The purpose was to enhance Bangladesh’s mine-resistance capability. But the Indian TATA MRAP is not manufactured with the STANAG 4569 standard. It is, after all, substandard Indian crap.
STANAG 4569 is a NATO Standardisation Agreement that establishes the Protection Levels for the Occupants of Logistic and Light Armoured Vehicles.
The Bangladesh Army has taken delivery of 11 Indian-made Tata Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The 4×4 vehicles were delivered in July 2024. This acquisition is part of an effort to bolster the military’s capabilities and modernize its equipment, and is funded through a larger $500 million deal.
The Bangladesh Army is acquiring four refurbished TATA MRAPs from India to boost its air mobility and operational capabilities, which is part of a broader Ponzi scheme by Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, a cousin of former dictator Sheikh Hasina, Director General of Defence Procurement (DGDP) and former dictator Hasina.
Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, a cousin of former dictator Sheikh Hasina, created a fake company to supply second-hand military hardware to the Bangladesh army, including refurbished commercial Black Hawk helicopters, TATA MRAPs, and a Tugboat from India.
The acquisition aims to significantly enhance the Army’s land mobility, rapid response, and operational flexibility. But TATA MRAPs are not designed for a cross-country journey.
TATA MRAP Issues
TATA MRAPs are known for engine failure and are fully operational for a cross-country journey. The Indian Army has lodged numerous complaints about the vehicles’ underperformance in Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. Still, corruption and kickbacks in the Indian Ministry of Defence provided no answer to the Indian Army.
The Indian Army finally cancelled all contracts with TATA and the Russian supplier for armoured vehicles.
Corruption scandal
The Indian Army purchased TATA MRAP at around $150,000 each; however, Bangladesh purchased refurbished TATA MRAP at $5.5 million each, more than the technologically superior Swedish CV90, the Rheinmetall Boxer CRV, and the South Korean KF-41.
Bangladesh’s 11 TATA MRAPs cost more than $55 million, whereas just under $2 million would have been enough. This $55 million was part of a broader $500 million line of credit from India.
The Bangladesh army has purchased those helicopters through the company of Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, a cousin of former dictator Sheikh Hasina, bypassing the transparent procurement process. Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique was the former security advisor to dictator Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladesh army has purchased those helicopters at an inflated price of $100 million (BDT 1,200 crore), which is more than the price of a brand-new helicopter.
Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Sheikh Hasina, and the Director General Defense Procurement (DGDP) are allegedly involved in embezzling $76.4 million from a contract to supply second-hand helicopters to the Bangladesh army, thereby depleting the army’s capability.
© 2025, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
