Forces Goal 2030 is a military modernization program in Bangladesh that commenced in 2009 and was updated in 2017, and later updated after July Uprising. It is designed to enhance the capabilities of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, including the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, as well as the Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh under a separate program. The program focuses on restructuring military organizations, expanding the forces, transforming the indigenous defense sector to support research and manufacturing, and acquiring advanced military equipment.
The requirement for modernisation was realised in the aftermath of the 2008 Bangladesh–Myanmar naval standoff later resulting in Bangladesh's favour. The program was revised in 2017, following the Rohingya refugee crisis, which facilitated a larger monetary allocation towards the modernisation program.
One of the primary objectives of the modernisation program is to develop a three-dimensional force (land, air and sea) capable of conducting multi-platform warfare.
After the 2024 Non-Cooperation Movement, which resulted in the fall of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League regime, the modernization program was revised and expedited. This revision could affect the program's objectives, implementation timeline, and overall scope.
Bangladesh Army
Organizational restructuring The modernization program seeks to transform the Bangladesh Army into a technologically advanced, multi-domain force by 2030, capable of conducting both defensive and offensive operations. As part of this effort, the Army plans to reorganize its structure by establishing three independent corps—Central, Eastern, and Western. To support the creation of these corps, measures have been implemented to increase the overall size of the force.
The 17th Infantry Division was raised at Sylhet in 2013, the 10th Infantry Division was raised at newly established Ramu Cantonment at Cox's Bazar in 2015, and the 7th Infantry Division was raised at established Barishal Cantonment in Barishal-Patuakhali in 2018. The establishment of three infantry divisions has raised the total number of the Army's infantry divisions to ten. In 2017, the Army began the establishment of a Riverine Engineer Battalion, which will be stationed at the newly constructed Mithamain Cantonment at Kishorganj. Another full-fledged cantonment is being established at Ruma in Bandarban District.
By 2021, the army has raised 97 new units. Of these, 19 units were formed for the Jalalabad Cantonment in Sylhet, 22 units for Ramu Cantonment in Cox's Bazar, and 56 units for the Lebukhali Cantonment in Barisal. A number of existing infantry battalions are being converted into para infantry battalions and mechanized infantry battalions for newly established and proposed cantonments. To increase special operation capabilities, the 2nd Para Commando Battalion has been raised, headquartered in Maulavibazar. The Army Aviation Group has set up an airbase at Lalmonirhat Airport and built a forward airbase in Chittagong.
Weapons procurement Under the modernization goal, several programs have been implemented to enhance the readiness of the force. Under such programs, approaches have been taken to modernize the regular infantry outfits. The new infantry outfits are equipped with night vision goggles (NVG), ballistic helmets, eye protective gear, bulletproof vests, person to person communicators, palmtop GPS device and BD-08 assault rifles with Collimator sight.
With respect to anti-tank capabilities, Metis-M-1 anti-tank guided missile systems and PF-98 rocket systems have been procured since 2012.
In 2022, the Bangladesh Army procured an undisclosed number of ALCOTAN-AT (M2) and ALCOTAN-BIV (M2) anti-tank guided missiles along with portable VOSEL (M2) firing control units from Spain. The procurement of AK15 assault rifles and submachine guns has also been implemented.
Sixty-six Nora B-52 K2 self-propelled artillery systems were procured. A total of 36 units of WS-22 Guided Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems have been added to the Bangladesh Army inventory since 2014.
The Bangladesh Army received TRG-300 Tiger MBRL System and TRG-230 MRLS from Turkey. In June 2021, the Army took delivery of 20 units of the TRG-300 Tiger MBRL system from Turkey. In June 2022, Turkey delivered 1 regiment of TRG-230 with armaments. The entire order of the TRG System and armaments were completed by 2022. In 2022, Turkey delivered a TEBER Guidance Kit that converts general-purpose bombs to guided smart bombs.
SLC-2 weapon-locating radars were added to help the artillery firing. The procurement process of 155mm towed howitzers, 122 mm field artillery howitzers and 105mm towed field artillery systems is ongoing. The procurement of long-range (120 to 280 km) multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) is also in process. To support accurate artillery firing, the Bangladesh Army has procured 36 Bramor C4EYE battlefield reconnaissance UAVs from Slovenia in 2017. These UAVs have a maximum range of 40 kilometers and endurance of 3 hours. In October 2020, the Army published an evaluation notice for a medium-range UAV.
The Bangladesh Army procured 44 MBT-2000 tanks from China in 2011. Army engineers have completed the upgrade process of Type 69 tanks to Type 69IIG standard. Upgrading of 174 Type 59 tanks to Type 59G Durjoy standard is ongoing. The Bangladesh Army signed a contract with China for 44 VT-5 light tanks in 2019. The delivery was completed by 2021. The Army also started a light amphibious tank procurement process in 2019.
Two regiments of FM 90C short-range surface to air missiles were added in 2016 to enhance air defence capabilities. Since 2019, 4 of 8 Oerlikon Skyguard – 3 firing control radar systems with Oerlikon GDF 009 anti aircraft gun have been procured, and the process to procure a regiment. At the end of 2022, Thales delivered two units of Ground Master 400 long-range portable air defence radar systems to the Bangladesh Army. In the same month, another tender was issued for procuring 181 man-portable air-defense systems. Here, Chinese FN-16, Russian Igla-S and Swedish RBS 70 systems have been shortlisted. The Army reportedly procured the Swedish RBS 70 NG in 2020. In August 2020, the army floated a tender for the procurement of medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM).
