US-Bangladesh joint naval exercise begins at Bay of Bengal

Photos - Bangladesh navy

The US Navy’s newest and most advanced P-8 marine aircraft will fly over international waters with Bangladesh’s recently inducted DORNIER-228 maritime patrol aircraft this week for the first time.
The announcement came on Thursday as the US and Bangladesh navies began their six-day joint annual exercise both on shore and off the Bay of Bengal.Both patrol aircraft flying together would enhance “maritime domain awareness”, Real Admiral Charles Williams, who is the Commander of Task Force 73 and US 7th Fleet’s executive agent for theatre security co-operation in South Asia, said.

He opened the joint training at Naval Base Issa Khan along with Commander of Chittagong Naval Area Real Admiral Akhtar Habib.The P-8 aircraft which is parked at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong is a specially designed naval aircraft that conducts both anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, among its numerous roles.Bangladesh’s marine patrol aircraft, DORNIER-228, bought from Germany’ is mainly being used for maritime surveillance with its advanced radar and navigation systems and specialist sensors for a variety of roles.

Both sides believe this will take the naval aviation training to the next level.The annual exercise known as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) is the bilateral exercise series between US Navy and nine countries of the South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of this exercise which is designed to address shared maritime security priorities, develop bonds, and enhance co-operation among the participating countries.

The exercise mostly focuses on non-traditional threats that littoral countries face including disasters and piracy.The Bangladesh episode is fourth of its kind as the country is a new participant.