Dhaka, Oct 18: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday said the government was processing the implementation of a “One Rank, One Pension” (OROP) scheme for armed forces personnel, alongside efforts to modernise the military and develop a domestic defence industry.
Addressing a National Standard Awarding Ceremony at Savar Cantonment, Rahman said the government was working to build a more technology-driven, skilled, disciplined and professional armed forces, state-run news agency BSS reported.
Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had pledged to introduce OROP for retired military personnel in its election manifesto in February.
On August 31, the Cabinet decided to introduce the scheme for both military and civilian personnel in phases by 2030, citing the financial burden of immediate implementation and the lack of data on civilian employees who retired before 2019.
The push for military modernisation comes as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen its defence preparedness amid rapidly evolving warfare, with cyber and outer space capabilities, drones, artificial intelligence and electronic warfare becoming increasingly important to national security, Rahman said.
“Bangladesh wants to strengthen friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and equality,” he said, adding that safeguarding the country’s national interests, sovereignty and dignity would remain its foremost commitment.
Several battalions and regiments received the National Standard at the ceremony in recognition of their professional excellence.
Rahman said the strength of a modern military could not be measured merely by its weapons, equipment or manpower. “The true strength of a modern armed force lies in discipline, competence, leadership, integrity, training and public trust – and, above all, in the chain of command,” he said.
He said the government was continuing its efforts to make the armed forces more technology-driven, competent, disciplined, professional and modern.
The prime minister said the government attached importance to establishing a domestic defence industry to manufacture essential weapons, ammunition and equipment locally, alongside modernising the army.
Technology, however, could never replace people, he said, adding that Bangladesh needed an integrated defence capability that would enable the army, navy and air force to operate in coordination when required.
Rahman also said the public expected officers and soldiers at all levels to uphold the Constitution, laws, military regulations and humanitarian values while discharging their duties.
