US to hold 3 joint military drills with Bangladesh

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - The US and Bangladesh will hold three joint military exercises this year as part of deepening bilateral defense cooperation, the US Embassy in Dhaka said in a statement on Sunday.

“These efforts help to make the US and Bangladesh stronger, and the region safer,” the statement said.

The joint activities include Exercise Tiger Lightning, Exercise Tiger Shark 2025, and Exercise Pacific Angel. The drills aim to strengthen the countries’ shared security interests and expand interoperability, according to the US mission.

For the fourth consecutive year, Bangladesh and US forces will conduct Tiger Lightning, which focuses on counterterrorism, peacekeeping, jungle warfare, medical evacuation, and improvised explosive device (IED) response training.

Tiger Shark, part of the Flash Bengal series, involves joint combat training between the two countries’ special forces units.

Pacific Angel will highlight the role of US C-130 aircraft, known for their use in disaster relief, airdrop support, and air mobility operations. The exercise will also help enhance Bangladesh’s capacity to respond to humanitarian disasters.

Separately, the US is working with the Bangladesh army and navy to introduce the RQ-21 unmanned aerial system. The capability is intended to help Bangladesh monitor its maritime domain, secure borders, and support peacekeeping missions.

The embassy did not provide specific dates for the exercises.

In March, US Army Pacific Deputy Commanding General Lt. Gen. Joel P. Vowell visited Bangladesh to advance military ties.