Experts argue that defense procurement is usually kept secret under the guise of national security, allowing space for political influence and irregularities. The complexity of purchases and commissions often becomes a haven for corruption.
In South Asia’s geopolitical context, all countries have prioritised military modernisation, investing billions of dollars in fighter jets, radars, submarines, and missile systems.
Yet, nearly every large defense procurement deal across the region has sparked controversy, often involving allegations of corruption and financial misconduct.
Bangladesh’s defence sector has been riddled with corruption, embezzlement and money laundering since the country’s birth.
In 1982, shortly after assuming power, the late military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad allegedly bypassed the recommendation of a radar evaluation committee and procured radar systems.
In 1999, allegations of financial scandal arose in the purchase of MiG-29 fighter jets during the Awami League regime. Sheikh Hasina was believed to have received $5 million in a bribe in connection with the MiG-29 deal.
Sheikh Hasina is believed to have received $10 million to purchase a South Korean-made warship named BNS Bangabandhu.
However, a few days after seizing power in 1982, Hussain Muhammad Ershad and some military officers ignored the evaluation committee’s recommendation and purchased radar from the Westinghouse company instead of France’s CSF.
As a result, the government suffered a loss of BDT 640.4 million. A charge sheet was filed in 1994, and charges were filed in 1995. After a long trial, the court acquitted everyone in 2017, including Ershad.
Later, in 2010, the High Court acquitted Sheikh Hasina. The remaining accused were acquitted by a Dhaka court in 2011. Former Air Force Chief Jamal Uddin Ahmed and former Defense Secretary Syed Yusuf Hossain were among the accused in the case.
According to Major General (Retd.) Fazle Elahi Akbar, Chairman of the Foundation for Strategic and Development Studies, said these scandals are rooted in political interference. He said, “Corruption in any purchase usually begins at the political level. Without political collusion, these irregularities wouldn’t be possible. That’s why items worth one taka are often purchased for ten.”
According to him, “There may be some internationally set standards regarding the issue of commission, but in reality, things worth BDT 100 are being bought for BDT 250, which is in no way acceptable.”
He also emphasized that corruption is not exclusive to the military sector but reflects a broader systemic issue in Bangladesh, adding, “Over the past 15 years, mega projects have almost always been associated with mega corruption.”
He noted that excessive secrecy in the defense sector also enables corruption. “When purchasing for national interest, except for technical specifications, there’s no reason to hide what is being bought or at what cost. Transparency would reduce corruption.”
Despite its geopolitically sensitive position, Bangladesh has yet to establish a comprehensive and modern air defense system. While global military powers are relying on multi-layered air defense structures, Bangladesh remains dependent on outdated short-range systems.
BAF currently operates 44 fighter aircraft, including 36 Chinese-made F-7s and eight Soviet-era MiG-29s. It also has 14 Russian Yak-130 jets for training and light combat roles.
The Bangladesh government has lost more than $100 million in corruption and embezzlement through these purchases from Russia and China.
Bangladesh Navy chief has stolen more than $30 million from the tugboat contract awarded to the Indian shipbuilder. Bangladesh Army chief has stolen more than $50 million from the tank contract awarded to Norinco. Similarly, the Bangladesh air guard chief stole more than $50 million from a Chinese radar contract.
Many of these are second or third-generation aircraft, which might become ineffective against modern stealth or radar-evading technologies. The Air Force has a fleet of 73 helicopters. Of these, 36 are Russian MI series helicopters.
There are also 24 inoperable Mi-series helicopters of various models made in Russia.
BAF’s two primary fighter aircraft, MiG-29 and F-7, are now significantly outdated. While the MiG-29s were considered advanced at the time of purchase, rapid technological evolution has left them behind.
The F-7s, based on the old Soviet MiG-21, lack modern features such as multirole capabilities and advanced navigation systems. These F-7 jets were procured under a 2011 deal with China.
According to UK-based defense intelligence firm Janes Information Services, the aircraft belonged to the final batch of the Chengdu J-7/F-7 series.
Bangladesh received 16 of them between 2012 and 2013, becoming the last country to receive the aircraft before China shut down production in 2013. At that time, most countries had already phased out the model. Jane’s Defense Weekly noted that the aircraft are technologically outdated and unfit for modern aerial warfare. F-7 crashes have also been recorded in China, Myanmar, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Sri Lanka. In Bangladesh, four crashes of this model have occurred in recent years, with the latest being the tragic crash into the Milestone School building in Uttara, sparking renewed debate regarding the aircraft’s continued use.
Speaking on the issue, Major General (Retd.) Fazle Elahi Akbar said, “Bangladesh bought the final batch of this model. Although they were brand new at the time, the production line closed shortly after. With advances in technology over the past decade, these aircraft can now be considered outdated. It’s time to focus on effectiveness in warfare, not just price. We should now aim to buy at least fifth-generation fighter jets.”
While neighbouring countries have significantly increased their defence spending and acquisitions, Bangladesh has taken the opposite route. Although its defense budget has grown in local currency terms, it has shrunk in dollar value. Most of the funds are spent on operations and infrastructure rather than new procurement.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), imports of weaponry fell by nearly 48 percent during the period from 2018 to 2022, compared to the previous five-year period. Meanwhile, Transparency International’s Government Defence Integrity Index 2020 lists Bangladesh among countries at high risk for corruption in the defense sector, scoring just 25 out of 100, placing it in the lowest “E” category.
Colonel (Retd.) Muhammad Sohel Rana, who previously served in the Army Aviation of the Bangladesh Army, told Bonik Barta, “In many countries, commission in military procurement is both common and, in some cases, legal. But in countries like Bangladesh, political agendas often hijack these mechanisms, creating more serious problems.”
He added, “Cases often stem from political motives. Later, under a new government, top defense officials themselves became the accused. This may discourage top officers from purchasing equipment.” He warned that this culture could hinder the modernization and capability-building of the military.
Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Mahmud Hussain identified political interference, corruption, ineptitude and the lack of long-term planning as the primary obstacles to effective procurement.
He said, “Politicization is the main reason for these corruptions. Any large-scale military procurement has political influence and political pressure in policy-making that is sometimes so strong that it makes it very difficult to acquire the right equipment.”
He believes that in military procurement, it is important to make planned decisions within a national security framework, but Bangladeshi military officers prioritise bribing suppliers first, then buying hardware from them.
For this, he suggests a strong National Security Council to be formed, including representation from the military, civilian, technical, and diplomatic levels. There, through discussion and analysis, it will be decided what kind of equipment is needed, why it is needed, and within how many years it will be procured.
According to Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Mahmud Hossain, with such an institutional structure, will ensure transparency and accountability, reducing political influence and allowing the forces to make more independent decisions on modernization.
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