Staff Reporter:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday said his government is committed to building a modern and technology-driven Bangladesh Army capable of meeting the demands of the time.
He said, “Bangladesh is currently facing complex and multidimensional security challenges, including maritime and border security, transnational and cross-border threats, cyber and information security, disaster response and humanitarian assistance.
“As a result, it is now the demand of time to follow a realistic and sustainable model of defence modern-isation, taking into account Bangladesh’s geographical location, economic capacity, national security needs, and the expectations and tolerance of the people,” he added.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Army Headquar-ters Selection Board-2026 at the Dhaka Cantonment here this morning.
He said, “As Prime Minister and Defence Minister, I believe the strength of Bangladesh’s defence lies not only in the capability of the armed forces but also in the unity, preparedness, and resilience of the entire nation”.
Tarique Rahman said following the vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the present government will formulate a modern policy under which the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, civil admin-istration, industry, technology, educational institutions, and the country’s people will work together as part of an integrated national security framework.
“The objective of this policy is not to promote war, but to build a well-prepared, stable, and self-reliant armed force capable of responding to any potential crisis, aggression, or disaster while safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, independence, and national interests,” he added.
Addressing senior army officials, the Prime Minister said that the nature of warfare has changed signifi-cantly.
“Security yesterday is no longer limited to protecting territorial borders. It also encompasses cyberspace, information warfare, drone technology, artificial intelligence, and regional geopolitical competition,” he said.
The premier said, therefore, the government wants to further strengthen the defence system by enhancing drone technology, satellite surveillance, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities.
Tarique Rahman said the government is preparing a roadmap for the modernization and development of the armed forces.
About the Army Headquarters Selection Board 2026, the Prime Minister said discipline in recruitment and promotion in the Bangladesh Army will be re-established through this Selection Board, which has been formed to duly identify and recognise qualified individuals based on merit, competence, efficiency, and integrity.
“At the same time, I believe it will establish a strong foundation for visionary and professional leader-ship in the Army of the future,” he said, adding, “I feel a sense of pride in every success of the Army. On the other hand, I feel discomfort whenever there is any negative news concerning the Army.”
Noting that the cantonment is a place of deep emotion and memories for him, Tarique Rahman said, “As you know, my adolescent and youthful years were spent in a military environment, both at home and outside. Therefore, I am naturally quite familiar with the Army’s discipline, rules, and regulations. For these reasons, whenever I speak about the Army, I become somewhat nostalgic.”
He said, “I grew up with my parents and my only younger brother within the disciplined and regulated environment followed in the Army. I always consider the Army as a part of my extended family.”
Recalling Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimed of the country’s independence, with due re-spect, Tarique Rahman said, “By declaring independence as an Army officer, then Major Ziaur Rahman made the Army an inseparable part of the history of Bangladesh’s independence and Liberation War. Undoubtedly, this is a glorious chapter for the country’s Army.”
He noted that the Bangladesh Army’s role in protecting the country’s sovereignty, combating terrorism in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions is highly commenda-ble.
Regarding promotions in the Army, the Prime Minister said, “If certain specific policies are followed in promotions and appointments, the Army Headquarters Selection Board can play a groundbreaking role in establishing professionalism. Let merit and competence become the main criteria for an Army of-ficer’s promotion.”
He said, “An officer’s physical fitness and physical appearance should be among the key considerations for promotion.”
Referring to the issue of physical fitness and regular exercise, the Prime Minister said he found a remark by the late U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf particularly relevant.
He said, “General H. Norman Schwarzkopf said, ‘The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.’ Therefore, there is no room for compromise at any level regarding discipline and fitness in the Army.”
The Prime Minister hoped that the officers selected through the Selection Board would further strength-en the continuity of the Bangladesh Army’s success, glory, and professionalism in the future.
“The vision of the current government is ‘Bangladesh First’ in protecting the country’s interests. In pro-tecting the interests of the people, it is ‘Bangladesh for All’,” he said.
