BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed his vision for a professional and strong military, free from political influence, in line with the party's defence policy outlined during the announcement of its election manifesto.

Speaking at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka this afternoon, Tarique emphasised the need to maintain the armed forces' integrity by keeping them out of controversies.

"If we truly want to build a strong military, we must focus on professionalism, and it is essential to keep them free from any political influence."

Tarique, eldest son of former army chief and president Ziaur Rahman, also reiterated the party’s commitment to introducing the “One Rank, One Pension” (OROP) policy for retired military personnel, aiming to enhance the welfare of veterans.

In line with its national security goals, BNP plans to build a self-reliant “Made in Bangladesh” defence industry to meet the needs of the armed forces. This initiative aligns with the party’s broader vision of bolstering the country’s military capabilities and ensuring sustainable security, says the manifesto.

According to the manifesto, BNP believes a modern, professional, and strong military is crucial for ensuring the country’s safety, particularly in the context of national sovereignty, regional stability, and the evolving global security landscape.

Additionally, BNP aims to build a self-sufficient, four-dimensional military force capable of protecting national sovereignty and maintaining credible deterrence capabilities.

Key areas of focus include multi-domain warfare, the strengthening of land, naval, and air forces, and fostering domestic research and development in military technologies.

The manifesto also emphasizes the importance of a strong air force for national security.

BNP considers the development and enhancement of the air force's capacity as a “nationally important” matter and plans to expedite the process through a fast-track approach.