Strategic Maritime-Air Defense in the Bay of Bengal: Bangladesh’s Comprehensive Security Architecture

The Bay of Bengal represents a vital maritime crossroads for Bangladesh, where over 90% of its trade flows through sea routes and approximately 25% of global traded goods traverse these waters. As traditional and non-traditional security challenges converge in this strategic waterway, Bangladesh’s comprehensive maritime-air defense architecture emerges as a critical framework for protecting its vital interests. In his commentary, BIPSS Research Intern Zoheb Ahnaf Tibro has tried to explore Bangladesh’s strategic maritime-air defense architecture in the Bay of Bengal, analyzing current capabilities and future requirements.

The analysis examines the convergence of traditional and non-traditional security challenges, while highlighting Bangladesh’s efforts to modernize its naval and air defense capabilities. It also assesses the nation’s multi-domain operations architecture, technological integration initiatives, and strategic partnerships. Special attention is given to the economic implications of maritime security and institutional frameworks needed to protect Bangladesh’s vital maritime interests in an increasingly contested region.