Do everything for modernisation of army: PM

Describing Bangladesh Army as a symbol of the national asset and pride, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday reaffirmed her firm commitment to do whatever is necessary for the development and modernisation of the force.

"As the head of the government, I am extending all kinds of support to the development of Bangladesh Army and I will do whatever is needed in future for further modernisation of the force," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the National Standard awarding function of the 12 Lancer of the Armoured Corps and the fifth reunion of the corps at the Armoured Corps Centre and School at Bogra Cantonment here this morning.

Sheikh Hasina reviewed the parade of the 5th reunion of the Armoured Corps and took salute riding on an open jeep.

She later handed over the National Standard to the unit commander of the 12 Lancer Corps, a unit of the Armoured Corps, as recognition to its work efficiency, hard exercise, dutifulness and serving to the country.

Earlier, on her arrival at Shaheed Badiuzzaman Parade Ground at the cantonment, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Haque.

Ministers, parliament members, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M Farid Habib and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Abu Esrar, GOC and Area Commander of Bangladesh Army, high civil and military officials and diplomats were present.

Sheikh Hasina asked the members of Bangladesh Army to continue their work with their prudence, professional efficiency and dutifulness for the welfare of the country.

She also directed them to discharge their responsibilities by maintaining confidence in the senior leadership, mutual trust, brotherhood, dutifulness and discipline.

Spelling out her government steps for the development and modernisation of the armed forces, the Prime Minister said her government has framed the National Defence Policy and the Forces Goal-2030 in the light of the 1974 Defence Policy enacted by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"We are implementing various programmes in line with the Defence Policy and the Forces Goal by keeping ahead the goal of development, expansion and modernisation," she said.

The PM said during the tenure from 1996-2001, her government established and reformed one infantry brigade, one composite brigade, Special Works Organization, one armoured unit, three infantry units, two artillery regiments, one riverine engineer battalion, two engineer construction battalions and one support and transport battalion.

In continuation of this development, she said, important organisations like NDC, BIPSOT, AFMC, MIST and NCOs Academy have been established for modernisation of Bangladesh Army and make time-befitting its training standard.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Centre has been established for development of the Infantry Regiment and bringing dynamism in it. Besides, she said, programmes for procuring arms with developed technologies have been undertaken which are ongoing.

The Prime Minister said her government has taken all possible realistic programmes for the development of Bangladesh Army. "We have already established 17 Infantry Division in Sylhet and one infantry brigade headquarters and two infantry battalions under the division," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said one composite brigade comprising two infantry battalions and one engineering construction battalion has been established for security and supervision of the Padma Bridge Project.

She said the headquarters of the 10 Infantry Division and brigades and units under the division have been built in Ramu of Cox`s Bazar district.

"We have implemented massive programmes for raising operational capacity of the army. Adequate numbers of APCs, ARVs, battle tanks-2000, helicopters and other arms and equipment have already been purchased for the army," she said.

In the same way, she said, massive programmes have been executed for modernisation of Bangladesh Navy and Air Force.

The Prime Minister said the main goal of the Armoured Corps, the senior most corps of the army, is to destroy the arrogance of enemy force in the war and this force plays an important role in snatching the victory by overpowering the enemy in the war.

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the Armoured Corps through 30 T-54 tanks which were got as a gift from the then Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

The Prime Minister said most modern MBT-2000 tanks have been inducted in the Armoured Corps, while a plan for formation of two more armoured regiments is in our consideration.

Besides, she said, a process for upgradation of the old tanks of the corps has already begun to make those tanks time-befitting.

The Prime Minister said every member of the Bangladesh Army is dedicated towards protecting the country`s sovereignty.

"As the members of corps, you will have to keep operative the valuable war equipment by its taking care side by side with developing your practical knowledge through training," she said.

Congratulating the members of the 12 Lancer of the Armoured Corps for earning the National Standard, Sheikh Hasina said the country achieved this national flag in exchange for the blood of millions of martyrs.

"You have earned rare honour by achieving the national flag. So you will have to always uphold the honour of this flag," she said.

Later, she planted a sapling of "Jaitun" tree on the occasion.