Signing of defense cooperation agreement with France

[ghost250]

Bangladesh and France emphasized trade, investment and defense cooperation to strengthen their bilateral cooperation. As part of this, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macho at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday. A diplomatic source from Paris gave this information about the meeting of the two top leaders in the first light yesterday.
According to sources, the two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation, which includes issues such as modern training as well as technology exchange to enhance the efficiency of Bangladesh's armed forces. In this connection, the possibility of the two countries moving to a new legal framework for defense cooperation cannot be ruled out, the concerned officials have hinted to this reporter.
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Sources in Paris said that in order to take the Dhaka-Paris relationship to the next level, economic cooperation, especially trade, increased investment as well as defense cooperation. For a couple of years now, France has been raising the issue of defense cooperation with Bangladesh, especially the sale of fighter jets. French Defense Minister Florence Pearl came to Dhaka last year and requested Sheikh Hasina to sell Daso Rafale. Florence Pearl is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Paris on Wednesday. As a result, the issue of arms sales will also come up in that discussion.


During her five-day visit to Paris, French Defense Minister Florence Pearl will pay a courtesy call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In that discussion, the Minister of Defense of France will give priority to the sale of fighter jets (Rafale) to Bangladesh. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh will be accorded a reception in the Senate, the upper house of the French Parliament.

According to the draft schedule, a high-level delegation from the Movement of the Enterprise of France (MEDEF), one of the leading business organizations in France, will meet the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

ফ্রান্সের সঙ্গে প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতার সম্মতিপত্র সই

দুই শীর্ষ নেতার বৈঠক শেষে প্রচারিত যৌথ ঘোষণায় প্রতিরক্ষা ও নিরাপত্তা সহযোগিতার বিষয়টি গুরুত্বের সঙ্গে এসেছে। দুই দেশ প্রতিরক্ষা ও নিরাপত্তা সহযোগিতা বাড়াতে একমত হয়েছে। এ ক্ষেত্রে সহযোগিতা বাড়ানোর লক্ষ্য নিয়মিত আলোচনা ও প্রশিক্ষণের আয়োজন করা হবে। প্রয়োজনে সামর্থ্য অনুযায়ী একপক্ষের চাহিদা অনুযায়ী...

www.prothomalo.com

 

[Black_cats]

Dhaka, Paris committed to stepping up cooperation in defence; LoI signed
UNB

• Published at 10:07 am November 10th, 2021

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday, November 8, 2021 PMO

LoI on defence cooperation relates to training and technology transfer, says the foreign minister

Bangladesh and France have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on defence cooperation as the two countries stated their will to further develop the defence and security component of their partnership.

"Yes, we did it [signed it]. However, it relates to training and technology transfer," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told UNB.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and French President Emmanuel Macron had a bilateral meeting on Tuesday and discussed the issues of mutual interest and cooperation.

To that end, the two countries agreed to strengthen dialogue and continue their cooperation, particularly in the area of training, which was launched during this visit.

They committed to stepping up cooperation in the area of defence equipment based on the needs expressed and each party’s ability to respond to them, including through capacity building and potential technology transfer in this regard, according to a joint statement.

At the invitation of French President Macron, Prime Minister Hasina is making an official visit to France from November 9.

The high-level discussions covered, among other issues, elevating bilateral relations, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties which both countries will celebrate next year and major international and regional issues.

Both sides recalled the historic leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Bangladesh acknowledged the valuable support of the government and people of France during the Liberation War in 1971.

Indo-Pacific security

The two sides also discussed geopolitical and security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

France and Bangladesh shared the same vision for a free, open, peaceful, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, based on international law and with shared prosperity for all.

Taking note of the French and European strategies concerning the Indo-Pacific, both parties agreed to work towards promoting regional peace and stability and explore further opportunities for cooperation in maritime security and the blue economy.

French President Emmanuel Macron receives Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she arrives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France on November 9, 2021 | Reuters

Highlighting their commitment to fully observing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes, refraining from any threat or use of force, they stated the importance of maintaining security and freedom of navigation and overflight in all seas and oceans.

Bangladesh and France once again reaffirmed that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, is one of the most serious threats to global peace and security and that all terrorist acts are criminal and unjustifiable.

Both countries, therefore, jointly express their support for counter-terrorism efforts and agreed to enhance their cooperation, including under the aegis of the United Nations.

Increased cooperation

France and Bangladesh would like to increase their cooperation and dialogue with a view to actively contributing towards strengthening connectivity in South Asia in order to facilitate exchanges between Europe and Asia and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Welcoming the work of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on connectivity as well as the European approach to global connectivity, both countries stressed the importance of continuing economic projects based on the principles of fair competition, transparency, economic, financial, environmental and social sustainability and mutual benefit, taking into account the principles, objectives and targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and relevant G20 documents.

