Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have signed a defence memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering military cooperation between the two countries
Principal Staff Officer of Bangladesh’ Armed Forces Division Lt General Md Mahfuzur Rahman and Saudi Arabian armed forces’ Deputy Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Mutlaq bin Salim  Al-azaima signed the non-binding agreement in Riyadh on Thursday (Feb 14).
Under the agreement, both countries will cooperate on a number of issues including military training, exercise and education, military information and intelligence, defense industry, supply and maintenance, inspection and exchange of expertise, military medical and research, sports, social and cultural activities, science and technology, and exchange of military personnel, maritime security and fight against pirates.

Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque told the media in Dhaka on Wednesday (Feb 13), “Proposals on minesweeping and civil construction was floated during the prime minister’s last visit to Saudi Arabia.”
He also said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina maintains her policy to not send troops to war fields except for sending troops under the blue helmets — UN peacekeeping missions.
“The only exception, when she said Dhaka will consider sending troops if Mecca and the Medina come under attack,” said Haque.
“Under the proposed deal, Bangladesh will deploy two battalions of troops numbering nearly 1,800 for defusing/removing mines along the border of war-torn Yemen,” a press release issued by the Bangladesh Mission in Saudi Arbia quoted Chief of Army Staff Gen Aziz Ahmed on Feb 3.
The army chief, who was on a trip to Saudi Arabia last week, said Bangladesh named four military officials, including a brigadier general, for joining the Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC).
“The Bangladesh Army would continue its cooperation with the coalition,” he said
On the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Aziz said the signing of the defence deal will take the military cooperation between the two countries to a new height.
He said that he discussed with Saudi officials about engaging members of the Bangladesh Army engineering corps in building various civil and military infrastructures and development works in the Saudi Arabia.
He also proposed engagement of experienced doctors of Bangladesh Army in different areas of Saudi defence forces.
“Saudi Army, Navy and Air Force officials were receiving training at Bangladesh Military Academy, National Defence College and Defence Services Command and Staff College,” added the Army chief.