Overview of Tear Gas Shell Public Procurement
In Bangladesh's public procurement system (PMS), tear gas shells are a non-lethal crowd control item procured by security agencies such as Bangladesh Police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). CS gas (2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile)-based tear gas shells account for the largest share of demand, and they are often purchased alongside smoke shells and rubber ammunition as part of a broader non-lethal equipment package.
Bangladesh is estimated to procure 50,000 to 100,000 tear gas rounds annually, with an annual procurement value of roughly USD 3-5 million. Korean defense companies such as Korea Hanwha, SY Innotec, and Daehan Machinery have relevant capabilities in tear gas and other non-lethal systems. Exports can be pursued through two channels: open tendering through the PMS system and government-to-government (G2G) arrangements.
Product Types and Technical Specifications
Tear gas shells are divided into several types, including hand-thrown, launcher-fired, and smoke variants. Bangladeshi security agencies typically use a mix of formats depending on the operating scenario, and PMS tenders often bundle multiple shell types within a single procurement package.
| Type | Specification | Deployment Method | Effective Range | Duration | Procurement Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-thrown CS shell | 150g CS gas | Manual throw | 30-50m | 30-60 sec | 40% |
| 37mm launcher-fired CS shell | 100g CS gas | Launcher | 100-150m | 20-40 sec | 25% |
| 40mm launcher-fired CS shell | 120g CS gas | Launcher | 150-200m | 30-50 sec | 20% |
| Smoke shell | Smoke composition | Manual / launcher | 50-100m | 60-120 sec | 10% |
| Sting ball | CS + rubber fragments | Thrown | 20-30m | Immediate | 5% |
Procurement Channels and Tender Procedures
Because tear gas shells are treated as controlled security equipment, they are procured through procedures that differ from ordinary public purchases. Open PMS tenders remain possible, but government-to-government transactions are generally preferred for defense items. Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Bangladesh's defense and security authorities already have a foundation for bilateral defense cooperation, which supports use of the G2G route. Since the Korean government can back quality and pricing under this framework, Bangladeshi buyers tend to place greater trust in G2G deals, and the award probability is often higher than under full international competition.
Market Entry Strategy for Korean Defense Suppliers
Tear gas shells remain a core non-lethal capability for Bangladeshi security agencies, creating a relatively stable annual procurement market in the USD 3-5 million range. Korean defense suppliers can differentiate themselves from Indian and Pakistani products through higher quality standards and the credibility of a G2G channel. A broader non-lethal equipment package can further increase order value while aligning with police modernization demand in Bangladesh. The opportunity is meaningful, but it should be pursued through a disciplined process that combines DAPA support, KOTRA market access, export-license preparation, and strict compliance with international norms.