Bangladesh Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 49th
MPR SCORE: 631
MPR Index: 0.2610 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.478 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +0.7003 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Bangladesh ranks 49th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR), based on its large manpower base, expanding defense modernization efforts, and active contributions to global peacekeeping operations. While it lacks advanced military technology or regional dominance, Bangladesh maintains a well-structured, multi-domain military focused on border security, internal stability, and maritime protection in the Bay of Bengal. It also plays a prominent diplomatic and humanitarian role through the United Nations, consistently ranking among the top contributors to global peacekeeping forces.
Strengths: Manpower, Peacekeeping, and Maritime Expansion
Bangladesh’s defense strategy is built around quantity, discipline, and gradual modernization in a geopolitically sensitive region:
Large Active Military Force
With over 230,000 active personnel, Bangladesh has one of the largest standing militaries in South Asia.
The Bangladesh Army is the largest service branch
Focused on territorial defense, border control, and counterinsurgency
Global Peacekeeping Leadership
Bangladesh consistently ranks as a top UN peacekeeping troop contributor, deploying thousands of soldiers across Africa and the Middle East.
This provides global visibility
Experience in foreign operations
A diplomatic soft-power advantage
Maritime and Air Modernization
The Bangladesh Navy is gradually expanding, with recent acquisitions of Chinese-built frigates, corvettes, and maritime patrol aircraft
The Air Force is being upgraded with JF-17s, Yak-130 trainers, and modern radar systems aimed at improving airspace control
Why Bangladesh Ranks Only 49th in 2025
Despite progress in modernization, Bangladesh's military remains limited in combat capability due to the following constraints:
1. Limited Technology and Strike Capability
Bangladesh does not possess strategic missile systems, nuclear weapons, or long-range artillery.
Most platforms are imported and lacking in cutting-edge electronics, EW systems, or stealth technology.
Force modernization is ongoing but hampered by budget limitations and reliance on Chinese and Russian platforms.
2. No Strategic Deterrent or Regional Power Projection
Bangladesh's military posture is defensive and reactive—focused on protecting national borders, not exerting regional influence.
It lacks the capacity to project power beyond its territory or engage in sustained combat with peer adversaries like India or Myanmar.
Military doctrine prioritizes internal stability and disaster response over external warfighting readiness.
3. Industrial and Logistical Constraints
Bangladesh has a limited domestic defense industry, with minimal indigenous production of weapons systems or vehicles.
Most procurement depends on bilateral arrangements, primarily with China, Turkey, and Russia.
Logistics, spare parts, and maintenance remain major challenges during extended operations.
Conclusion
Bangladesh is a manpower-rich, diplomatically active military with a growing but still nascent modernization program. Its ranking of 49th in the 2025 MPR reflects its strengths in peacekeeping, border defense, and internal stability, while acknowledging its limited ability to conduct high-intensity or offensive operations.
As a force focused on national security, humanitarian assistance, and international contribution, Bangladesh holds a unique position in South Asia—but one that is constrained by technological, doctrinal, and strategic limitations in real war scenarios.
Military Strength and Force Projection:
Active Military Personnel: 160,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 65,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 100,000+ (Border Guard Bangladesh and Rapid Action Battalion)
Army Personnel: 120,000
Navy Personnel: 20,000
Air Force Personnel: 20,000
Ground Forces:
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 350+ (Type 59, MBT-2000)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 1,500+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 500+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 50+
Air Force:
Combat Aircraft: 40+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 60+
Transport Aircraft: 30+
Aircraft Breakdown:
F-7 Fighter Jets: 10
MiG-29 Fighter Jets: 8
C-130 Hercules: 5 (transport)
Naval Forces:
Submarines: 2 (Type 035G)
Frigates: 5
Corvettes: 2
Patrol Vessels: 30+
Fast Attack Craft: 15+
Missile Capabilities:
Bangladesh does not possess strategic missile capabilities, but its defense systems include anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles. The country has focused on enhancing its coastal defense to protect its maritime borders in the Bay of Bengal.
Strategic Partnerships:
Bangladesh maintains defense partnerships with China, the United States, and India. Its cooperation with China has led to the procurement of military equipment, while its relationships with India and the U.S. focus on regional security and joint military exercises. Bangladesh's military also plays a prominent role in UN peacekeeping missions.
Bangladesh – Military History & Combat Experience
Bangladesh’s military history is rooted in its war of independence from Pakistan and decades of internal security operations. While it has not fought conventional state-on-state wars since 1971, its armed forces have gained extensive experience through counterinsurgency, border defense, and UN peacekeeping deployments, making it one of the most operationally active forces in the developing world.
