ISPR has issued a rejoinder protesting the report titled "Tk 1,117cr Army Project Under Fire Over Irregularities" published in The Daily Observer on June 15, 2026. Following is the rejoinder:
Bangladesh Army has taken note of the report titled "Tk 1,117cr Army Project Under Fire Over Irregularities" published in The Daily Observer on 15 June 2026. While constructive discussion on matters of national importance is always welcomed, the report contains a number of inaccuracies, assumptions and incomplete interpretations regarding one of the procurement efforts of Bangladesh Army in FY 2025-26 on production of Communication Equipment through Transfer of Technology (ToT) with L3Harris, USA. In the interest of presenting factual information, the following clarifications are offered.
Bangladesh Army has been pursuing the implementation of a Transfer of Technology (ToT) for communication equipment since August 2023. Detailed proposals were invited from eligible Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) through authorized representatives. These proposals were subjected to a comprehensive technical, operational and cost-benefit evaluation by a duly constituted Board of Officers headed by a senior Army officer. The offered radio systems underwent extensive assessment, including field trials in the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) and other operational environments. Based on overall operational performance, technical superiority, competitive pricing, technology transfer provisions and support relating to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), L3Harris, USA was selected over a number of other OEMs through a rigorous evaluation process. The proposal was subsequently processed and approved in accordance with the established Defence Procurement procedures. Furthermore, an internationally accepted standard bidding period of four weeks was provided by Directorate General of Defence Purchase (DGDP), thereby refuting any suggestion that the tender process was conducted within an unusually short timeframe.
It is pertinent to mention that the project has progressed strictly in accordance with the established procurement procedures of Bangladesh Army, the DGDP and the Armed Forces Division. The proposal has also undergone due scrutiny by the Ministry of Defence. Accordingly, all relevant procedural, technical, financial, operational and administrative aspects of the project have been examined through the appropriate institutional and governmental mechanisms.
The report also raises questions regarding the alleged involvement of Marksun Co Ltd. This claim is factually incorrect. Marksun Co Ltd has no involvement whatsoever in the Bangladesh Army's ToT project with L3Harris, USA. Following the established rules of procurement, Bangladesh Army only deals with the OEM/ Principal and his authorized local representatives in Bangladesh for any procurement. Consequently, any concerns regarding the credentials, technical capability or business profile of any other third party are entirely irrelevant to the project under discussion.
In contrast, Angikar International is an enlisted supplier of DGDP and the duly authorized representative of L3Harris in Bangladesh. The company participated in the procurement procedure following exiting rules and regulations. Angikar International is also serving as the local representative for the ongoing Night Vision Monocular (NVM) ToT project of Bangladesh Army.
The report suggests that the project is merely an expensive assembly operation rather than a genuine technology transfer initiative. This manifestation does not at all reflect the nature of modern defence-industrial technology transfer programmes. Technology transfer is implemented through a phased approach and the current project has been designed to commence with the Semi Knocked Down (SKD) phase, whereby equipment modules are assembled locally to develop technical expertise, infrastructure and quality assurance capability. The project roadmap envisages progression to Complete Knocked Down (CKD) capability and eventually indigenous production. Therefore, the current assembly phase should be viewed as the foundation for long-term self-reliance rather than an end state in itself. Bangladesh Army has also obtained written guarantee from both the Government of the United States and L3Harris regarding support of future plan of the project for the development of indigenous communication equipment capability on completion of CKD phase.
The report further questions the cost-effectiveness of the project and implies that the proposed infrastructure does not justify the overall project value. Such an assessment presents only a shallow understanding about nature of such types of modern projects. The physical footprints in such modern projects has been significantly reducing over the time. Furthermore, the project cost encompasses not only physical infrastructure but also specialized production and testing equipment, calibration facilities, technical documentation, software support, technology transfer arrangements, quality assurance systems, training programmes, maintenance capability development and human resource development. Consequently, the value of the project cannot be measured solely in terms of the physical footprint of production facilities.
The report also expresses concern that the project may increase long-term dependencies on foreign suppliers. In fact, the project has been conceived specifically to reduce such dependencies. At present, Bangladesh Army relies heavily on foreign OEMS for communication equipment and associated technical support. The project aims to develop indigenous capability in key areas, including assembly, component-level repair and maintenance, software development, encryption technology, waveform development and human resource development. The project also aims to obtain IP rights of the new tactical radios, thereby enhancing self-reliance in military communications.
The report further questions the proposed location of the facility within a cantonment area which demonstrates a lack of understanding about national security concerns. The production and maintenance of military communication equipment that includes encryption systems constitute a defence-industrial activity involving sensitive technologies and operational considerations. Accordingly, such facilities are required to be located within secure and controlled environments to ensure the protection of national security interests. It is most appropriate to establish such facility inside secured premises of cantonment.
Bangladesh Army remains firmly committed to transparency, accountability and the prudent utilization of public resources. The project with L3Harris represents a significant step towards developing indigenous military communication capability and enhancing operational effectiveness, communication security and technological self-reliance. Like all strategic capability-development initiatives, the project is being implemented through a carefully planned and phased approach in accordance with established procedures and national priorities.
While constructive scrutiny is welcome, public discussion of strategic national projects should be guided by verified facts and a sound understanding of defence procurement. Speculation, inaccurate assumptions and unsubstantiated claims risk creating a misleading narrative and may undermine an important national initiative aimed at strengthening the country's long-term defence capability.
As a reputed newspaper, The Daily Observer is expected to uphold high journalistic standards. Therefore, seeking clarification from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate prior to publishing such reports would help to ensure accuracy and avoid potential misunderstanding. The Bangladesh Army firmly believes in objective journalism and the freedom of information.
However, media outlets are strongly urged to verify the authenticity of facts through the ISPR before publishing any report regarding sensitive defence projects of national importance, says the ISPR rejoinder signed by Mr. Rashadul Alam Khan, Assistant Director, ISPR.
