Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Tuesday clarified that the government has not made any decision regarding the procurement or sourcing of defence equipment, stressing that recent steps only involved allocating land for possible domestic production.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the Economic Affairs Committee, Fouzul Kabir said Bangladesh already maintains a regular defence procurement process for its army, navy and air force, and there has been no change to that practice.
“Bangladesh has an established defence system and continues to procure equipment as required. Nothing new has been decided in this regard,” he said.
The adviser explained that the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority’s (BEZA) recent move should not be misinterpreted as a signal of imminent defence purchases or partnerships with any specific country.
“The allocation of land was solely to allow for the possibility of local production in the future. It does not mean that equipment will be procured from any particular nation,” he said.
His remarks followed speculation surrounding the planned establishment of a defence industrial zone and reports suggesting potential purchases of fighter jets or other military hardware from Pakistan or elsewhere.
Addressing those reports, Fouzul Kabir said no decisions have been taken on whether Bangladesh would collaborate with Pakistan, Türkiye, China or any other country for defence manufacturing.
“I attended the BEZA meeting myself. The only matter discussed was land allocation—nothing beyond that,” he added.
When asked whether the initiative could help lower defence costs amid ongoing energy challenges and high import expenses, the adviser declined to draw any conclusions, saying it was too early to comment.
“I prefer to speak only on issues where I have confirmed information,” he said.
He reiterated that there is no immediate plan to manufacture fighter aircraft, drones or other defence equipment, nor any shift in defence procurement policy.
Any future decisions, he said, would follow proper procedures and be announced officially once finalised.
Meanwhile, BEZA has announced plans to establish Bangladesh’s first Defence Industrial Zone in Mirsarai, Chattogram.
At a press briefing on Monday, BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said the zone would be developed on around 850 acres of land to support production for both domestic use and export.
