Formulate defence policy urgently

The army wants the government to mobilise more resources for its modernisation, formulate a defence policy without delay, and replace the decades-old weaponry with new ones over the next 10 years.
In a report submitted to the parliamentary standing committee on the defence ministry yesterday, it also seeks organograms for its temporary units.
The parliamentary body agrees on the need for having a defence policy as soon as possible, said committee members.
“In absence of a defence policy, everything is being done on an ad hoc basis,” committee Chairman M Idris Ali told reporters after a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
He said the committee has already asked the defence ministry and the Armed Forces Division to place a draft policy for discussion at the next meeting.
The army report contains a set of suggestions on how to strengthen the force. Identifying financial constraints as the key problem, it notes that because of insufficient funding the army could not yet start replacing the outdated weaponry.
“Once the defence policy is finalised, it will be much easier to equip the forces with cutting-edge weapons and technology,” observed Idris, also ruling Awami League lawmaker.
Replying to a query, he said the committee has yet to recommend increasing the budgetary allocations for the army.
Currently, the defence expenditure is around 3.9 percent of Tk 99,962 crore national budget (FY 2008-09), he added.
The army report mentions a growing shortage of officers at various units within the army. It said 20 percent of the officials are engaged in the UN missions.
Referring to Forces Goal 2020, a set of goals outlined in 2004 for modernisation of the army in congruence with the country's economic realities, it says accomplishing those will help plug the army's organisational shortcomings and raise its operational capacity.
Bemoaning the lack of funds making the targets harder to attain, it says the government should approve Forces Goal 2020 in principle, committee sources said.
The committee chairman said they have asked the navy to come up with a report on its present situation at the next meeting.
At yesterday's meeting, the committee also discussed demarcation of maritime boundary and disputes with neighbouring countries over the issue.
“Bangladesh Navy does not have the capacity to collect data required to strengthen our maritime boundary claims. So, we recommend procuring a hydrographical survey vessel,” said the committee chief, adding that the purchase might cost around Tk 100 crore.
Besides the committee members, chiefs of three services attended the meeting.