The government will procure PP-91 Pontoon Equipment and 30MM AGS-30 automatic grenade launcher system for Bangladesh Army from Russian Federation.
These defense equipment and special weapons and ammunition will be bought under the Government-to-Government (G to G) arrangement utilizing the Russian state exports credit facility, official sources said.
In January 2013, Russia, the World’s second-largest weapons exporter, granted a $1 billion loan to Bangladesh for purchase of arms and military hardwares made in that country.
The deal was signed in Moscow during a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“The defense purchase has already got approval in principle of the Prime Minister’s Office. It has also formed a high powered committee comprising concerned ministry officials for negotiation with the Russian counterparts in this regard,” a Defense Ministry official told The New Nation on condition of anonymity.
The purchase will be completed in the fiscal year 2017-18, he added.
The 2X Half Sets of Pontoon PP-91 and 966X Automatic Grenade Launcher AGS-30 with 30MM High Explosive Grenades Carry Forward will be purchased.
The PP-91 pontoon equipment is designed to set up ferry and bridge crossings to move military materiels and other cargo across water obstacles.
The 30mm AGS-30 second generation automatic grenade launcher system (6S9) is a weapon boasting a unique maneuverability, a high firepower, and a long range of fire.
The grenade launcher may be mounted on a tripod or a turret, or used as part of a remotely controlled weapon system, mounted on various combat vehicles, according to military journals.
The Bangladesh Air Force is also finalizing a deal with Rosoboronexport for the purchase of Mikoyan MiG-35 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft from Russia.
The multi-billion dollar defence deal with the Russian defence export agency will be the largest in Bangladesh’s defence purchase.
