Under the overall supervision of the Armed Forces Division (AFD), the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Government of Japan today signed an agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology at Dhaka Cantonment.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Bangladesh by the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hasan, while His Excellency Mr Saida Shinichi, the Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, signed on behalf of the Japanese government. The signing of this agreement marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership and long-standing friendship between the two countries.
According to sources from the Armed Forces Division, the agreement is the outcome of close and sustained efforts by both sides since 2023. The defence cooperation agreement reflects deep mutual trust, a shared strategic vision and growing collaboration between Bangladesh and Japan. It was also stated that the agreement has been achieved through the far-sighted and effective diplomacy of Bangladesh’s interim government.
The agreement is expected to further accelerate Bangladesh’s defence modernisation process. Concluded in full compliance with the principles of the United Nations Charter, the agreement aims to contribute to international peace and security while strengthening Bangladesh’s capacity to safeguard its independence and sovereignty. It will establish an institutional framework for the acquisition of advanced defence equipment and technology, as well as for joint research and development initiatives.
Furthermore, the agreement is expected to deepen the strategic partnership between Bangladesh and Japan in South Asia, contributing positively to regional stability and global security.
With the signing of this historic agreement, military expert exchanges between the two countries are anticipated to increase significantly. Such cooperation is expected to play an important role in enhancing Bangladesh’s defence capabilities and supporting the implementation of future defence planning. Overall, the agreement is widely viewed as a major step forward in strengthening bilateral strategic relations and expanding military cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan.
The Government of Bangladesh has recently allocated 850 acres of land to establish a Defence Industrial Zone (DIZ) in Mirsharai, Chattogram region. The DIZ will be utilised to build all types of military hardware components for indigenous and international export market.
Countries such as Japan, Türkiye, South Korea, Italy, Pakistan and China have shown interest in investing in the DIZ.
Amit Bhattacharya is a leading defence procurement expert with deep expertise in modern weapon systems and military hardware acquisition. Over more than a decade, he has collaborated with top defence contractors and strategic research institutions, delivering incisive analysis on procurement frameworks, capability development, and technology integration for armed forces worldwide. Amit bridges the gap between operational requirements and industrial capacity, providing authoritative evaluations of modernisation programmes, defence budgets, and acquisition reforms in both established and emerging defence markets. He leads the Defence Procurement and Defence Industry sections at BDMilitary, shaping strategic discourse on defence innovation. Amit earned his Master of Policy and Governance (MPAG) from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, complementing his practical expertise with advanced policy and governance insight.
