Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Defence Advisor, Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, PSC, delivered a significant address at the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) in Mirpur, urging young military officers to play a proactive role in defending Bangladesh in the modern era.
In his speech titled “Defending Bangladesh in the Current Age – Role of Young Officers”, the Defence Advisor emphasised patriotism, the changing character of warfare, the importance of preserving national history, and the urgent need for technological self-reliance.
Addressing the young officers undergoing graduation at MIST, Brigadier General Shamsul Islam paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of 1971. He highlighted the declaration of independence by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and stated, “This country was not born as an ordinary state. It emerged through the unparalleled blood and sacrifices of lakhs of young boys and girls.” He also recognised the spirit of the July 2024 Mass Uprising, noting that the Armed Forces stood by the people on both occasions — in 1971 and in 2024. He called upon the officers to view 1971 and July 2024 not as contradictory events, but as complementary chapters in Bangladesh’s national journey.
The Defence Advisor warned that the nature of war has fundamentally changed. “The era of trenches and tanks is over,” he said. Modern warfare now encompasses cyber space, drones, electronic warfare, information operations, and psychological battles. “A country can be attacked without a formal declaration of war. Its financial systems, critical infrastructure, public opinion, and youth can be targeted through disinformation,” he added.
He stressed that technically proficient young officers are the need of the hour. “Officers must master both maps and machines, tactics and technology. The future battlefield demands multi-domain thinking,” he remarked.
Highlighting MIST’s strategic importance, the Defence Advisor said the institute should evolve beyond producing graduates into a hub of defence technology innovation. “We cannot buy everything from abroad. We must develop low-cost drones, secure communication systems, AI-assisted tools, cyber defence capabilities, and advanced command-and-control systems through our own resources,” he urged. He added that the government is giving high priority to indigenous defence research and industrialisation.
The Defence Advisor also spoke firmly against religious extremism, sectarianism, and forces trying to create division within the country. “Islam came to enlighten lives, not to darken them. Extremism is not strength — it is imbalance,” he said. He called upon the young officers to act as guardians of Bangladesh’s history and to resist any attempt to distort the sacrifices of 1971.
On the same day, Brigadier General Shamsul Islam also delivered a special lecture on nuclear security titled “Nuclear Security: National Responsibility Under International Commitment and Its Implications on National Security” at MIST’s Nuclear Security and Engineering Department. He described nuclear security as not merely a technical issue but a matter directly linked to national security, international obligations, and state responsibility. He praised the Bangladesh Army’s role in securing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and called for enhanced preparedness against cyber threats, terrorism, and emergency situations.
After the lectures, the Defence Advisor visited various project displays by MIST students, including robotics and drone technologies, and praised their innovative spirit. MIST Commandant Major General Md. Hakimuzzaman, SGP, ndc, afwc, psc, thanked the Defence Advisor for his valuable guidance.
Analysts view the speech as a clear policy directive aimed at instilling strong nationalist spirit, technological excellence, and moral integrity among the next generation of military officers. By repeatedly highlighting the slogan “Bangladesh First”, the Defence Advisor has underscored the need for unbreakable bonds between the Armed Forces and the people of Bangladesh.