Army Chief Calls for an Export-Oriented Defence Industry

Bangladesh is working to develop its defence industry into an export-oriented sector while meeting the country’s domestic needs, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman said on Thursday.

He made the remarks at a land agreement signing ceremony for the expansion of Bangladesh Ordnance Factories (BOF) at the former Jalil Textile Mills in Faujdarhat, Chattogram.

The 54.99 acres of land, controlled by Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation, was handed over to the army for the BOF expansion. General Waker said the location was chosen because of its proximity to Chattogram port, which would support future exports.

“We do not want to develop the defence industry only to meet our own requirements. We want to turn it into an export-oriented industry,” he said, noting that BOF-made assault rifles, ammunition and other military equipment have international demand.

The army chief stressed the need to simplify the approval process for defence exports, saying lengthy case-by-case approvals could prevent the sector from becoming competitive.

He also said Bangladesh needed to build its own capacity to manufacture military equipment rather than relying on imports, particularly during wartime.

The expanded BOF is expected to produce ammunition and equipment for the army, navy, air force, police, Ansar-VDP and other paramilitary forces.

The land agreement was signed between the Bangladesh Army and BTMC in the presence of senior government, military and civilian officials.