Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force; Ministry of Home Affairs: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansars, Village Defense Party (VDP) (2021)
note: the Rapid Action Battalion, Ansars, and VDP are paramilitary organizations for internal security
Burmese Defense Service (Tatmadaw): Army (Tatmadaw Kyi), Navy (Tatmadaw Yay), Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay); People's Militia; Border Guard Forces; Ministry of Home Affairs: People's Police Force (2021)
note: the Burmese military controls the People's Militia, Border Guard Forces, and the Ministry of Home Affairs
Military service age and obligation
16-21 years of age for voluntary military service; Bangladeshi nationality and 10th grade education required; officers: 17-21 years of age, Bangladeshi nationality, and 12th grade education required (2018)
18-35 years of age (men) and 18-27 years of age (women) for voluntary military service; no conscription (a 2010 law reintroducing conscription has not yet entered into force); 2-year service obligation; male (ages 18-45) and female (ages 18-35) professionals (including doctors, engineers, mechanics) serve up to 3 years; service terms may be stretched to 5 years in an officially declared emergency (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP
1.3% of GDP (2019)
1.3% of GDP (2018)
1.2% of GDP (2017)
1.4% of GDP (2016)
1.4% of GDP (2015)
2.7% of GDP (2019 est.)
2.9% of GDP (2018 est.)
3.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
3.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
4.1% of GDP (2015 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
information varies; approximately 165,000 total active personnel (135,000 Army; 15,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force) (2021)
information varies widely; approximately 400,000 total active troops (est. 360,000 Army; 20,000 Navy; 20,000 Air Force) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the Bangladesh Defense Force inventory is comprised of mostly Chinese and Russian equipment; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to Bangladesh; Bangladesh is currently undertaking a significant defense modernization program, with a focus on naval acquisitions (2020)
the Burmese military inventory is comprised mostly of older Chinese and Russian/Soviet-era equipment with a smaller mix of more modern acquisitions; since 2010, China and Russia are the leading suppliers of military hardware; Burma has a limited defense industry, including a growing shipbuilding capability (2020)
