Dhaka, April 23 -- The Army chief has linked gaps in Bangladesh's air defence capability to the scale of the Rohingya crisis, saying stronger military presence in key coastal zones could have altered its course.

On Thursday, speaking at the National Defence College's "Capstone Course 2026/1" closing ceremony, General Waker-Uz-Zaman said limited military preparedness, including air power constraints, carries wider strategic consequences beyond war scenarios.

He urged participants to engage more deeply with the armed forces, saying national institutions must be better understood by policymakers, academics and professionals.

Waker said Bangladesh Navy remains crucial for protecting trade routes, pointing to the country's dependence on imp...