Merit, integrity to guide military promotions
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for greater professionalism and merit-based decision-making in the armed forces, instructing selection boards to ensure that promotions are determined by competence, integrity and operational suitability rather than political ideology or personal preferences.
He made the remarks on Sunday while inaugurating the Navy and Air Force Selection Board-2026 at Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment, stressing that transparent and objective personnel decisions were essential to maintaining discipline, trust and professionalism within the armed forces.
The Prime Minister directed members of the selection board to give priority to officers’ professional competence, leadership ability, discipline, integrity, trustworthiness, loyalty and, above all, their suitability for operational responsibilities.
The directive comes as the government seeks to strengthen institutional professionalism and good governance by placing merit and performance at the centre of decisions concerning the country’s defence services.
On arrival at the venue, Tarique was received by his Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Khandaker Misbah-ul-Azim and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan.
Senior officials of the armed forces, including the Defence Adviser, the chiefs of the Navy and Air Force, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division and the Defence Secretary, were present during his inspection of key operational installations.
In his address, the Prime Minister said the Bangladesh Navy and Air Force were playing important roles not only in protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty but also in maintaining internal peace, order and stability and supporting the civil administration during disasters.
“Alongside discharging their duties to safeguard the country’s independence and sovereignty, the Bangladesh Navy and Air Force continue to make significant contributions towards maintaining internal peace, order and stability, as well as assisting the civil administration in disaster management,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to members of the Navy and Air Force, from the service chiefs to personnel at all levels, for their sacrifices and service to the country.
At the beginning of his speech, Tarique paid tribute to martyred President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
He also recalled the sacrifices of those killed during the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 mass uprising, as well as those who were killed or injured during movements for democracy and human rights between 1971 and 2024.
He also paid tribute to the freedom fighters, wounded veterans and martyrs of the Liberation War, particularly members of the armed forces, including those from the Navy and Air Force.
Following the address, the Prime Minister inspected several key operational facilities of the Bangladesh Air Force.
He unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the installation of the Air Defence System Integration (ADSI) at the Air Defence Operations Centre in Dhaka Cantonment and inspected its newly inaugurated air defence operations.
Tarique also visited the Air Force’s Air Command Operations Centre (ACOC), where he observed fighter aircraft intercepting simulated enemy aircraft through the centre’s digital large display.
He also watched a helicopter-based troop landing operation through a live feed from an unmanned aerial vehicle operating from Chattogram.
He later visited the Air Force Aerospace Research and Development Complex and reviewed its research activities.
During the visit, the Bangladesh Air Force showcased several types of unmanned aerial vehicles developed through its own technological capabilities, including drones, kamikaze drones, interceptor drones and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) systems.
The Prime Minister also observed a quadcopter flight demonstration.
Tarique expressed hope that the development of modern aerial systems through indigenous technological capabilities would mark a significant step forward for the Bangladesh Air Force in research, innovation and technological self-reliance.
The Prime Minister’s emphasis on objective selection criteria also underlined the importance of professional standards, institutional integrity and merit-based career progression in strengthening the armed forces.
