Dhaka, Mar 12 (V7N) –China has transferred various types of military technology to Bangladesh, through which Bangladesh has taken the initiative to build a domestic defence industrial base, according to a research paper.

The research paper titled “National Image of China in Bangladesh” was published on Tuesday. Imtiaz Ahmed, former professor of Dhaka University and executive director of the Centre for Alternatives, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and others participated in the inaugural function of the research paper organized by the Centre for Alternatives at a Dhaka hotel.


This comes weeks before the visit of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to China. If all goes according to plan, Yunus will visit China on March 26. He is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 28.

The research paper states that Beijing has transferred technology to Bangladesh Ordnance Factories and Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory Ltd for small and medium-sized weapons such as rifles, rocket launchers, manpads, light utility vehicles, etc, which helps to achieve the goal of building a domestic defence industrial base.

“In 2012, with Chinese assistance, the Bangladesh Navy also included the first domestically produced patrol vessel built at Khulna Shipyard Ltd in the fleet.”

The report says there was no change in the relations between the two countries even after the change of power in August. It mentions that in October, the People's Liberation Army Navy sent two of its warships to Chittagong port for a goodwill visit.


The paper notes that this is a symbol of the defence relationship remaining intact despite the change of power in Dhaka.

It was the first visit by a foreign naval vessel after the interim government took power, it says, adding that the interim government has expressed its desire to further strengthen defence and security cooperation with China.

The research paper also mentions that at a seminar in Dhaka in October, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain emphasized the government's desire to continue bilateral defence cooperation, confirming that Bangladesh wanted more defence cooperation with China and identified defence cooperation as an essential component of bilateral relations.

Military agreement
The paper says that in 2002, the two countries signed a defence cooperation agreement, including military training and defence production.

It notes that as a result, the defence and security relations between the two countries reached an important milestone.

This agreement helped institutionalize defence cooperation between the two states instead of adopting a fragmented approach, the paper adds.

“In 2014, the two countries signed four agreements on military cooperation, one of which was an agreement where the People's Liberation Army (PLA) would provide military assistance to the Bangladesh Armed Forces (AFD), including free training and supplies.

“Another agreement stated that the PLA would assist Bangladesh in setting up a language lab at Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). Bangladesh and China also cooperate in United Nations peacekeeping operations. In May 2024, the two countries organized a historic joint military exercise, which reaffirmed their close defence ties.”


Purchase of defence equipment
“Defence cooperation is one of the main foundations of bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and China. Since the establishment of formal relations in 1975, it has been one of the most important priorities of bilateral relations. Due to internal political changes in 1975, China became a reliable partner for military equipment and defence assistance,” the paper reads.

It says many experts believe that after 1975 Dhaka became more inclined towards the Pakistan-China axis from the India-Soviet axis.

“Soviet military cooperation decreased, and China got an opportunity to fill the void. Defence cooperation with China also gained momentum due to Bangladesh's strategic considerations because, for a long time, Bangladesh maintained a relatively hostile environment with its neighbours India and Myanmar.”

From 1975 to 1980, China's defence aid became the focus of bilateral relations, as it supplied 78% of Bangladesh's weapons at that time, the report adds.

According to the research report, Bangladesh is currently the second largest buyer of Chinese weapons. Bangladesh accounted for 11% of China's total arms sales from 2019 to 2023. As the 26th largest arms buyer in the world, Bangladesh bought about 72% of its total arms from China during that period.

The report cites the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which says Bangladesh spent $2.59 billion on arms purchases from China from 2010 to 2019.

“Dhaka has bought important weapons from Beijing, including maritime patrol vessels, corvettes, tanks, fighter jets, and surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles.”

Unconditional sale
The research report states that the weapons supplied by China do not add any conditions to Bangladesh's internal political environment, and the country provides access to important military equipment – something Bangladesh will not get from other countries.

“Defence cooperation with China has significantly boosted Bangladesh's ambitious military modernization campaign, Force Goal 2030, and made China Bangladesh's main defence partner. Due to familiarity, tradition and preference, the Bangladesh Armed Forces wants to acquire modern Chinese weapons in its arsenal. Moreover, Beijing supplies modern, high-tech and sophisticated military equipment at a relatively low cost compared to other countries.

“Both countries have demonstrated a positive and constructive attitude in increasing cooperation in peacekeeping, development and conflict resolution. From the very beginning of bilateral relations, the purchase and supply of military equipment have been an integral part of defence cooperation. Gradually, over time, defence cooperation between the two countries has not only been limited to arms sales but has become comprehensive,” the research report adds.

END/MSS/AJ