In a major shift, Bangladesh and Türkiye are moving from polite diplomacy to purposeful defence-industrial partnership — seeking joint production, training and tech-transfer under a new framework.
Key Points:
• A “Defence Framework for Cooperation” is nearing completion and will be a key subject during Bangladesh Army Chief Gen Waker-uz-Zaman’s visit to Türkiye in November.
• Türkiye’s Defence Industry Agency is supporting Bangladesh’s Ordnance Factory modernisation, signalling a move from import-only to local manufacturing.
• Bangladesh is diversifying its defence-supplier base beyond China and Russia, and Türkiye’s unmanned systems, armoured vehicles and guided weapons offer an appealing new option.
• Undertones of a broader political reset: increased high-level visits and renewed strategic alignment between Dhaka and Ankara.
• The partnership is expanding beyond defence — into trade, ship-building, textiles and energy — with a Joint Economic Commission meeting slated for February 2026.
Source: bdmilitary.com
