Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday called on members of the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force Selection Boards to make promotion decisions strictly on the basis of professional competence and merit, keeping political ideology as well as personal likes and dislikes out of the assessment process.

Prime Minister said officers should be evaluated with particular emphasis on their professional expertise, leadership abilities, discipline, integrity, loyalty and overall suitability for the appointments they may be considered for.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the 'Navy and Air Force Selection Boards 2026' at the Bangladesh Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony said the selection boards will assess eligible Bangladesh Navy officers holding the ranks of Captain, Commander and Lieutenant Commander for promotion.

Bangladesh Air Force officers serving as Group Captain, Wing Commander and Squadron Leader will also come under consideration.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force have responsibilities that extend beyond protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty.

According to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the two forces also play an important role in assisting the civil administration in maintaining internal peace and stability and in dealing with disasters.

PM Tarique Rahman thanked the chiefs and personnel of both services for their contributions and sacrifices in serving the country.

While addressing the Selection Boards, Prime Minister paid tribute to late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also recalled with gratitude the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, those who were killed during the 2024 student-led mass uprising and all people who were killed or injured in different movements between 1971 and 2024 while fighting for democracy and the rights of the people.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid tribute to the martyrs, wounded freedom fighters and all valiant freedom fighters of the Liberation War.

He particularly remembered the fallen members and other servicemen of the Armed Forces, including personnel of the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force, saying that the nation would remember their sacrifices with enduring gratitude.

Earlier, Prime Minister was received at the venue by Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan.

Prime Minister formally opened the Navy and Air Force Selection Boards-2026 before visiting several important operational and research facilities of the Bangladesh Air Force at its headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment.

Prior to inaugurating the selection board, Prime Minister adorned the newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff with the rank badge of Admiral and congratulated him on his appointment.

The Chief of Naval Staff conveyed his sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on behalf of the Bangladesh Navy.

He also sought Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s valuable advice and guidance for further transforming the Bangladesh Navy into a more modern, capable and time-responsive force.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Defence Adviser, the chiefs of the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force, and the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division were present at the badge-adornment ceremony.

Later, PM Tarique Rahman visited the Air Defence Operations Centre (ADOC), where he unveiled the inaugural plaque of the Air Defence System Integration (ADSI) and reviewed various activities of the country’s air defence system.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman then visited the Air Command Operations Centre (ACOC).

At the centre, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman observed simulated fighter aircraft interception operations and a helicopter troop insertion operation through a digital large display. The helicopter operation was supported by a live feed from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The Prime Minister subsequently visited the Aerospace Research and Development Complex (ARDC), where he observed the facility’s research and development activities.

During the visit, several indigenously developed unmanned aerial vehicles were displayed, including drones, kamikaze drones, interceptor drones and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) systems. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also watched a quadcopter flight.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed the hope that developing advanced aviation systems through the Bangladesh Air Force’s own technological capabilities would contribute significantly to research, innovation and technological self-reliance.

The Defence Secretary and senior military officials were present during the Prime Minister’s visit to the Bangladesh Air Force headquarters and its operational and research facilities.