Navy deal sparks uproar over Israeli tech links
NN Desk :
A tender issued by the Directorate General of Defence Purchase (DGDP) for procuring IT equipment for the Bangladesh Navy has sparked controversy due to its explicit preference for Israeli software – despite the country’s longstanding trade restrictions with Israel.
On 12 December 2024, the DGDP floated a tender titled “Establishment of Data Centres and Backbone Networking” to acquire IT equipment for the Navy’s key bases in Dhaka and Chittagong, as well as for naval vessels, according to a report published by The Mirror Asia.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) explicitly mentioned Check Point-an Israeli cybersecurity brand-alongside Cisco as a preferred choice, raising legal and ethical concerns.
Check Point, headquartered in Ramat Gan, Israel, is owned by Israeli entrepreneur Gil Shwed, as stated on its official website.
The consultancy for the project was awarded to Prime Net, an IT company with no prior experience in complex network design. Sources indicate that the then-Director (IT, Navy) played a key role in securing this procurement deal, which is estimated to cost Tk 200 crore.
Several bidders formally and informally objected to the tender’s brand-specific criteria, arguing that it compromised the competitive bidding process. Despite these objections, the authorities have yet to issue an official response.
The deadline for submitting tenders expired on 20 February 2025, with five local bidders participating – three of whom reportedly submitted proposals incorporating Israeli technology.
This development has reignited concerns over previous allegations that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had secretly facilitated the procurement of Israeli spyware Pegasus and other surveillance tools.
Although Bangladeshi regulations prohibit trade with Israel, government funds were allegedly used to acquire these technologies to suppress opposition voices and dissidents.
Hasina’s administration has faced repeated accusations of violating international human rights laws, with the use of such surveillance tools believed to have contributed to her downfall.
In this context, scrutiny is mounting over the Bangladesh Navy’s latest procurement decision and whether similar technologies are being discreetly acquired under defence contracts.
As concerns grow, transparency in defence procurement remains a critical issue, raising questions about national security, legal compliance, and accountability within the military establishment.