The Bangladesh Armed Forces are the military forces of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. They consist of the three uniformed military services: the Bangladesh Army, the Bangladesh Navy, and the Bangladesh Air Force. The Armed Forces are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defence of the Government of Bangladesh, and are directly administered by the Armed Forces Division of the Prime Minister's Office. The President of Bangladesh serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Bangladesh has the third-largest defence budget in South Asia. The Bangladeshi military is the 37th strongest in the world and the third most powerful military force in South Asia. Border Guard Bangladesh and Bangladesh Coast Guard are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs during peacetime, but during wartime, they fall under the command of the Bangladesh Army and the Bangladesh Navy, respectively.
The Bangladesh Army is the land warfare branch, and the largest component of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The primary mission of the Army is to defend the land of Bangladesh from any external attack. Control of personnel and operations is administered by the Army Headquarters, Dhaka Cantonment. The Bangladesh Army is also constitutionally obligated to assist the government, during times of domestic national emergency e.g. the army helps people during any natural calamity. This additional role is commonly referred to as "aid to civil administration" or, using the Latin form, "Protectio, Transparentia, Reintegratio", in others words, "Protect and Serve".
Dhaka Cantonment is a cantonment located in the northern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The headquarters of the Bangladesh Army and Air Force are situated within the cantonment. The cantonment is located on the north-east end of Dhaka.
On 25 March 1971, the Pakistani military, supported by paramilitary units, launched the military operation to pacify the insurgent-held areas of East Pakistan, which led to a prolonged conflict with the Bengali Mukti Bahini. Although conventional in nature during March–May 1971, it soon turned into a guerrilla insurgency from June of that year. Indian Army had not directly supported the Bengali resistance but had launched Operation Jackpot to support the insurgency from May 1971.
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy, Bir Bikram, SBP, BSP, OSP, ndc, psc is a retired lieutenant general of Bangladesh Army and former commandant of National Defence College. He previously served as GOC of Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC).
ARTDOC is a research-oriented formation in the Bangladesh Army. Its headquarters is located in Momenshahi Cantonment, Mymensingh. It is charged with overseeing training evaluation and reforms; weapon, equipment and force modernization; development of concepts and doctrine revision. It consists of its headquarters, battle group and all the training institutions of the Bangladesh Army. The first General Officer Commanding of ARTDOC was Major General Muhammad Zia-Ur-Rahman, ndc, psc.
Jahangirabad Cantonment is a military base located in Bogra, near Bogra city bypass road. It is the HQ of 11th Artillery Brigade.
Chittagong Cantonment is situated near Bayezid Bostami of Chattogram, Bangladesh. It is the headquarters of 24th Infantry Division.
S. M. Matiur Rahman OSP (BAR), SUP, afwc, psc, is a retired three-star-rank Bangladesh Army officer, a lieutenant general. He was general officer commanding, Army Training and Doctrine Command, Mymensingh Cantonment. Prior to join ARTDOC, he was GOC of 24 Infantry Division and area commander of Chattogram area. Earlier, he was adjutant general of the Bangladesh Army. He was also the vice chairman of Trust Bank's board of directors. He served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 55 Infantry Division & Area Commander of Jessore Area. He also served as the director of Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Bureau (CTIB) of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence. He served as commander of 46th Independent Infantry Brigade. He also served as additional director general (operations) of the Rapid Action Battalion.
The 17th Infantry Division is a formation of the Bangladesh Army. It was formed as part of the development vision of Bangladesh Armed Forces Forces Goal 2030. It is located in Sylhet Division.
The 9th Infantry Division is a formation of the Bangladesh Army, based in Savar Cantonment, Savar, Dhaka. It is the first infantry division of the Bangladesh Army that was raised post-independence.
Jashore Cantonment is a cantonment located in the southern part of Bangladesh in Jashore District outside Jashore town and the Headquarters of 55th Infantry Division.
403 Battle Group is the only military organization of Bangladesh Army established to test and validate existing and new doctrine related to training and operations. It is part of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (ARTDOC).
Shahid Salahuddin Cantonment is a cantonment located in Ghatail Upazila, Tangail District, Bangladesh.The cantonment is named in honour of Captain Salauddin Mumtaz who was killed during Battle of Kamalpur at Bangladesh Liberation War. The HQ of 19th Infantry Divisions is here. The contemporary commander is Major General Hussain Muhammad Mashiur Rahman.
Rajendrapur Cantonment is a cantonment located in Gazipur, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh.
Sheikh Mohammad Shafiuddin Ahmed is a retired Bangladeshi four star general who was Chief of Army Staff (CAS) of the Bangladesh Army, from 24 June 2021 to 23 June 2024. Prior to his appointment as CAS, he served as the quartermaster general (QMG) of Bangladesh Army as a lieutenant general. In his 40 year long military career he has also served as director general of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Director of Military Training (DMT), Besides commanding an infantry brigade and an infantry division.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman SBP OSP SGP psc is a four star general of the Bangladesh Army who is the current Chief of Army Staff (CAS) of the Bangladesh Army since 23 June 2024. Prior to his appointment as CAS, he served as the Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the Bangladesh Army. He is also the Colonel Commandant of Army Service Corps. Previously, he served as the 15th Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces Division.
Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury SBP, BSP, ndc, psc is a retired lieutenant general of the Bangladesh Army and served as quartermaster general (QMG) of the Bangladesh Army in Army Headquarters. Before that he was general officer commanding of Army Training and Doctrine Command. Prior to that, he was director general of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence. He is the former general officer commanding (GOC) of the 10th Infantry Division and area commander, Cox’s Bazar Area and 33rd Infantry Division and area commander, Cumilla Area.