France commended Bangladesh on being recommended by the United Nations to graduate from the Least Developed Country category in 2026.

Acknowledging Bangladesh's submission of the National Plan of Action on the Labour Sector to the European Union, France stressed the need for its comprehensive implementation and encouraged Bangladesh to pursue its export-led growth and economic diversification, including by leveraging the appropriate trade preferences under the European Union’s GSP Regulations.

Both countries underlined their commitment to liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment and their commitment to the role of the World Trade Organization.

They expressed their wish to strengthen their cooperation in improving the global governance mechanism and stimulating sustainable economic recovery and growth from the Covid-19 pandemic.

They also expressed their determination to strengthen economic, trade and investment cooperation and continue their shared efforts to improve market access for their respective companies.

Strengthening economic, industrial partnerships
According to the joint statement, both countries reaffirmed their desire to strengthen long-term economic and industrial partnerships, including in the sectors of agriculture, infrastructure, transport, energy and digital technology.

Taking into account the priorities expressed by Bangladesh to develop the aeronautic and aerospace sectors, both counties expressed their support for closer cooperation and new opportunities in these sectors.

France took note of Bangladesh’s pursuit of a knowledge-based economy and both sides agreed to explore enhanced cooperation in science, technology and innovation.

France and Bangladesh reiterated the central role of the United Nations in international peace and security and highlighted the importance of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the goals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

Bangladesh, which is one of the main contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and France, which also contributes to PKOs, agreed to maintain their cooperation in this area, including specific francophone contexts.

Both countries recalled their commitment to the objectives and principles pursued by all United Nations agencies, including Unesco, a forum in which both countries actively cooperate.

France and Bangladesh welcomed the growth of their friendship and highlighted their shared will to develop and deepen all aspects of their partnership through regular political consultations for strategic guidance.

The two countries reiterated their determination to enhance cooperation in all areas, including politics and diplomacy, defence and security, trade and investment, sustainable development and climate change, and education and cultural exchange.

They also recognized the importance of sustained and substantive cooperation in relevant regional and multilateral fora.

Dhaka, Paris commit to step up cooperation in defence; Letter of Intent signed

LoI on defence cooperation relates to training and technology transfer, says the foreign minister

www.dhakatribune.com

 

[Abu Shaleh Rumi]

our MRCA is going to be either Eurofighter Typhoon or Rafale. No Chinese, No Russian, no American.

 

[bluesky]

For a couple of years now, France has been raising the issue of defense cooperation with Bangladesh, especially the sale of fighter jets. French Defense Minister Florence Pearl came to Dhaka last year and requested Sheikh Hasina to sell Daso Rafale. Florence Pearl is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Paris on Wednesday. As a result, the issue of arms sales will also come up in that discussion.

In an earlier post this morning in another thread in answer to a post written by @Bilal9, I opined that BD will probably buy French Rafael planes and in order to balance this purchase from France, it would also buy five used Frigates from England.

France imported $3.3 billion worth of goods from BD in 2019. So, it must be reciprocated. Hence, comes the purchase of Rafael. French Lady Defense Minister Florence Pearl has already visited Dhaka, probably last year and she will certainly pursue the matter in Paris as well. We can expect her another Dhaka visit.

Guys, brace for NO Eurotyphoon at least for now. However, it would not be bad if BD purchases one sq. of Rafael and another sq. of Eurotyphoon. Then, what happens to F-16 purchases?

 

[SMX 3.0]

Rafael

It's Rafale no Rafael. Rafael is an Israeli firm.

 

[UKBengali]

In an earlier post this morning in another thread in answer to a post written by @Bilal9, I opined that BD will probably buy French Rafael planes and in order to balance this purchase from France, it would also buy five used Frigates from England.

France imported $3.3 billion worth of goods from BD in 2019. So, it must be reciprocated. Hence, comes the purchase of Rafael. French Lady Defense Minister Florence Pearl has already visited Dhaka, probably last year and she will certainly pursue the matter in Paris as well. We can expect aher another Dhaka visit.

Guys, brace for NO Eurotyphoon at least for now. However, it would not be bad if BD purchases one sq. of Rafael and another sq. of Eurotyphoon. Then, what happens to F-16 purchases?

Your argument is sound.

It does seem likely that the 2 European military powers may want to use their economic power over BD to support their defence industries.

BD at this stage of it's economic development must have full and unfettered access to these two important markets.

One question - what price will the all powerful USA extract from BD in this case?

 

[Destranator]

LoI on defence cooperation relates to training and technology transfer, says the foreign minister

What was so funny? The French are not known for humour.

In an earlier post this morning in another thread in answer to a post written by @Bilal9, I opined that BD will probably buy French Rafael planes and in order to balance this purchase from France, it would also buy five used Frigates from England.

