Australia to supply drones to Bangladesh Coast Guard

Australia will provide technical assistance to the Bangladesh Coast Guard under a civil-maritime security cooperation agreement, gifting aerial drones as part of the support.

A delegation led by Australian Maritime Border Command Commander Rear Admiral Brett Sonter visited the Coast Guard Headquarters today with officials from the Australian high commission in Dhaka.

The country had already delivered helmets, boarding vests, self-inflatable life jackets, knee and elbow pads, and tactical gloves, Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Ziaul Haque told reporters after a meeting.

“They will also support us with modern technologies. We hope to receive drones soon to enhance maritime surveillance,” he said.

The collaboration will also involve exchanging operational information to bolster efforts against transnational crimes such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal fishing.

“As part of our 2024 memorandum on Civil Maritime Security and Maritime Safety, we are working together to counter illegal fishing, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and people smuggling. In a short time, we have already conducted multiple training sessions,” said Sonter.

“It is crucial for us as Indian Ocean neighbours to address these significant challenges,” he added.

On security concerns at St Martin’s Island, the Coast Guard chief said there is no security threat on St Martin’s.

“Everything is normal in St Martin’s. Just as we live peacefully in Dhaka, people in St Martin’s are also living peacefully,” he said in reply to a question from reporters.

He said members of the Coast Guard, Navy, police, and other law-enforcing agencies are always stationed on the island.

“So, there is no cause for concern,” he added.

He also addressed recent push-in incidents from India on the eastern maritime boundary. “There was one such incident, but due to our strong vigilance, no further incidents have occurred,” he said.

Regarding the Myanmar border, he noted, “We’ve maintained a working understanding with rebel groups to ensure security in the area.”

Answering questions about Bangladeshi fishermen captured by the Arakan Army, he explained, “Those fishermen had crossed the maritime boundary. There has been no incident where rebel groups entered our waters to abduct fishermen.”