Threat from India? Bangladesh deploys France’s advanced airspace surveillance system in Dhaka to…
Bangladesh has officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art radar and navigation system along with an Air Traffic Management Centre (ATMC) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. The new system, named the Thales Ground Master 403M radar, is designed to significantly enhance the country’s air traffic control capabilities and strengthen its air defence surveillance network.
The launch comes at a time when diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India are reportedly under strain, particularly over political developments involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Developed by French defence company Thales
According to The Daily Star, the radar system has been developed and installed by the French defence and electronics company Thales. The system is capable of detecting and tracking all airborne objects entering Bangladesh’s airspace.
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The company claims that the new infrastructure will substantially improve Bangladesh’s surveillance capacity and overall national security.
The contract for the project was signed in 2019 and the system was delivered in 2025. The total cost of the project is reported to be around 942 crore Bangladeshi Taka.
Capability and surveillance range of the system
Bangladesh Air Force Air Commodore Nur-e-Alam stated that the ATMC will operate 24/7 to ensure safe landings, take-offs and efficient airspace management.
He further explained that the new radar system is capable of monitoring flights up to 350 nautical miles (approximately 650 km) from Dhaka. This coverage is integrated with the Chattogram radar system for expanded surveillance.
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Additionally, the system can maintain communication with aircraft flying up to 450 nautical miles (around 833 km) over the Bay of Bengal, significantly extending Bangladesh’s aerial monitoring reach.
Strategic concerns in the region
The deployment of this advanced radar system has also raised strategic discussions in the region. Reports suggest that it could potentially monitor air movements over India’s northeastern states, which are considered highly sensitive from a security standpoint.
There are also concerns that it may be capable of tracking Indian Air Force operations in nearby areas.
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Another key point of attention is the Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the ‘Chicken’s Neck.’ This narrow land strip, located in West Bengal, is about 20-22 km wide and roughly 60 km long and connects India’s northeastern states with the rest of the country. Due to its strategic importance, any enhanced surveillance capability in the region is being closely watched.