Dhaka: India and its neighboring country, Bangladesh, share a complex relationship rooted in historical, cultural, and geographic connections. The Union government has taken serious note of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, and shared its concerns with the interim government in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed the Parliament on Friday. As per the news agency ANI report, Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das has been charged with sedition for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong on October 25.
Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das was presented before a Chittagong court on November 25. The court denied his bail plea and sent him to custody. The arrest has further strained relations between the Bangladesh government and ISKCON, fuelling protests and unrest.
Soldiers, tanks, artillery, fighter jets: How powerful is the Bangladesh military? Can it compete with India? Check their global ranking
Bangladesh’s armed forces are known for their disciplined structure, with contributions across three branches: the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The military’s growing influence in the country’s political and administrative affairs further underlines its significance in shaping Bangladesh’s internal and external policies. While the country has focused on strengthening its defensive capabilities, we must understand its stance in terms of size and technological sophistication when compared to India’s military, which is one of the largest and most advanced in the world. To know more, read the detailed story below.
According to the Global Firepower Index 2024, Bangladesh has secured the 37th spot among 145 countries in terms of military strength. While India has secured the 4th position in the list. As per Navbharat Times – Indiatimes report, Bangladesh’s defense budget for 2024 stands at $3.6 billion, reflecting an 11 per cent increase compared to the previous year. This means more money and more focus. This rise highlights the country’s focus on strengthening its military capabilities, with the increased budget likely being allocated to modernizing equipment, enhancing training, and improving the overall defense infrastructure.
The report further said that Bangladesh’s military consists of approximately 163,000 active-duty soldiers, while the country also maintains a significant force of 6.8 million in its paramilitary units. Bangladesh possesses a total of 320 tanks, all of which are of Chinese origin. The main models in its inventory include the MBT-2000, Type-59, Type-69-IIA, and the more modern Type 15. Bangladesh’s military arsenal includes 27 self-propelled artillery systems and 437 towed artillery units.
The report further mentioned that Bangladesh’s military is equipped with 71 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), a vital component of its artillery capabilities. Bangladesh’s military strength includes a diverse array of equipment across its air force, navy, and land forces. Bangladesh’s Air Force has a total of 147 aircraft, which include various types for different roles: It has 44 fighter jets, transport aircraft, and 87 trainer aircraft. Bangladesh has a fleet of 73 helicopters; however, it does not possess any attack helicopters, which limits its offensive capabilities in aerial combat situations.
Bangladesh’s navy does not possess destroyers, a type of heavily armed warship designed for large-scale naval combat. Instead, its fleet consists of 7 frigates and 6 corvettes, the report mentioned.
The country’s navy is relatively modern in terms of its assets, though it lacks some of the more advanced or larger vessels of major maritime powers. The country operates two submarines, the BNS Navajatra and BNS Joyjatra, both of which were inducted in 2017. These Chinese-made submarines enhance Bangladesh’s naval defense capabilities, allowing it to project power in regional waters.
In addition to the submarines, Bangladesh’s naval fleet includes 55 patrol ships, which are primarily tasked with safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. The navy also operates 5 mine warfare vessels.
from World – Latest News, Breaking News, LIVE News, Top News Headlines, Viral Video, Cricket LIVE, Sports, Entertainment, Business, Health, Lifestyle and Utility News | India.Com https://ift.tt/1Tno6XW
