Bangladesh Eyes Expansion of Drone Fleet as Bayraktar TB2 Sparks Regional Tensions with India

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Probably impressed with the performance of Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones and their effective deployment by the Bangladesh Army, there are now reports suggesting that the Bangladesh Navy is considering acquiring these same drones for operational use.

The acquisition, which would allow the Bangladesh Navy to monitor the Bay of Bengal and counter emerging maritime threats, is seen as a strategic move to enhance the country’s naval capabilities in a geopolitically sensitive region.

Sources close to the matter have disclosed that the Bangladesh Navy’s aviation wing is eyeing the Bayraktar TB2, which has already proven its worth with the Bangladesh Army.

Beyond the standard Bayraktar TB2, the Navy is also exploring the acquisition of a more advanced variant capable of operating from shorter runways, adding flexibility to its operations from naval vessels or smaller airbases.

The Bayraktar TB2, designed and manufactured by Turkey’s Baykar Technology, is one of the most advanced Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones available today.

Originally developed for operations from the TCG Anadolu, Turkey’s first drone carrier, this drone can be deployed for a wide range of missions, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, and precision strike capabilities.

The introduction of the Bayraktar TB3 variant, which is capable of launching and landing on shorter decks, underscores the versatility and strategic depth of these UAV systems.

 

At the same time, the Bangladesh Army has confirmed that it is expanding its fleet of Bayraktar TB2 drones, acquiring a total of 12 units from Turkey.

Six of these drones have been operational since 2023, with another batch of six expected to join the ranks shortly.

These drones are not only instrumental in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions but also play a crucial role in precision offensive operations, enhancing Bangladesh’s military capability in both conventional and asymmetric warfare.

The strategic importance of the Bayraktar TB2 drones in Bangladesh’s defense architecture was solidified just a year after Pakistan acquired similar drones for use near its contested border with India.

For Bangladesh, these UAVs are framed as a defensive asset, despite the growing concerns among neighboring countries about the implications of their use in the region.

India, in particular, has voiced concerns about the presence of these drones near its border with Bangladesh.

Indian military officials have made it clear that any UAV operating within 10 kilometers of the border will be deemed a violation of airspace, with the potential for defensive action.

“We have the capability to track and shoot down any drone or object that violates India’s airspace,” a senior Indian military official stated, referring to the perceived threat posed by such drones, especially if used for ISR operations near sensitive border areas.

The Bayraktar TB2 drone, identified by its transponder TB2R1071, was detected flying near the border in Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, areas known for their strategic importance.

The drone, reportedly launched from Tejgaon Air Base in Dhaka, was engaged in routine surveillance operations by the Bangladesh Army’s 67th Division.

This triggered an immediate response from Indian radar systems, which tracked the drone flying at high altitudes, far beyond the visual range.

“This drone flew at a very high altitude, making it invisible to the naked eye,” explained an Indian security official, confirming that the presence of the drone was detected by Indian Air Force (IAF) radar.

“The IAF will raise this issue with the Bangladesh authorities,” the official added, highlighting the ongoing tensions related to drone operations along the border.

This incident is not an isolated one.

Indian security sources noted a pattern of increased drone activity near the West Bengal border, a situation that has become more frequent as Bangladesh expands its drone fleet and surveillance capabilities.

With the region’s security dynamics shifting, especially amidst political instability in Bangladesh, the presence of these drones near the border is seen as an emerging challenge to regional stability.

Although the drones have not violated Indian airspace, their proximity to the border has raised alarm within India’s defense establishment.

With rising tensions in the region, the Indian government is being pressed to adopt proactive measures to safeguard its airspace and deter any further drone incursions.

India’s bilateral relations with Bangladesh have been deteriorating since the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, following large-scale protests.

The shift in leadership, with the current administration under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has led to increased diplomatic friction, particularly over issues of extradition and regional security.

India’s response to the growing ties between Bangladesh and China has become particularly sensitive, especially given China’s strategic interests in the region.

Amid this backdrop, India has taken significant steps to bolster its defense posture along the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, or “Chicken Neck.”

This narrow land passage links India’s northeastern states with the rest of the country, making it a critical vulnerability in India’s defense architecture.

The deployment of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system and Rafale fighter jets to the region underscores the significance of this area in India’s broader security strategy.

The increased military presence, including the positioning of a Rafale fighter squadron at Hashimara Air Base, is a direct response to perceived threats from both China and Bangladesh, which have ramped up air activities near the Siliguri Corridor.

This region, historically regarded as a weak point in India’s defenses, has been the focus of heightened security measures, particularly in light of the increasing military cooperation between Bangladesh and China.

China’s growing influence in Bangladesh, particularly under the leadership of Yunus, has further strained relations with India.

Reports suggesting that Bangladesh is considering the establishment of an airbase in Lalmonirhat, with Chinese support, have only intensified these concerns.

Given the location’s proximity to the Siliguri Corridor, such a development would significantly impact India’s strategic calculations in the region, raising the stakes in an already volatile security environment.

As of April 2025, unverified reports suggest that Bangladesh may be moving forward with this proposal, which could shift the regional balance of power.

If realized, this airbase could become a new center of strategic rivalry between India and Bangladesh, with wider implications for the geopolitical landscape of South Asia.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA