Bangladesh set to sign defence purchase deal with Japan
Bangladesh is set to sign an agreement with Japan to procure defence equipment with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who holds the defence portfolio, having already given his consent.
Japan had earlier proposed a bilateral agreement to facilitate the transfer of defense equipment and technology. The proposal received no objections from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In response to feedback from Bangladesh, Japan revised its initial draft and has now resubmitted the agreement for final approval.
Defense ministry officials highlighted the friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan, which extend to their armed forces. For years, Japanese defense manufacturers have expressed interest in supplying military equipment to Bangladesh, and a delegation from Japan recently visited the country to explore opportunities.
The proposal was formally raised during a foreign secretary-level meeting between the two nations held in Dhaka last June.
While Bangladesh considers the Japanese offer, it is also engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States to finalize specialized defense agreements, including the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). So far, Bangladesh has shown interest in GSOMIA.
Currently, China and Russia serve as Bangladesh's primary arms suppliers, with additional imports from neighboring India. However, the nation’s growing financial capacity has attracted interest from other countries, including Italy, Türkiye, Sweden, and France, which have also shown eagerness to supply defense equipment.
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