Bangladesh Artillery Modernisation
Article by Debalina Ghoshal
Amid the efforts of India’s Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, for robust border management on the eastern side, there is a daunting challenge that surrounds India’s security environment. Bangladesh’s artillery modernisation program, a key development under its ten-year defence modernisation plan, cannot be eschewed by India. This is because Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Mr Tarique Rahman aims for defence modernisation to ensure the country’s “sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.”[1] It is in this context that the article holds relevance owing to India’s own border security management with Bangladesh.
Relevance of an artillery brigade with an infantry division
An infantry division comprises infantry brigades, an artillery brigade with units, and many more like signals and engineers. In many cases, there could be armoured and mechanised infantry also in the division. Batteries of artillery units support infantry units of infantry brigades. This means that one artillery unit is devoted to an infantry brigade to support each of the units in the brigade. This support provides infantry units with credible and lethal firepower support at long ranges in times of crisis. The Bangladesh Army aims to transform its infantry into a highly mobile, precise and digitised force.[2] Turkey and China have become key players in Bangladesh’s artillery modernisation program. [3] Bangladesh’s General Officer Commanding (GOC) of infantry divisions travel to countries to evaluate artillery systems and their relevance in Bangladesh’s defence needs. [4]
The Programme Analysis
The program, according to the country, is comprehensive and lays stress on “firepower integrity, digital modernisation, precision strike capability, and domestic sustainability.”[5] Bangladesh believes that an infantry division equipped with a robust artillery brigade would provide greater combat strength with the amalgamation of credible artillery weapons supported by intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) support. Forces Goal 2030 will focus on modern state-of-the-art technology-driven force modernisation and precision strike artillery capabilities that could generate lethal results for longer ranges, which have become the cynosure of the modernisation program.
Bangladesh has received MKE Boran 105mm air transportable light towed howitzers from Turkey, which are designed for commando, airborne and light infantry formations. [6] These guns can ensure continuous operational capability. [7]There are plans to expand the fleet of Boran howitzers.[8] Bangladesh could also procure the Chinese SH-15 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) manufactured by NORINCO. Dhaka is also considering the prospects of the Czech Republic’s MORANA 155mm SPH. Considering that Bangladesh has expressed its interest in French defence systems including air defence capabilities, Dhaka could also acquire the battle-proven and tested CAESAR 155mm from Paris. Dhaka also has the option to acquire another battle-tested artillery system, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
The proposed[9] upgrade of existing eighteen Serbian-made NORA B-52K1 155mm self-propelled howitzers clearly indicates that not only is acquiring advanced systems a major priority for Bangladesh, but also up-gradation of existing artillery systems will also occupy central focus. This up-gradation will invest attention on improved fire control, automation, and shoot-and-scoot capabilities.
Bangladesh has also modernised its multi-launch rocket systems (MLRS) fleet by acquiring systems like TRG-230 and TRG-300 from Turkey and manufactured by the defence enterprise Roketsan. [10] TEBER Guidance Kit transforms general bombs into guided smart bombs. 122mm WS-22 MLRS from China are also added to the MLRS strength. Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) is assisting Dhaka with ammunition for its artillery pieces capable of firing at targets between 30- 35 km of range. [11]
India’s Concern
MLRSs have also been deployed near the Myanmar border against high-priority targets within range of 20- 70 km.[12] In future, Bangladesh could deploy such artillery weapons near the Indian border, even though the precise deployment could be farther away from the border. ISR capabilities that rely on drones like the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 for intelligence gathering, RQ-21 Blackjack and Bramor C4EYE further provide credibility to the deterrent value of Bangladesh’s artillery capabilities. Counter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) provides the Bangladesh Army with a credible defence by denial system.
Conclusion
Bangladesh is keen to modernise its artillery systems, and it partnering with countries like China, Pakistan and Turkey has helped the country to acquire weapon systems that could provide combat strength to the country. Nevertheless, the West could also play a crucial role to help Dhaka modernise its military forces. Its forces have received an impetus and boost with Bangladesh’s collaboration with defence enterprises of foreign countries.
[1] “Tk 860b plan drawn up on military modernisation,” The Financial Express, July 9, 2026,< Finance News: Latest Financial News, Finance News today in Bangladesh>
[2] Artillery Modernisation Report- Bangladesh Army (2025-2035), BD Military, April 4, 2025, <Artillery Modernisation Report – Bangladesh Army (2025–2035) – Bangladesh Military Forces>
[3] “Bangladesh Army Bolsters Artillery Arsenal with Turkish, and Chinese Systems,” BD Military, July 1, 2025, <Bangladesh Army Bolsters Artillery Arsenal with Turkish, and Chinese Systems – Bangladesh Military Forces>
[4] “Bangladesh Army Inducting SH-15 Self Propelled Howitzers,” BD Military, May 24, 2025,< Bangladesh Army Inducting SH-15 Self-Propelled Howitzers – Bangladesh Military Forces>
[5] Artillery Modernisation Report- Bangladesh Army (2025-2035), BD Military, April 4, 2025, <Artillery Modernisation Report – Bangladesh Army (2025–2035) – Bangladesh Military Forces>
[6] “Boran 105 mm air transportable light towed howitzer,” BD Military, October 4, 2025, <Boran 105 mm Air-Transportable Light Towed Howitzer – Bangladesh Military Forces>
[7] “Bangladesh Army Acquires Turkish MKE Boran 105mm Howitzers,” Tender News, February 27, 2025, <Bangladesh Army Acquires Turkish MKE Boran 105mm Howitzers news>
[8] “Bangladesh Army Acquires Turkish MKE Boran 105mm Howitzers,” Tender News, February 27, 2025, <Bangladesh Army Acquires Turkish MKE Boran 105mm Howitzers news>
[9] Chandan Nandy, “Chinese ATV under Bangladesh Army reviews as Gen Waker-uz-Zaman checks NORINCO platform,” Northeast News, July 16, 2026,< Chinese ATV under Bangladesh Army review as Gen Waker-uz-Zaman checks NORINCO platform – Northeast News>
[10] “Bangladesh receives TRG-230, TRG-300 rocket launchers from Türkiye,” Türkiye Today, February 3, 2025, <Bangladesh receives TRG-230, TRG-300 rocket launchers from Türkiye – Türkiye Today>
[11] Ajay Banerjee, “Bangladesh seeks new supply of ammo from Pakistan,” The Tribune, August 25, 2024, <Bangladesh seeks new supply of ammo from Pakistan – The Tribune>
[12] “Bangladesh Secures Myanmar Border with Roketsan’s missiles,” Turdef, November 16, 2022, <Bangladesh Secures Myanmar Border with Roketsan’s missiles | TURDEF>
