillance drones donated by the Australian Border Force.
- Border Guard Bangladesh:
The government formally approved procurement of motorcycles for BGB as part of a broader internal security initiative. In March 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that steps had been taken to purchase motorcycles for BGB, alongside police, Ansar, and the Coast Guard, to enable rapid patrol in alleys, urban areas, and crime-prone zones, particularly in support of joint-force operations targeting criminals, smugglers, and militants. Despite this approval, no publicly available sources confirm delivery, quantities, or specific models as of April 2026, indicating that the program remains at the procurement or early implementation stage rather than a completed acquisition.
- Bangladesh Coast Guard:
The Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) is also expanding its capabilities. In February 2026 the government awarded a contract for two high-speed patrol boats (large) to Khulna Shipyard, the Navy-owned yard. These bulletproof, fast interceptor boats will augment the Coast Guard’s fleet of 20+ craft, boosting their ability to pursue smugglers and conduct search and rescue. The BPPA procurement notice specifies two High-Speed Boats (Large) for the Bangladesh Coast Guard.
In addition, Bangladesh has upgraded its reconnaissance capability with drones. Australia has already provided surveillance UAVs and their control stations to the Coast Guard. These unmanned systems, transferred from the Australian Border Force, are now deployed on coastal patrol duties, improving real-time maritime surveillance. These moves indicate that the Coast Guard is focusing on force multipliers (fast craft + drones) to police the coastline and rivers.
Verification Note: The information in this report has been compiled from multiple credible sources and cross-checked for consistency. Data and reports have been used to corroborate events where possible. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, access limitations may prevent independent verification of all details.
Ahsan Tajwar is a Security and Strategic Reporting Fellow at the Bangladesh Defence Journal. His work focuses on law enforcement, terrorism, transnational crime, organized trafficking networks, and cross-border security dynamics. He is currently pursuing a B.S.S. in Criminology. His analysis relies heavily on an academic approach, with particular emphasis on their socio-cultural dimensions.