Defence policy as a subject has been constantly topical, more so in the last few weeks with some newspapers running series of articles on the issue. It has been topical primarily because, not unnaturally, defence evinces considerable interest in this part of the world, where resource-strapped countries are constantly struggling with the econometrics of the defence and security management

It would perhaps be incorrect to suggest that we do not have a defence policy. But the one we have has not been publicly articulated, at least those parts that would allow the people to understand as to what and how the armed forces in Bangladesh go about fulfilling their responsibilities.

It is not surprising that we did not have a defence policy from the very outset of our journey as a free country, although it would have been nice to have had one. But there are good reasons that we could not have a policy after our Liberation. Given the circumstances of our birth and the period that followed, it would have been asking too much of the leaders to propound comprehensive strategic policies much less a defence policy. That was a time when we were struggling to keep our body and soul together, having to survive on a day-to-day basis. And although there were perhaps the appropriate intellectual resources, there was not the time or the environment to formulate a policy on our defence. For good part of the thirty-five years of our existence, we have remained in a state of flux, emerging from one crisis only to be cast into another.

Another reason why there was no effort to formulate a policy at the seminal stages of our existence is perhaps the fact that there were considerable misgivings about the military, and many, including some in the government, questioned the rationale behind having a standing army when there existed no apparent threat to Bangladesh. With such a mindset, a workable and objective guideline to base our defence on was wholly unexpected. However, I feel that this in itself was all the more compelling reason to put in place a policy that would have provided the basis for the future structure of our armed forces.

Formulation of a defence policy would of necessity require us to identify our threats, both external and internal, and articulate the tasks of the armed forces in meeting the threats or challenges that the country is facing or likely to face. And to my mind, our leaders have been either unwilling to state the threats or unable to identify the threats (which I find unbelievable), that face the country, and that is one of the reasons why we have not been able to evolve a defence policy as yet.

But after thirty-five years of existence there are no convincing arguments for not having a defence policy for Bangladesh. Although many would perhaps prefer to continue with the way that we have followed so far, i.e. go on in an ad hoc basis.

To say that we need a defence policy, of sorts, is stating the obvious. But having one would help us to get rid of ad hoc-ism in our defence planning and all activities that are associated in running the defence forces. It would also help us to formulate long and short term plans. It would also help us to save on lot of uneconomic expenditures if our defence plans were pegged on future perspectives. Thus, it would be easier to provide for the defence requirements without it becoming a burden on the country's economy. What a defence policy will also be able to do, although no one can guarantee that in Bangladesh, given the typical mindset and unique attitude of our political leaders, is continuity in the planning process, without being regime-dependent like most of our activities.

In the past we have suffered from lack of defence planning due to absence of any higher direction. This has resulted in ad-hocism not only in allocation but also in capital expenditure. Threat evaluation and assessment of our military requirements have been unfortunately left entirely to the military operatives. Evaluation, if any, had been influenced by individual and individualistic perception, divesting such assessment of objectivity.

Absence of a defence policy is one of the reasons for the "defence vs development" or the "guns vs butter" debate that is going on in the country. While a healthy debate on the subject is not unwarranted, lack of direction and specifics about the armed forces generate unnecessary speculation that can be avoidable. This has naturally compelled many to question the shape and size of the military.

But before we can determine the shape and size of our armed forces, we shall have to determine their likely tasks. This will be possible only after a realistic threat assessment is carried out to crystallise the various scenarios that the armed forces may be employed in. Admittedly, assessment of threat would be a subjective exercise since perception of threat would vary from time to time, person-to-person, and even political party to political party. Be that as it may, the Armed Forces must be organised and equipped to meet the worst-case scenario.

For this a strategic threat assessment will have to be done at the highest national level from which will evolve the National Security Policy. Defence Policy would stem from National Security Policy and directives in the shape of possible tasks of the respective services must be articulated for them to determine their needs to accomplish the stipulated tasks. This will obviate ad hoc-ism and bring in the culture of long term and forward planning, something that we lamentably lack.

One is given to understand that a committee led by a two-star general is in the process of determining the inputs required in formulating a defence policy. It is about time too. The defence forces must be told what the state expects of them and what they are required to perform to ensure the integrity of the country. It was about time that an objective assessment of threat was made to determine the sources.

However, to be plagued by a mindset that is predisposed to only the external sources of threat without looking into the possible sources of threat from within would be catastrophic.

The author is Editor, Defence and Strategic Affairs, The Daily Star.