Modernization of the Army Aviation Group is in progress. Two Eurocopter AS365 Dauphins were put into service in 2012. 12 Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters were procured since 2016. Two C-295 transport aircraft have been bought from Spain so far. The Army took delivery of six Diamond DA40 trainer aircraft from Austria in 2020. The first 2 Bell 407 GXI helicopters were supplied by 2022. In September 2021, the Army issued a tender notice to procure 8 heavy attack helicopters. The Army was interested in purchasing the Boeing AH-64 Apache, Eurocopter Tiger or Leonardo's AW249.
The Army issued a tender notice to procure fixed-wing aircraft in the financial year 2020–2021.
The number of BTR-80 APCs in the Bangladesh Army's inventory has not been clarified, possibly 330 to 645. Up to 2024, the army had received 188 units of the Otokar Cobra 1/2, at least 8 BOV M11 armored reconnaissance vehicles from Serbia, and 81 units of the Maxxpro MRAP. The Bangladesh Army has deployed a large number of APCs on its UN peacekeeping missions.
Iveco delivered 200+ Trakker in 2021. Since 2017, Iveco delivered Trakker 380 prime movers, Iveco Trakker 420 gun tractors, and Trakker 310 jet fuel browsers. The first Bach Volvo FMX and Astra military trucks were delivered in 2023. Also, Renault VAB, Mercedes-Benz, and other Japanese, Turkish, and British military vehicles have been used.
A tender was floated for procurement of a command ship in 2017. The vessel will be used as a floating command centre for different waterborne operations. Several tenders were floated to procure a total of six landing craft tank vessels for the army between 2017 and 2018. The Bangladesh army issued a tender for procuring two Troops Carrier Vessel (TCV) in January 2018. The vessels will be able to carry 200 personnel. The shipbuilding contract was awarded to Khulna Shipyard Limited. In October 2022, Vard Maritime Inc., a group of Fincantieri and KSL signed a contract to jointly build landing craft, a long-term multi-stage program. The landing craft will be built according to a design based on the famous Vard 7 507 Landing Craft Series.
In a ceremony on 27 October 2021, the Prime Minister discussed the ongoing modernization plan of the Bangladesh Army and its upcoming equipment. She stated that one regiment each of 105 mm and 155 mm artillery guns have been procured to increase artillery power. She added that the process of procuring one battery of Oerlikon GDF-009 was ongoing. The government had signed a contract to procure a Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) system and two batteries of radar-controlled air defence guns. The government also procured six MALE UAV and a tactical missile system for the Bangladesh Army.
In January 2024, the Army issued a tender notice to procure DJI Mavic 3T drones.
On November 25, 2025, the DGDP officially issued an RFI to evaluate the FGM-148 Javelin system for the Bangladesh Army's special combat units, including Special Forces and airborne elements.
Bangladesh Navy Due to the importance of Bangladesh's vast maritime area of 118,813 square kilometers, high dependence of the country's economy on maritime resources, and the geopolitical importance of the Indian Ocean, the Bangladesh Navy was given significant priority in the modernization program. The program aims to transform the Bangladesh Navy into a modern, well-equipped, three-dimensional force capable of conducting multi-domain operations. Under the program, the Navy has witnessed significant growth in firepower and weapon manufacturing capabilities. The expansion of the Navy's surface fleet and force size is simultaneously ongoing. As of 2020, the navy acquired two submarines, eight frigates, six corvettes, and eleven patrol vessels.
Under the modernization, indigenous shipyards have made significant strides in enhancing naval shipbuilding capabilities. There are three indigenous shipyards capable of developing large surface combatants for the navy: Khulna Shipyard Limited, Dockyard and Engineering Works Limited, and Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, all fully owned by the Bangladesh Navy. Khulna Shipyard has successfully launched the program of building eight Durjoy-class and 23 Padma-class patrol craft. Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, ownership of which was transferred to the Navy in 2015, has been tasked with constructing six 2,000-tonne offshore patrol vessels and six multirole guided missile frigates.
Alongside the development of the Navy's water capabilities, Bangladesh Naval Aviation, the aviation wing of the Navy, was established in 2011. Naval Aviation added 4 Dornier 228 NG aircraft from Germany and two AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters from Italy.
The Navy attained three-dimensional capabilities with the establishment of a submarine fleet, with two Ming-class submarines acquired from the People's Republic of China.
The Bangladesh Navy has operated a submarine base, named BNS Pekua, at Pekua in Cox's Bazar. Commissioned in 2023, the submarine base has been one of the Bangladesh Navy's largest projects. The largest naval base in the country was constructed at Rabanabad in Patuakhali, named BNS Sher-e-Bangla. The base has submarine berthing and aviation facilities. Another operational base, named BNS Sheikh Mujib, has been constructed in Khilkhet in Dhaka. The construction works of a fleet headquarters at the Sandwip channel of Chattogram, with ship berthing facilities, is also ongoing. The Navy has taken initiative to produce missiles and IFF systems in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Air Force