Decision to purchase Chinese fighter jets commendable
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
The decision to purchase advanced J-10C fighter jets from China cannot be viewed merely as an isolated aspect of military equipment or air defense assessment. It must be viewed as part of a deeper geopolitical and strategic decision to strengthen Bangladesh’s national security and military deterrence. National security is a multidimensional and broad concept. National security does not refer only to the physical protection of territory or the size of the armed forces or military equipment. Its scope equally includes economic security, energy security, international trade and the economy and environmental balance. However, a highly sensitive and integral component of this comprehensive security framework is military deterrence capability.
Globally, a state’s military power plays a direct role behind its commercial, social and geostrategic bargaining. The reason the decisions of major global powers create a certain obligation to comply with them on the global stage is that their economic strength is accompanied by formidable military power. Even many small and medium sized states receive considerable respect from their opponents in the global political arena because of their strong military deterrence capabilities. When a state can develop at least a visible and influential military deterrence system, its bargaining power or leverage in international relations, diplomatic negotiations or any multilateral organization including the United Nations increases many times over.
Looking at Iran’s military strategy provides an excellent example of this reality. Despite facing intense hostile international political and social pressure, economic sanctions and direct threats from the world’s leading military powers for decades, Iran has not only survived but has established itself as a decisive player at international and regional diplomatic and political negotiating tables. This success is not accidental. Rather it is the result of its long term and specific military strategy and deterrence system.
In Bangladesh’s context our goal is not to become a global superpower overnight. That is also not possible given our current economic or geopolitical realities. But to make national security sustainable and effective we must ensure certain strategic military platforms and technologies that will influence the psychological calculations of any potential hostile opponent and provide Bangladesh with bargaining opportunities at the international level.
Many people go beyond professional analysis and make the simplistic claim that in modern warfare air bases or runways would become inoperable within a few hours or one or two days. Such statements are not only short sighted but also demonstrate an immature understanding of modern strategies in the international defense system. Military survival or demonstrating capability on the battlefield does not depend only on a few specific physical assets. It depends on a well-planned long-term strategy, geography and cohesive national unity.
In Iran’s case they knew that it would be difficult to establish resistance on flat terrain against the intensity of airstrikes or technology. As a result, they developed entirely new military infrastructure and networks underground and underwater. To address the risk of potential losses among the top leadership they adopted a decentralized command system or mosaic strategy. In other words by analyzing the types of potential threats facing them they developed a fully customized or tailored deterrence strategy.
For Bangladesh too this self-realization and the development of a defense system suited to our own circumstances are extremely important. Purchasing J-10C fighter jets from China is undoubtedly a highly positive decision for modernizing our air force and increasing our air defense capabilities. But simply purchasing modern weapons from the international market does not achieve the ultimate goal of defense. In the long term we must focus on the indigenization of our domestic capabilities.
Our country has some specific strategic assets of its own. For example we have a large population and nearly 98 percent of the people share the same ethnic and linguistic identity. Many countries around the world do not have such characteristics. This type of social homogeneity can be used as one of the main foundations of defense strategy. At the same time we must properly analyze our geographic position and the potential sources of security risks across our borders.
Any international negotiating table is not merely a military table. It is also a table for protecting economic, diplomatic, commercial and geostrategic interests. When negotiating with an opponent if your military defense infrastructure is weak their tone and the way they impose conditions will be one way. But if you have modern technological platforms in your hands that are at least sufficient and capable of delivering a specific counterstrike then the opponent’s tone and behavior at the negotiating table clearly changes.
From that perspective the decision to purchase Chinese fighter jets is strategically commendable. However this should not be considered the final destination. Instead we must continue a progressive and institutional process to increase our own military technology and strategic self reliance. Only then will it be possible to strengthen and preserve Bangladesh’s territory, sovereignty and overall national security in the long term.
Author: Security analyst and retired Major General
