Bangladesh’s military is placed 57th among 133 countries on the basis of their global military prowess.
According to the Global Fire Power Index 2017, the US was ranked first, followed by Russia, China, and India while Pakistan ranked the 13th while Myanmar 31th on the list of 133 countries.
France, Germany, the UK, Japan and Israel are among top 15 countries.
The report also gives details which can provide a comparison among the militaries of Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, and India.
However, the report did not take into consideration the strategic forces of any country such as nuclear firepower.
The report cites that Bangladesh’s defence budget is $1.59b as against China’s $161.7b, India’s $51b, Myanmar’s $2.4b and Pakistan’s $7b.
According to the index, Bangladesh has an active military comprising 160,000 personnel while India has 13,62,500, China 37,12,500 and Pakistan 637,000.
Bangladesh Air Force has a total of 166 aircraft. Of them, 45 are fighter aircraft, 45 attack aircraft and others.
Neighbouring India has 2102 aircraft, China 2955, Myanmar 249, and Pakistan has a total of 951 aircraft.
According to the report, Bangladesh Army has a total of 534 combat tanks, 942 armoured fighting vehicles, 18 self-propelled artillery guns, no-towed artillery guns and 32 rocket projectors.
The report added that China owns a total of 6,457 combat tanks, India 4426, 592, while Pakistan has a total of 2924 tanks, which is way more than what Bangladesh owns.
The report also said Bangladesh has a total of 89 naval assets. The country owns six frigates, four corvettes, 28 patrol craft, five mine warfare vessels but has no aircraft carriers, destroyers and submarines — elements that contribute to its maritime strength, reports UNB.