Recently, Dhaka and Tokyo have been discussing potential defense cooperation, marking the development of a new chapter in their bilateral history. According to one news report, they have “reached an understanding in principle to sign an agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technology.”
For Japan, this should enhance the security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, not just Bangladesh. And it brings a new dimension to Bangladesh’s foreign policy.
Japanese military equipment manufacturers have shown interest in selling arms to Bangladesh for several years. Meanwhile, a delegation of Japanese military equipment manufacturers has visited Bangladesh.
Japan requested Bangladesh to sign the agreement during a foreign secretary-level meeting between the two countries held in Dhaka last June.
The United States has also been negotiating with Bangladesh for several years to sign specialised defence pacts – the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). So far, Bangladesh has expressed interest in signing GSOMIA.
All three branches of the armed forces – the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, and Bangladesh Air Force – along with the foreign ministry have expressed no objections to the agreement.
Under this pending agreement, Tokyo is to be empowered to supply military equipment and share technologies with Dhaka. The deal is based on a memorandum of cooperation signed in 2023, which promises joint research and capacity-building in areas such as maritime surveillance and cybersecurity, as well as hardware transfers.
This development has occurred at a time when Japan is seeking to take a more influential role in global dynamics, and Bangladesh is diversifying its military procurement. It’s worth examining the treaty’s strategic calculations and the likely implications.
Not all foreign aid is the same. While official security assistance refers to military development-based projects, official development assistance broadly denotes social and economic development projects.
Bangladesh is already deeply linked with Japanese ODA, with only a shallow link observed in OSA. However, Japan’s vigilant focus on OSA – which rose from approximately US$13.8 million in 2023 to US$34.6 million in 2024 and is expected to reach about US$56 million for the 2025 fiscal year – highlights a potential opportunity in Japan-Bangladesh defense relations.
Tokyo’s vision for Indo-Pacific
Tokyo’s vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) encompasses the northern rim of the Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal, where Bangladesh is a key stakeholder. Its higher maritime capabilities help secure the sea lines of communication, but these capabilities require regional stability.
The greater the presence of Japanese ships and advanced systems in the Bay of Bengal, with the collaboration of Bangladesh, the more Dhaka’s fortified position will be established in the northern rim of the Indian Ocean.
Beyond security development, Japan can accelerate its partnership in manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology transfer, boosting its soft power and connectivity with Bangladesh. Their defense cooperation, like defense equipment supply and joint research, gradually connects Bangladesh with Japan, showcasing a fresh dynamic in the Bay of Bengal area.
Beijing is Dhaka’s primary supplier of military equipment. Bangladesh was the second-largest recipient of Chinese arms exports (approximately 11%) from 2019 to 2023, during which China accounted for over 70% of Bangladesh’s arms imports.
However, Dhaka is reshaping its military procurement policy, focusing on Japan, Russia, China, Turkey, Pakistan, and others, to connect with all parties, advancing towards a policy of “reaching out to everybody.” Tokyo’s willingness to sign a formal defense agreement fits into that policy.
Future preparedness and cybersecurity
The next fight won’t be confined to guns and traditional weapons. Coastal radar, sensors and communications will play significant roles. The defense agreement between Japan and Bangladesh will enhance Bangladesh’s capabilities to exert better surveillance in the Bay of Bengal area, on the eastern edge of the Indo-Pacific region.
Although less publicised, cybersecurity is an effective means of fostering closer relations between Japan and Bangladesh. As South Asia is prone to experiencing cyber threats, Japanese support fortifies Bangladesh in soft security development.
However, in the long run, it increases China’s dependency on Japan in many aspects, including satellite monitoring, data encryption, government systems, and financial institutions, raising concerns for China and other stakeholders due to security concerns about their information.
This agreement not only elevates Bangladesh’s prestige but also helps secure Bangladesh’s supply chain (accounting for 90% external trade and 100% of energy import) through the Bay of Bengal Area. It enhances Dhaka’s maritime domain awareness, scales up the capability to monitor ship movements and guards its exclusive economic zone.
Although concerned, India also sees advantages in the Japan-Bangladesh defense treaty, as Japan is deeply aligned with India’s policy through the QUAD, bilateral and multilateral interest sharing, and Indo-Pacific policy determination. Ultimately, Bangladesh’s diversification of its dependency beyond China is good for India.
Furthermore, the US is also eager to retain its military procurement share in Bangladesh due to Dhaka’s geopolitical advantages; however, the high cost and Bangladesh’s limited experience with US military equipment make it tougher to establish an immediate link. Bangladesh’s involvement with Japan, a member of the QUAD, could help alleviate the US’s geopolitical concerns.
In summary, this new agreement complicates China’s long-standing influence on Bangladesh’s military equipment procurement, eases concerns for India and the US, and aligns Bangladesh with Japan.
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