Despite calls by US politicians and Human Rights Watch to exclude members of the Bangladesh Army and police from the UN Peacekeeping missions, accusing them of violating human rights, the United States has continued providing Bangladesh with numerous new military capabilities to support the Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations units.

This assistance comes through grant programs such as Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, and the Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative, and the US insists that Bangladesh strike the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) without delay. The US is ready to provide Bangladesh with more advanced capabilities through Foreign Military Sales.

In the recent past, the US provided Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles and bomb robots that help protect Bangladesh’s peacekeepers, and frigates like the Somudra Joy and Somudra Avijan, and four C-130B aircraft.

Moreover, under grant programs, the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard have received three different types of patrol boats to help them protect the territorial waters of Bangladesh.

Last year, the US delivered small Unmanned Aerial Systems to the SWADS and Para Commandos and provided these special operations units with modern weapons, ammunition, body armor, advanced radio systems, and first aid equipment.

What weapons will Bangladesh get from US next year?

Over the next year, the US hopes to deliver the highly capable Blackjack UAS, 35-foot SAFE Patrol Boats, and additional Zodiac Rigid Hull Boats. These systems will help Bangladesh conduct UN missions and defend its sovereignty.

Moreover, the US special operations units continue to provide training to the SWADS and Para Commandos through the Tiger Shark series of joint exercises.

The two armies exercise together through Tiger Lightning, air forces through Cope South, and navies through the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training CARAT exercise.

Moreover, the US is also lobbying for Exxon Mobil to help it secure 15 offshore blocks through unsolicited bids. So, forget about democracy, human rights and fair elections!