More hardware under procurement to make army all-round: PM

The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on Wednesday said besides establishing new structures for Bangladesh Army, a process is under way to procure significant amount of military equipment from various countries including China and Serbia to make Army more modern, time befitting and all-round, reports United News of Banglaesh.She stated this while addressing the passing out parade of 71 Long Course and 42 Short Course of Bangladesh Military Academy.Hasina mentioned that the government has signed a one billion dollar deal with Russia to purchase ultra-modern military equipments, which will increase the capability of the army to a great extent.She also said that new modern tanks, armoured personnel carriers and multi-barrel rocket launchers have been added to the army to increase its capability.Terming Bangladesh Army, awakened with the spirit of the war of independence, as the pride of the nation, the Prime Minister said the Awami League government undertook multifaceted and massive programmes to develop a time befitting armed forces.

To this end, she said, various establishments including National Defence College, Military Institute of Science and Technology, Armed Forces Medical College and Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training were set up during the 1996-2001 period.Hasina also mentioned that in line of Bangabandhu’s defence policy of 1974, the government formulated the ‘Forces Goal 2030’ and as part of this, the government has established an infantry division in Sylhet and six units with area headquarters.She said that permission has been given to set up a new infantry division at Ramu in Cox’s Bazar and the process to set up a new division in the country’s southern region is going on.Apart from these, Bangabandhu Complex has been constructed at the BMA to transform it as an international standard academy with all modern facilities of indoor training for the cadets, she added.The prime minister asked the newly commissioned officers in Bangladesh Army to be always ready to safeguard the country’s independence and sovereignty.‘It should be the first and sole vow of the new officers to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty by sacrificing even their last drop of blood,’ she said.The prime minister also highlighted the contributions of the Army in establishing peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region as well as developing various infrastructures and constructing roads and highways and flyovers, and in preparing voter lists and machine readable passport.Through the colourful ceremony, a total of 159 cadets including 14 female cadets from 71 BMA Long Course and 17 cadets including four female cadets from 42 BMA Special Course were commissioned to Bangladesh Army.Md Khaled Hossain was adjudged the best all round cadet and awarded the coveted Sword of Honour and SM Ziaul Islam received the Chief of Army Staff’s Gold Medal’ for his outstanding performance in military subjects.

 

Courtesy: http://newagebd.net/79517/more-hardware-under-procurement-to-make-army-all-round-pm/#sthash.yklmZ7ux.dpbs