Bangladesh Army's main battle tank MBT-2000 during
Victory Day 2012 parade. (Source chinesemilitaryreview)
18, December 17, 2012, armyrecognition.com
Bangladesh Army has started introduction of the fourth-generation China-made MTB-2000 main battle tanks procured through outright purchase, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Thursday, december 13, 2012. "This is the first time our army is getting such new and ultramodern tanks, all bought with our own funds," she announced during an induction ceremony of the Army Aviation Group area at Tejgaon. Eight of these tanks could be seen at the ceremony.
Bangladesh has placed an order for 44 of these MBT-2000 main battle tanks that closely resembles the Al Khalid tanks in the service of the Pakistan army since 2001. The deal is worth $162 million.
"This will further enrich the armoured corps of Bangladesh…Military power will increase. That is why this is a unique day for the nation," the Prime Minister proudly claimed.
Analysts say this represents a significant purchase for a country with a 2011 defense budget of $1.6 billion. This is the first time Bangladesh has obtained newly assembled Main Battle Tanks (MBTs).
Its army has around 200 older-generation Chinese tanks , which have been upgraded in phases with Beijing's assistance to keep them in service.
The Banglades army also inducted a Weapon Locating Radar LLC-2 during the ceremony.
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