The US military buildup in Bangladesh’s strategic Chittagong region will strengthen Bangladesh’s armed forces, according to Global Defence Corp, which aims to foster security ties between the two nations.
Bangladesh is one of the recipients of the U.S. excess defence articles. Bangladesh received drones, Hamilton-class cutters, and armoured vehicles from the US. Bangladesh also purchased Lockheed’s C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from the US and UK as excess defence articles. The United States was also instrumental in creating a special operations force for the Bangladesh Navy and regularly trains Bangladesh naval officers.
A C-130J Super Hercules, a tactical transport aircraft typically based at the US Air Force’s Yokota station in Japan, recently landed at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong.
U.S. Air Force, Bangladesh Air Force and Sri Lanka Air Force launched Pacific Angel 25-3 at BAF Zahurul Haque, Chittagong, beginning a four-day field training exercise designed to strengthen disaster response, humanitarian assistance and regional partnerships Sept. 15, 2025.
In August 2025, the United States and Bangladesh have concluded Tiger Shark, a bilateral military exercise designed to enhance regional security cooperation, improve interoperability, and build mutual capacity between the armed forces of both nations.
Analysts cited by the publication said the visit appeared linked to growing US involvement in the Bay of Bengal area, which lies near Myanmar. Washington is trying to stabilise the region while China is trying to court Myanmar’s Junta, the report added.
The Arakan Army (AA) creates problems for Bangladesh by destabilizing the border with Myanmar’s Rakhine State, leading to a continuous influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh and straining its resources. The AA’s control over border territories, including the Naf River, has created humanitarian challenges and restricted aid, while also leading to increased conflict and potential anti-Rohingya sentiment. The situation is further complicated by the presence of rival Rohingya armed groups and the AA’s oppressive actions in conquered areas, making the repatriation of refugees a distant prospect.
Since Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed power in Dhaka, the US military has made frequent stops in Chittagong, ranging from reconnaissance trips to joint drills. Earlier this year, Bangladesh and the United States conducted exercises codenamed Operation Pacific Angel-25 and Tiger Lightning-2025 in the same zone.
Sources quoted by the outlet revealed that another joint training mission is on the cards, following the arrival of a contingent of US soldiers in the area last week. Last month, a US Special Forces officer was found dead in an upscale hotel in Dhaka, further expediting cooperation between Bangladesh and the U.S. and creating unease within India about an expanded American footprint outside scheduled cooperation.
Global Defence Corp believes Washington’s involvement in the current government will strengthen democracy in Bangladesh, as pro-Indian dictator Sheikh Hasina fled to India. Hasina was under the impression that the US was pushing for a naval base in St Martin’s Island, located in the Bay of Bengal. On the contrary, the U.S. is trying to arm Bangladesh with modern weaponry to counter the Myanmar junta and stabilise the region.
© 2025, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
