The Bangladesh Army is moving toward major reforms in its defense policy and military strategy. Although it has long relied on India and Russia for training, this dependence is now being reduced. From now on, army officers will be sent abroad for training on a case-by-case basis, depending on the situation and operational requirements.
Army sources said that during a recently held two-day conference at the Multipurpose Complex of Dhaka Cantonment, Army Headquarters and formation commanders held policy-level discussions on these issues. Some of the decisions taken at the conference have already been sent to the Ministry of Defence and the office of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus for final approval.
At the same time, proposals have been made to enhance the Army’s offensive and special operations capabilities by forming one full-fledged Para Commando Brigade and two additional Para Commando units. According to the plan, these units will not be temporary but will be established under permanent organizational structures.
Until now, many Bangladeshi army officers were routinely sent for training to military academies in India and Russia. Under the new policy, each training program will be evaluated individually, taking into account bilateral relations, strategic importance, and economic considerations.
The conference also discussed expanding training programs in countries such as Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. Military analysts believe this reflects a clear indication of a strategic rebalancing by the Bangladesh Army.
The proposal to form new Special Forces units was first raised at the planning stage in October 2025 and was forwarded to the Armed Forces Division the following month. The conference also held policy discussions on determining the Army’s future manpower structure and converting some temporary units into permanent ones.
Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman and senior officials from Army Headquarters were present at the conference. Formation commanders presented ongoing activities and future plans within their respective areas of responsibility. Following the conference, the Army Chief will visit the 66th Infantry Division in Rangpur today (27 January), accompanied by several senior army officers.
Through these strategic reforms and the formation of new units, the Bangladesh Army aims to strengthen its military capability, self-reliance, and range of international training options.