Bangladesh Liberation War (1971): The defining conflict of the Bangladeshi military, this war saw the Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters), supported by India, defeat the Pakistan Army in East Pakistan. The war lasted nine months and culminated in the Pakistan’s military garrison’s surrender in East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh as an independent state. The conflict established the foundation of the country’s armed forces and military doctrine.
Chittagong Hill Tracts Conflict (1977–1997): For two decades, the Bangladesh Army engaged in a counterinsurgency campaign against ethnic insurgents in the southeastern hill region. The military conducted operations focused on jungle warfare, intelligence-led raids, and civic-military coordination. A peace accord was signed in 1997, ending the conflict but reinforcing the army’s internal security role.
India-Bangladesh Border Skirmishes: Bangladesh has had minor border clashes with India, particularly around the adverse possession enclaves and riverine boundaries. These have generally been resolved diplomatically but underscore the need for vigilance along one of the world’s most complex borders.
UN Peacekeeping Missions: Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest troop contributors to UN missions, including deployments in Congo, Sudan, Mali, Lebanon, and Haiti. These missions have enhanced the force’s logistics, coordination, and multinational interoperability skills.
Bangladesh’s military doctrine is built around territorial defense, border control, and international peacekeeping, rather than external power projection. Its real combat experience is limited to insurgency and stabilization, but its operational exposure is significant by global peacekeeping standards.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~173.8 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~72 million (males and females aged 18–49)
Geographic Area: 147,570 km²
Land Boundaries: 4,413 km
Bordering Countries: India, Myanmar
Coastline: 580 km (Bay of Bengal)
Climate: Tropical; mild winter, hot and humid summer, and humid monsoon
Terrain: Mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in the southeast
Natural Resources: Natural gas, arable land, timber, coal
Proven Oil Reserves: ~28 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~12 trillion cubic feet (~340 billion cubic meters)
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$5.1 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.5%
GDP (PPP): ~$1.16 trillion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$6,700
External Debt: ~$98 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Increasing gradually; modernization under “Forces Goal 2030”
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: No conscription; professional volunteer force
Primary Defense Focus: Border protection, counterinsurgency, natural disaster response, and maritime security
Military Industry Base: Developing; includes Bangladesh Ordnance Factories, Khulna Shipyard, and local maintenance of aircraft and armor
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Growing; part of military modernization strategy
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into area commands under Army, Navy, and Air Force Headquarters
Missile Inventory Highlights: FM-90, QW-2 MANPADS, C-802A anti-ship missiles, SY-400 SRBMs (procured), guided MLRS systems
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Organized civil defense and auxiliary forces; mobilization capability within 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~200,000 (including trained auxiliaries and Border Guard units)
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Bangabandhu-1 communication satellite; plans for dual-use remote sensing assets
Military Satellite Inventory: Limited; dependent on Bangabandhu-1 and commercial sources for ISR
Intelligence Infrastructure: Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), Military Intelligence
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Regional cooperation with India, China, and select UN peacekeeping intelligence networks
Airports (Total): ~27 (civilian and military)
Major Military Airports: BAF Base Kurmitola, BAF Base Bashar, BAF Base Zahurul Haque
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~90 vessels
Major Ports: Chattogram, Mongla, Payra
Naval Infrastructure: Frigates, corvettes, OPVs, missile boats, and two submarines; emphasis on littoral and EEZ defense
Naval Replenishment Capability: Regional; suited for coastal operations and extended patrol missions
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~2,900 km
Roadways: ~274,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~4,500 barrels per day
Energy Imports: Imports most petroleum and coal; domestic gas reserves used for electricity
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Limited; under development with storage expansion plans
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Focused on small arms, ammunition, patrol boats, and armored vehicle assembly
Military Installations (Domestic): Dozens of bases across the country; including new naval and air installations in southern districts
Military Installations (Overseas): None; contributes heavily to UN peacekeeping missions
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None permanent; joint training with China, India, Turkey, and the U.S.
Defense Alliances: Non-aligned but maintains strong bilateral ties with China, Turkey, and the U.S.; UN peacekeeping leadership
Strategic Airlift Capability: Operates C-130Bs, Y-12s, and An-32s; sufficient for regional operations
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low to moderate; expanding via military-civilian industrial partnerships
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Modest; focused on radar, tactical UAVs, naval sensors, and secure communications
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Petrobangla (energy), Bangladesh Railway, Biman Bangladesh (aviation), Khulna Shipyard, BSEC (engineering)
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Dhaka
Founding Date: March 26, 1971 (independence from Pakistan)
System of Government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
