The two-day (26-27 January 2026) Bangladesh-United States 9th Land Forces Talks (LFT) 2026 successfully completed at the Dhaka Army Sports Control Board’s conference room on 27 January 2026.
The two-day meeting was conducted as part of the next program of the 9th Land Forces Talks (LFT) held in the United States on 8-10 September 2025. The meeting was attended by army delegates from both countries and fruitful discussions on various important issues aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation.
A 22-member delegation participated in the discussion on behalf of Bangladesh, led by Lt. Colonel Mohammad Badrul Haque, SPP, AFWC, PSC, Engineers. On the other hand, Michael Jacob Oster of the U.S. Pacific Army Command (USARPAC) Security Cooperation Department. Brigadier General Md. Humayun Kabir, SUP (Bar), SPP, NDC, PSC, MPhil, was present at the opening and closing ceremony.
In this discussion session, both parties discussed in detail about military cooperation, efficiency increasing and strategic cooperation. The discussion focuses on exchange of training between both parties, increasing advanced technology and military equipment capabilities and mutual cooperation. In particular, detailed discussion about arranging multiple joint training and rehearsal and innovative training methods to enhance military capability.
Representatives reiterate their interest to strengthen ongoing strategic cooperation between the military of both countries. Both parties agree to making significant contributions to regional security measures and taking effective steps to combat natural and human-made disasters. The discussion focuses on technical support and preparation in tackling various global challenges, which will play a key role in maintaining regional peace and security in the future.
Note, Bangladesh-US 8th Land Forces Talks (LFT) was held earlier in October 2024.
The United States gives foreign assistance to provide humanitarian aid and support peace, security, and economic development to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is considered a lower-middle income country, according to the World Bank classification system. There are 46 lower-middle income countries that received aid, getting 54.2% of US foreign aid provided to individual countries in FY 2024. Bangladesh ranked #8 among the lower-middle income countries in terms of aid received, between #7 Zambia ($584.8 million) and #9 Zimbabwe ($428.7 million). In FY 2024, $572.5 million in foreign aid was committed to Bangladesh.
Bolstering Defense Ties
The US government will provide the Bangladesh Armed Forces with more weapons and equipment to help defend its sovereignty, former US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter Haas has announced.
The new defense hardware will support UN peacekeeping and other missions in Bangladesh.
“Over the next year, we expect to deliver the highly capable Blackjack UAS [unmanned aerial system], 35-foot SAFE patrol boats, and additional Zodiac rigid hull boats,” Haas disclosed.
According to Haas, the US is one of the major countries to help boost Bangladesh’s defense capabilities through foreign military aid.
The US military regularly works with Bangladesh to strengthen its defense readiness and fortify their partnership, he said.
He added that the US has five goals for its Asian ally, including supporting a peaceful and stable nation, promoting democracy and human rights, and providing humanitarian protection.
Among the equipment delivered by the US to Dhaka were frigates, mine-resistant armored vehicles, drones, assult rifles, tactical gears, and four C-130B tactical transport aircraft.
The U.S. wants to donate Lockheed-built surveillance radar and General Atomics MQ9B SeaGuardian to strengthen Bangladesh’s maritime deterrence capability valued at $150 million once Bangladesh sign GSOMIA with the U.S.
Former Bangladesh’s dictator Sheikh Hasina turned down $150 million military aid in favor of India and weakened the Bangladesh military. However, Indonesia accepted the same military aid from the U.S. to strengthen maritime security.
“This past year, we also delivered small UAS … [and] provided special operations units with modern weapons, ammunition, body armor, advanced radio systems, and first aid equipment,” Haas explained.
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