Bangladesh's army chief to visit Turkey to enhance defense ties

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed is headed to Turkey for an eight-day visit to further strengthen defense relations and mutual cooperation.

The army chief, who left Wednesday, heads an eight-member delegation to enhance defense cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate.

Ahmed will pay courtesy calls to the Turkish defense minister, assistant defense minister, president of the Turkish defense industries, chief of general staff of the Turkish Armed Forces and senior officials.

His visit will also hold a view-exchange meeting at the Bangladesh high commission in Turkey.

The Bangladesh army chief will visit Turkey's military museums, war colleges, aerospace industries and other historical sites, including Army Aviation.

Ahmed is expected to return to Dhaka on Aug. 26.

- Bilateral ties enhance

Relations between Bangladesh and Turkey have reached a new high with recent high armed forces visits.

Bangladesh became the fourth-largest arms buyer from Turkey, reportedly receiving up to $60 million in weapons from Ankara’s roughly $1 billion in defense products exports in the first four months of 2021.

Turkey appears to be fostering closer relations with Bangladesh through its Asia Anew initiative, turning its attention to countries including Bangladesh, a country with a $4.45 billion military budget allocation for the fiscal year 2021-22.

Bangladesh's chief of naval staff led a delegation to Turkey in late May days before retirement.

Then-Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat led a visit in late April in response to invitations from his Turkish counterpart.

Bangladesh and Turkey are working to enhance ties and trade relations to $2 billion from the current level of around $1 billion, according to the Bangladesh foreign ministry.