Bangladesh Follows Pakistan’s Path, Moves to Acquire Turkish Cirit Laser-Guided Missiles Amid Rising Tensions with India

Dhaka: Amid escalating tensions with India and Myanmar, Bangladesh has begun significantly strengthening its military preparedness. The Bangladesh Air Force is set to procure Cirit semi‑active laser‑guided missiles from Turkey, signaling a major upgrade in its precision strike capabilities and raising strategic concerns in the region.

According to defense sources, Bangladesh plans to build a stockpile of “smart” laser‑guided munitions, including multi‑purpose warheads capable of destroying armored vehicles and mobile ground targets with high accuracy. The Cirit missile system, developed by Turkish defense firm Roketsan, is designed to bridge the gap between unguided 70‑mm rockets and expensive anti‑tank guided missiles, offering a cost‑effective yet lethal solution for modern warfare.

Growing Military Cooperation with Turkey

Bangladesh’s growing defense partnership with Turkey mirrors Pakistan’s long‑standing military relationship with Ankara. Since the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government and under the interim leadership of Muhammad Yunus, Dhaka’s strategic alignment with Islamabad appears to be deepening. Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, sees South Asia as a lucrative defense export market and has actively expanded arms sales across the region.

Bangladesh has already inducted Bayraktar TB‑2 armed drones from Turkey, which are reportedly used for surveillance along the Indian border. Defense analysts note that while the Bangladeshi Ministry of Defence has formally issued a tender, the selection of the Turkish Cirit weapon system is widely seen as a foregone conclusion.

Capabilities of the Cirit Missile System

The Cirit missile is capable of engaging both stationary and moving targets from air‑to‑surface and surface‑to‑surface platforms. It has been tested on attack helicopters, armed drones, and ground launch systems, making it highly versatile. Turkish forces have successfully integrated the missile with T‑129 ATAK attack helicopters, the same platform Bangladesh is now seeking to acquire.

According to reports, the Bangladesh Air Force is in advanced negotiations to purchase at least six T‑129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey. Once inducted, these helicopters—armed with Cirit missiles—would significantly enhance Bangladesh’s strike capability, particularly in difficult terrains.

Strategic Implications for India

Defense sources claim that with the Cirit missile system, Bangladesh could effectively target positions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, a region bordering India’s Northeast. Analysts believe this acquisition is part of a broader effort by Dhaka to project military autonomy and assert itself as a regional power in South Asia.

In addition, Bangladesh has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring fourth‑generation Eurofighter Typhoon jets, further indicating its ambition to modernize its air force and reduce dependence on traditional suppliers.

Regional Stability at Stake

While Bangladesh maintains that its military modernization is purely defensive, the timing and nature of these acquisitions—amid strained relations with India—have raised concerns among regional security experts. The expanding Turkey‑Pakistan‑Bangladesh defense axis could alter the strategic balance in South Asia, especially along sensitive border regions.

As military procurement accelerates and diplomatic ties remain tense, observers warn that increased militarization without parallel diplomatic engagement could further destabilize an already fragile regional security environment.