Bangladesh is establishing its second ordnance production centre at Faujdarhat in Sitakunda, Chattogram, with plans to meet domestic demand before exporting surplus arms and ammunition. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman outlined the defence-industry plan on Thursday during a land and facilities transfer agreement ceremony between Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation and the Bangladesh Army.

The facility will be developed as an expansion of Bangladesh Ordnance Factories on about 55 acres of land and structures formerly used by the long-closed Jalil Textile Mill. It is intended to produce military equipment for the army, navy and air force, as well as police, Ansar-VDP and other security and paramilitary forces. The army chief said reliance on imported arms and ammunition alone would not be sufficient for conducting war.

The site was selected for its surrounding hills, proximity to Chattogram seaport, and road and rail links. The cabinet committee on economic affairs gave in-principle approval on 1 July to transfer the land to the army at a symbolic price. Officials said export ambitions would require modern technology, skilled personnel, research, international-standard production and strict quality control.