US to deliver more advanced equipment to Bangladesh military

The US will provide Bangladesh with unmanned air vehicle, patrol boats and hull boats over the next year to help the country conduct UN missions and defend its sovereignty.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said this while speaking at the Defence Services Command and Staff College about the US foreign policy and its implications on Bangladesh on July 30.

"Over the next year we expect to deliver the highly capable Blackjack UAS [drones], 35-foot SAFE Patrol Boats, and additional Zodiac Rigid Hull Boats," said Haas.

The US helps build Bangladesh's capabilities primarily through grant programmes such as Foreign Military Financing and the Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative, he added.

Haas described the US's vision in Bangladesh in terms of five general goals, which include supporting a peaceful and stable Bangladesh, promoting democracy and human rights, boosting economic prosperity, providing humanitarian protection, and building a socially and environmentally resilient Bangladesh.

The US diplomat said they are committed to ensuring that the Indo-Pacific region remains free, open, peaceful, and secure.

To this end, the US military regularly works with the Bangladesh military to strengthen defence readiness and to reinforce partnership between our military forces at every level, he noted.

The US has provided Bangladesh with numerous new military equipment to support the Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations units. The US provided Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armoured vehicles and bomb robots, frigates like the Somudra Joy and Somudra Avijan, and four C-130B aircrafts.

Peter Haas said the US is ready to provide Bangladesh with more advanced capabilities through Foreign Military Sales when the time is right.

He said they are encouraged that Bangladesh's Indo-Pacific Outlook declares Bangladesh's vision for a "free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific for the shared prosperity for all."

"There is much in the Outlook that overlaps with our own vision for the Indo-Pacific," said Haas.

Noting how democracy is the cornerstone of Biden's foreign policy, he said democracies do a better job of protecting human rights and generating and sustaining prosperity than other forms of governance.

"This goal is particularly relevant as we look to the upcoming national elections," he said, clarifying that the US does not favour any political party, and that it expects free and fair elections are held in accordance with international standards.

"Ensuring free and fair elections is everyone's responsibility. From the Election Commission to the government, from the media to law enforcement agencies, from the civil society to the political parties, everyone has an important role to play."

Talking about harassment of civil society and media, as well as violent clashes at political rallies, he said, "It is important for everyone to respect the rule of law and to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation."

Referring to the visa policy announced by the US in May, he said it is to support Bangladesh's stated goal of free and fair elections.

"The visa restriction policy will affect any individuals that attempt to impede a free and fair election."