Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 28th January 2026, 12:44 AM
In a move to bolster law enforcement ahead of the upcoming national elections, the Bangladeshi government has approved the direct procurement of 163 vehicles for the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The vehicles will be supplied by the state-owned Pragati Industries Limited, ensuring timely delivery and enhanced operational readiness.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Economic Affairs held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, chaired by Finance Advisor Dr Saleh Uddin Ahmed.
The 163 vehicles include a mix of utility and passenger options designed for various operational requirements:
| Vehicle Type | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep | 3 | Command and patrol operations |
| Petrol Pickup | 100 | Rapid response and transport |
| Microbus (AC) | 60 | Personnel movement and field deployment |
Originally, the procurement was planned through an open tender system. However, given the urgency of maintaining law and order during the election period and the need to enhance the RAB’s operational efficiency, the government opted for direct purchase, bypassing the time-consuming tendering process.
The Advisory Committee also approved several other key procurements for the fiscal year 2025–26, including:
| Item | Supplier | Quantity | Unit Price | Total Cost (BDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LNG Cargo | Aramco Trading (Singapore) | 5 shipments | – | – |
| Granular Urea Fertiliser | Fertiglobe Distribution (UAE) | 40,000 MT | USD 410/MT | 201.23 crore |
| MOP Fertiliser | JSC Foreign Economic Corporation (Russia) | 35,000 MT | USD 352.93/MT | 151.57 crore |
| Refined Soybean Oil | Super Oil Refinery Ltd & Shabnam Vegetable Oil | 1 crore litres | 185.95 & 185.90 BDT/L | 185.93 crore |
| Masur Lentils | KBC Agro Pvt Ltd | 10,000 MT | 70.96 BDT/kg | 70.96 crore |
| Research Vessels & Speed Boats | Khulna Shipyard Ltd | 1 small research vessel, 2 speed boats | – | 161.71 crore |
The procurements reflect a broader strategy to strengthen state capabilities across security, agriculture, and scientific research. Notably, the direct acquisition of RAB vehicles and research vessels from local suppliers such as Khulna Shipyard Limited is expected to reduce delivery delays and support national preparedness in both security and environmental monitoring.
Officials emphasised that the vehicle purchase will enable RAB to maintain rapid deployment capabilities, effective patrolling, and smooth law enforcement operations, particularly during the sensitive election period. Meanwhile, the approved import of fertilisers and food commodities aims to stabilise agricultural production and ensure food security.
The government’s combined strategy of direct procurement and targeted imports demonstrates a proactive approach to operational readiness, economic efficiency, and timely service delivery across multiple sectors.
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