Prime Minister Tarique Rahman Urges Merit-Based Promotions for Navy and Air Force Officers During Selection Board Inauguration

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed promotion boards to elevate naval and air force officers based strictly on professional competence, leadership qualities, discipline, integrity, and loyalty, rather than political ideology or personal preferences. Addressing the inauguration of the Navy and Air Force Selection Board-2026 at the Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment, the Prime Minister emphasized that operational suitability must remain the paramount criteria for advancement within the armed forces.

The Prime Minister lauded the Bangladesh Navy and Air Force for their contributions to national sovereignty, internal security, and their ongoing role in assisting civil administration during natural disasters. He extended his gratitude to the service chiefs and personnel for their dedication to national interests.

Opening his remarks, Prime Minister Rahman paid tribute to the late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He also acknowledged the sacrifices of those who fought for independence in 1971, as well as the students and citizens who participated in the 2024 mass uprising, alongside all martyrs of democratic movements throughout the nation’s history.

Following the formal proceedings, the Prime Minister inspected several key operational facilities. He inaugurated the Air Defense System Integration (ADSI) at the Air Defense Operations Center in Dhaka Cantonment, where he reviewed various air defense protocols.

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At the Air Command Operations Center (ACOC), the Prime Minister viewed a digital display simulation of air defense operations, including the interception of hostile aircraft and a live feed of troop deployment via helicopter, relayed from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Chittagong. He further toured the Aerospace Research and Development Complex, where he evaluated the Air Force’s indigenous research initiatives.

During the exhibition of domestically produced drone technologies—including kamikaze, interceptor, and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) systems—the Prime Minister expressed optimism regarding the progress of the Air Force in achieving technological self-reliance through research and innovation.

Upon his arrival at the venue, the Prime Minister was received by his Defense Advisor, Brigadier General (Retd.) A K M 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 military officials, including the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division and the Defense Secretary, accompanied the Prime Minister during his tour of the operational installations.