【Military Second Layer】Author: Feng Yu

According to a report by Asia Defense and Security on July 5, in recent years, the military cooperation between Bangladesh and Turkey has become increasingly close, becoming one of the most closely watched emerging military partnerships in South Asia.

Since the Bangladesh Army signed an agreement to purchase the TRG-300 Kaplan multi-barrel rocket launcher system developed by Turkey in 2019, the cooperation between the two countries has no longer been limited to traditional arms transactions, but has gradually shifted towards tactical system integration, joint training, and the establishment of drone combat systems.

Especially under the "2030 Strong Army Goal" initiative, Bangladesh views Turkey as the most cost-effective and sincere partner for technology transfer in arms cooperation. The rocket and drone strike system jointly developed by the two countries can be described as a mini kill chain.

Currently, the Bangladesh Army has deployed 18 sets of TRG-300 rocket systems, and since 2023, it has started to introduce 12 TB2 high-altitude long-endurance drones, forming an efficient link between aerial reconnaissance and ground strikes, which has laid a certain technical foundation for its independent deterrence capability in South Asia.

(TRG-300)

In fact, although Bangladesh's current military strength cannot be compared with that of India and Pakistan, it has shown a trend of structural breakthrough in recent years.

Previously, the Bangladeshi army relied on quantity, with heavy infantry and mountain troops as the main body, but with the implementation of the "2030 Strong Army Goal," its strategic focus is shifting from manpower-intensive to precise strikes.

However, in terms of the air force, Bangladesh still mainly relies on outdated platforms such as the F-7 and MiG-29, but has begun to layout a new generation of multi-role fighter procurement projects.

The army has significantly improved its information warfare level by introducing the Chinese VT-5 light tank, the Serbian B52 self-propelled howitzer, and the domestic C4ISR system.

In terms of the navy, it already has two China-exported Ming-class conventional submarines and is gradually building a small modernized fleet with coastal defense capabilities.

In short, Bangladesh is evolving from a defensive military force to a force capable of both defense and offense, and its national defense investment focus is shifting from maintaining personnel to precision strikes, long-range communication, and battlefield coordination.

(Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani flags)

In terms of foreign strategic relations, Bangladesh has long followed a multi-party balancing strategy. On the surface, it maintains neutrality between India and Pakistan, without over-leaning towards either side.

But in practice, although the relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan has been shadowed by historical issues from 1971, it has become more calm and normalized in recent years.

By comparison, the relationship with India is more strategically tense.

There has been long-term friction between India and Bangladesh in border areas, becoming a hotspot for drone and radar confrontation between the two sides.

As Bangladesh continues to introduce Turkish rockets and drones, India's sensitivity to its border airspace has significantly increased, even publicly warning in late 2024 that it would shoot down the Bangladeshi military's TB2 drones near the border.

The current situation indicates that although Bangladesh's military structure and arms procurement are officially positioned as defensive, its actual target has already pointed at India, especially in terms of aerial reconnaissance and long-range strike capabilities, it is conducting high-precision deterrence practical deployment, which belongs to a strategic shift.

(Pakistani fighter jets)

This year, the India-Pakistan air battle that broke out in May provided Bangladesh with a close-up opportunity to observe modern air combat strategies.

In this conflict, Pakistan made large-scale use of the Chinese-provided J-10C fighter aircraft and PL-15E long-range air-to-air missile system for the first time, shooting down multiple Indian aircraft, which shocked the world.

Bangladesh obviously gained some inspiration from this.

One was the combination of air superiority platforms and radar strike chains, which has proven effective in changing the situation.

The second was that the kill chain concept combining drones and precise firepower is no longer exclusive to major powers, but can also be used by medium-sized countries as a tactical combination.

In fact, Bangladesh is currently simulating Pakistan's kill chain: using TB2 drones for high-altitude reconnaissance, TRG-300 for fire coverage, and later introducing short-range ballistic missiles or long-range glide munitions for point strikes.

This data link-guided system is replacing Bangladesh's previous observer plus artillery old methods, and can significantly enhance its proactive striking capability in border local conflicts.

(Bangladesh's F7 fighter aircraft)

So how can Bangladesh go further? The answer is simple: follow the path taken by Pakistan.

Especially in air force construction, China is the only strategic supplier for Bangladesh.

Currently, Bangladesh has completed the preliminary evaluation and combat simulation of the J-10C, and is expected to complete the procurement negotiations before the mid-term node of the "2030 Strong Army Goal."

According to media reports, Bangladesh plans to purchase the first batch of 16 J-10C fighters to replace the F-7 and MiG-29, and as the backbone of a mixed fleet of high and low-level aircraft.

It should be noted that Bangladesh had already started promoting the procurement of the J-10 before the recent India-Pakistan air battle, indicating that it is not a sudden decision, but rather a move based on long-term planning.

Once the deal is finalized, Bangladesh will become the second South Asian country, after Pakistan, to be equipped with the J-10C.

At that time, Bangladesh and Pakistan will deeply integrate in terms of technology, tactics, and operational concepts, forming a "print alliance" in South Asia. Combined with China, the provider of the combat platform, it's a perfect "3D printing".

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7524155011450847779/

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