Bangladesh launches military drill with US

Bangladesh and the United States have launched an annual marine drill at Naval Base Issa Khan in Chittagong on Thursday.

The exercise, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, will last until September 30.

Exercise CARAT is a series of annual bilateral military exercises conducted by United States Pacific Fleet with several member nations of ASEAN in Southeast Asia.

Currently, the navies of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, East Timor, and  Thailand participate in the training programme.

Objectives of CARAT include enhancing regional cooperation, building friendships, and strengthening professional skills.

In the inaugural session, US Navy Task force 73 commander, Rear Admiral Charles Williams, said US military aircraft Boeing P-8 Poseidon and Bangladesh's utility aircraft Dornier Do 228 will join the drill.

Chittagong naval zone Rear Admiral Akhter Habib and BN Flotilla commodore commanding Commodore Khaled Iqbal, among others,  addressed the inauguration.

CARAT consists of 6 days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security priorities, to develop relationships, and to enhance cooperation among participating forces.