Revisiting ‘Forces Goal 2030’: Bangladesh’s Military Modernization Plan Under the New Government

Khandakar Tahmid Rejwan

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The toppling of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a popular mass uprising has changed the strategic, political, and social dynamics of South Asia’s second-largest economy. Given the country’s pacifist foreign policy motto, it often gets overlooked that Bangladesh has the third most powerful armed forces in the region, only behind nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. Thus, Bangladesh is militarily the most powerful non-nuclear weapons state in South Asia.

Given its policy of non-alignment and strategic balancing with international and regional powers, a military with professional manpower and modern equipment has always been a crucial ambition for enhancing Bangladesh’s deterrence. However, the emphasis given to economic development – and the resulting lack of funds in the defense budget – meant that military ambition never materialized.

This changed in 2009, when, under Hasina’s direction, Dhaka initiated its first formalized military modernization plan, Forces Goal 2030. This plan – revised in 2017 – created a historic groundwork to meet the Bangladesh Armed Forces’ demand to transform into a sophisticated 21st century military. After more than 15 years of this initiative, the Armed Forces of Bangladesh (AFB) have been substantially upgraded.

With Hasina’s 15-year reign now over, the new interim government of Muhammad Yunus has initiated plans to reform key sectors and institutions of the country, including the police, judiciary, and constitution. Every major step taken during the previous administration is now subject to change. Therefore, it is not beyond question that the successes and limitations of Forces Goal 2030 may also undergo a reassessment by the current government.

Bangladesh’s shuffled geopolitical landscape and shifting security priorities in the post-Hasina period may require revisiting the current military modernization plan. This will also require securing deeper strategic ties with Dhaka’s primary arms sellers, such as China and Turkiye.