Dr.Syed Mehboob
Political and Economic Analyst
http//: www.thenewslark.com
email: drmehboob.thenewslark@gmail.com
Turkiye and Bangladesh are both peace-loving countries. Both countries promote peace and dialogue at every international forum. Despite their keen desire for peace, they have the right to strengthen their defence against any aggression. Both Turkiye and Bangladesh have joined hands to cooperate in the defence sector.
A significant nine-member Turkish delegation led by Haluk Gorgun, Secretary of Turkish Defence Industries Savunma Sanayii Baskani ( SSB), visited Dhaka on July 8-9 and met Bangladeshi Chief of Army Staff, General Wakar uz- Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Air Staff ( CAS) Air Chief Marshal Hassan Mahmud Khan to discuss issues to related to defence collaboration, procurement of high-tech defence equipment and facilitating transfer of critical technologies. Apart from agreeing to share experience in naval platforms, modern combat systems, and defence technologies, Gorgun also met Yunus and extended Turkey’s support to set up two defence industry complexes in Chittagong and Narayanganj.
Bangladesh has requested concessional credit lines, soft loans or deferred payment schedules to import Turkey’s Bayraktar TB-2 UAVs, TRG-300 Rocket systems, Otokar Cobra-II Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAPs), and other defence products. Gorgun’s visit aimed at cementing advanced strategic partnerships between the two countries and enhancing Bangladesh’s defence capabilities through foreign investment.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun also visited Turkey in May-June 2025 to discuss the setting up of two ‘dedicated defence industrial clusters’ in Chittagong and Narayanganj.Harun proposed co-production and transfer of technology, offering tax holidays, duty exemptions, with operational latitude during his visit to Mikineve Kimya Endustrisi (MKE), a Turkish state-owned corporation, and Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation in Kirikkale in the Central Anatolia region, which manufactures weapons, explosives, ammunition, rocket systems, etc. Both Turkiye and Bangladesh agreed on cooperation in the defence sector. Bangladesh showed its interest in the procurement of Bayraktar drones, local production of 155 mm artillery shells, and assembly of Milli Piyade Tufegi National Infantry Rifles (MPT) 76 rifles and Platform Machine Gun (PMG) of Medium Machine Guns ( MMG).Bangladesh Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Hassan Mahmud Khan, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Nazmul Hassan also visited Istanbul on July 22-27 to attend the 17th International Defence Industry Fair.
Bangladesh is also working on getting another Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (C-UAV) or Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) from Bay Galata International, apparently for the protection of Saint Martin Island against unmanned aerial threats.
Earlier this year, Turkey’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat led a large delegation to Bangladesh and discussed technology transfer, energy issues, infrastructure, and investment in the defence sector, logistics, mining, e-commerce, and clean energy with Bangladeshi officials. Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain visited Antalya to attend Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) on April 11-13 this year and met the Chief Executive Officer of Turkish Aerospace, Mehmet Demiroglu Hossian suggested that Bangladesh required a reliable partner in aerospace technology, and it would be a win-win situation for both Bangladesh and Turkey if they cooperate.
Bangladesh-Turkey defence deals and trade relations continue to intensify significantly under the Yunus-led interim administration. Bangladesh has emerged as the fourth largest market for Turkish defence equipment, including Cobra Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), short-range missiles, Mine-Protected vehicles (MPVs), and multi-dimensional rocket defence systems. A key component of the cooperation remains drones and related technologies.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury recently visited a military factory during his visit to Turkiye. Defense cooperation between Bangladesh and Turkiye is growing day by day. In 2022, Bangladesh became the main buyer of Turkish defense equipment and weapons.Turkiye’s space industry chief paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of the Anadolu Diplomacy Conference in April. They discussed the cooperation in the space industry between the two countries.Bangladesh purchases weapons, including drones, from Turkiye. There is a good understanding between the two countries in military cooperation.
Görgün met Bangladesh military chief Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman as well as Bangladesh Navy chief Adm. Mohammad Nazmul Hassan.During the meeting with the army chief, the two sides discussed strengthening existing defence cooperation between the two countries.Görgün assured “cooperation and support” for defence industry development in Bangladesh.
During the meeting with the naval head, the two sides addressed mutual experience-sharing in naval platforms, modern combat systems and defence technologies, according to a statement on Facebook by the Turkish Embassy in Bangladesh.
Constructive consultations were held on advancing cooperation to enhance regional maritime security. The “bridges of friendship stretching from the (Turkish) Blue Homeland to the Bay of Bengal are being further strengthened through visionary partnerships in the defence industry.Görgün observed Türkiye’s “indigenous defence systems actively used by Bangladeshi authorities on-site,” during his visit to the facility where TB2s are deployed.
The high recognition earned by Türkiye’s defence industry on the international stage reflects the strength of its engineering, reliability, and proven performance in the field. Türkiye, with a significant focus not only on exports but also on post-sales support and sustainable performance, is steadily positioning itself among the most respected players in the global defence industry.
Both countries’ strong defence ties are a healthy sign, and Turkish support for Bangladesh will strengthen Bangladesh and make it capable of defending against ill eyes, and Bangladesh will emerge as a strong military and economic power soon.
