RAB to Buy 167 Vehicles and Consider Name Change to SRB
Bangladesh authorities are moving to procure 167 new vehicles for the elite force at a cost of nearly 120 crore taka. Alongside the vehicle acquisition, a process is underway to rename the Rapid Action Battalion to the Special Response Battalion.
Authorities in Dhaka have undertaken a significant initiative to expand and modernize the operational fleet of the Rapid Action Battalion, commonly known as RAB. According to confirmed administrative details, the comprehensive procurement plan involves adding a total of 167 new vehicles to the law enforcement agency's existing transport pool to enhance its mobility and operational readiness across the country.
The financial outlay for acquiring these 167 vehicles is estimated to be approximately 120 crore taka. This major procurement initiative follows earlier administrative approvals within the government system. Specifically, the official Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase had previously reviewed and approved a proposal during the month of May concerning the acquisition of 163 vehicles for the force.
The broader logistical expansion involves multiple state entities working in coordination, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Police Headquarters, and Pragati Industries Limited. Within the approved vehicle frameworks, the historical and planned fleet distributions encompass various specialized transport units. These have previously accounted for significant numbers across historical allocations, such as 3,145 units, 668 units, 256 units, 89 units, 7 units, and 943 units, alongside respective financial allocations totaling 1,033 crore 98 lakh taka, 207 crore 18 lakh taka, and 827 crore 10 lakh taka.
The specific vehicular lineup approved across various stages of the procurement includes 50 patrol pickups, 44 air-conditioned microbuses, 50 patrol cars, 3 dog vans, 10 trucks, 3 jeeps, 2 recovery vehicles, 1 mobile workshop vehicle, and 4 riot vans. The total cost for a distinct segment of these procurements has been officially recorded at 122 crore 27 lakh taka under specific administrative arrangements.
In tandem with the substantial vehicular fleet expansion and logistical upgrades, the government has also initiated a formal process to alter the identity of the elite security force. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Jাহিদুল করিম and related institutional stakeholders are navigating the administrative steps required to officially change the name of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to the new designation, 'Special Response Battalion (SRB)'.
