The Bangladesh Army has achieved a moment of exceptional pride and international recognition following the outstanding success of Officer Cadet Sakib Ahsan Rifat at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), United Kingdom.
On 12 December 2025, during the prestigious Passing Out Parade at Sandhurst, Officer Cadet Rifat was awarded two highly esteemed international honours — the International Sword of Honour and the International Award. The awards were graciously presented by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, underscoring the significance of the achievement.
This remarkable feat marks a historic milestone for Bangladesh, as it is the first time any Bangladeshi officer cadet has received both of these international awards simultaneously at RMAS. His success stands as a testament to the professionalism, discipline, and high training standards of the Bangladesh Army.
The commissioning course at RMAS was attended by 184 officer cadets from 18 countries, including 157 from the United Kingdom and 27 international cadets. Among all foreign cadets, Officer Cadet Rifat was adjudged the best all-round international cadet, earning him the coveted International Sword of Honour. Furthermore, based on his exceptional academic performance and military proficiency, he secured third position overall in the entire course and first position among international cadets, for which he was awarded the International Award.
Officer Cadet Rifat undertook his training at Sandhurst from 25 November 2024 to 13 December 2025. A graduate of Comilla Cadet College, where he completed his Higher Secondary Certificate in 2022, he later joined the 89th BMA Long Course at the Bangladesh Military Academy. His outstanding merit and competence at BMA earned him selection for the one-year commissioning course at RMAS — an honour reserved for the most promising officer cadets.
This extraordinary achievement not only highlights the individual brilliance of Officer Cadet Sakib Ahsan Rifat but also reinforces the growing reputation of the Bangladesh Army as a disciplined, capable, and globally respected force. His success reflects the effectiveness of Bangladesh Army’s leadership development and its commitment to producing officers of international standard.
The Bangladesh Army proudly congratulates Officer Cadet Rifat on his historic accomplishment and views this achievement as an inspiration for future generations of Bangladeshi officers, strengthening Bangladesh’s standing within the global military community.
