Turkey's Bangladesh arms deal poses ‘unwelcome’ challenge to India, warn analysts

A landmark defence deal by Turkey, which will see it sell the SIPER long-range air defense system to Bangladesh, will be a strategic headache for India,  analysts claim. As per the defence deal, Dhaka will acquire the SIPER long-range air defense system and potentially co-produce Turkish combat drones.

While the decision is reflective of Dhaka’s resolve to move away from its giant neighbours - India and China-, the deal, for Turkey, is all about projecting power.

Md Obaidullah, a Bangladeshi analyst and a visiting scholar at Daffodil International University, Dhaka, claims that the Turkish decision to sign the pact is “a new and unwelcome strategic headache” for India. In an article that appeared in Asia Times, Obaidullah argues that the Turkish decision to go for the weaponry is necessitated by the civil war raging in neighboring Myanmar has literally spilled across the border. He then justifies the sale, stating that Bangladesh’s vulnerability is compounded by the ever-present shadow of India. “While the relationship is somewhat stable, no military planner in Dhaka can ignore the overwhelming qualitative and quantitative superiority of the Indian armed forces,” he wrote in Asia Times.

Turkish media too hailed the move as something that would “corner India”, adding that Bangladesh has previously added Turkish defense products, including Bayraktar TB2 armed UAVs, TRG-300 missile systems, COBRA-II armored vehicles , and BORAN howitzers, to its inventory.

Another Turkish website called it a “near-perfect solution” to Bangladesh’s problems.  A report that appeared in TRHaber said the combination of the medium-range HİSAR-O+ and the long-range SİPER system not only fills the gaps but also involves building a modern, integrated air defense shield from scratch.

“By including Turkey, a powerful NATO member with an independent stance, in its inner circle, Dhaka is increasing its influence with all other partners. This sends a clear message that Bangladesh will not fall under anyone's control,” the report added.

This isn’t the first attempt by Turkish media to drag India into the conflicts in the region. A report that appeared on a conservative news website Yeni Akit ran a piece accusing India and Israel of engaging in a “silent but profound coup” in the region against Turkey and Pakistan.

 

Middle East