France imported $3.3 billion worth of goods from BD in 2019. So, it must be reciprocated. Hence, comes the purchase of Rafael. French Lady Defense Minister Florence Pearl has already visited Dhaka, probably last year and she will certainly pursue the matter in Paris as well. We can expect aher another Dhaka visit.

Guys, brace for NO Eurotyphoon at least for now. However, it would not be bad if BD purchases one sq. of Rafael and another sq. of Eurotyphoon. Then, what happens to F-16 purchases?

I am against BD being pressured into buying sensitive equipment just because we have a trade surplus.
I don't want Rafales because of India's influence on Dassault as a major customer. Having said that we are buying other equipment from them so I don't think not buying Rafales will be the end of the world.

I still hope we buy modern single engine fighters first but the possibility is bleak.

 

[F-6 enthusiast]

What was so funny? The French are not known for humour.

I am against BD being pressured into buying sensitive equipment just because we have a trade surplus.
I don't want Rafales because of India's influence on Dassault as a major customer. Having said that we are buying other equipment from them so I don't think not buying Rafales will be the end of the world.

I still hope we buy modern single engine fighters first but the possibility is bleak.

maybe what we have seen in the last few days is the final offers by Leonardo/Airbus/BAE and Dassault

another issue is that Unlike the EFT , Rafale isn't fully NATO integrated. That means no AMRAAM, AGM-65 , AGM-88 , guided munitions etc. which are probably cheaper than their MBDA equivalents. This creates the opportunity for price gouging , similar to what the Russians did (knowing well that we didn't have alternatives).

 

[UKBengali]

What was so funny? The French are not known for humour.

I am against BD being pressured into buying sensitive equipment just because we have a trade surplus.
I don't want Rafales because of India's influence on Dassault as a major customer. Having said that we are buying other equipment from them so I don't think not buying Rafales will be the end of the world.

I still hope we buy modern single engine fighters first but the possibility is bleak.

BD may not have much of a choice as these countries can easily find other suppliers for their garments.

If BD must buy major French weapons systems then I would prefer frigates and not fighter aircraft.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Fuk france

 

[Bilal9]

What was so funny? The French are not known for humour.

I am against BD being pressured into buying sensitive equipment just because we have a trade surplus.
I don't want Rafales because of India's influence on Dassault as a major customer. Having said that we are buying other equipment from them so I don't think not buying Rafales will be the end of the world.

I still hope we buy modern single engine fighters first but the possibility is bleak.

Well I'd agree to some extent about F16V being a better platform, but whatever Western we buy will have strings attached and those strings can be handily pulled by the neighbor. I'd also say that the French will sell $hit to both sides and watch the fun, they have no principle in this regard.

Just like some other Western countries, more bombs get dropped means more the French can make and sell. If we get Rafales then we have to ensure that we get Meteors too of course, and maybe the latest Exocet version for marine anti-ship ops. This remains a very valid reason to get Rafales as successors to Super Etendards (Falklands conflict).

The French press is rather excited to report sale of weapons to Bangladesh, I saw TV media reports from France about Macron having conversations with Hasina during (and at the sidelines of) the G20 summit. At this point give something (anything!) to the BAF ahammuks so they can at least graduate and get familiar with past Millennium fighter technology. How much longer with toothless mini kiddie play-trainers?

Florence Parly au Bangladesh pour vendre le Rafale

Lors de sa visite au Bangladesh, Florence Parly a vanté auprès de la Première ministre Sheikh Hasina, qui est aussi ministre de la Défense, les performances du Rafale.

www.latribune.fr

 

[Bilal9]

BD may not have much of a choice as these countries can easily find other suppliers for their garments.

If BD must buy major French weapons systems then I would prefer frigates and not fighter aircraft.

Their frigates are humongous and expensive (even more so than Royal Navy ones AFAIK)...IMHO fighters are a better bet as they are more advanced in that technology. The Rafale has voice-command features and AESA developed by French companies. And we all know about Airbus and their products. SNECMA engines used to be not so reliable, but they have certainly gotten much, much better of late. The Snecma M88 engine version used for the Rafale is nice, but does not have thrust vectoring yet, which is being worked on.

Fuk france

I wish we in Bangladesh could say the same. Different context (trade etc.) and different dynamics.

Money trumps all and decisions have to be far-sighted.

 

[Bilal9]

What was so funny? The French are not known for humour.

Good one. Of course LoI = Letter of Intent

 

[UKBengali]

Their frigates are humongous and expensive (even more so than Royal Navy ones AFAIK)...IMHO fighters are a better bet as they are more advanced in that technology. The Rafale has voice-command features and AESA developed by French companies. And we all know about Airbus and their products. SNECMA engines used to be not so reliable, but they have certainly gotten much, much better of late. The Snecma M88 engine version used for the Rafale is nice, but does not have thrust vectoring yet, which is being worked on.


I wish we in Bangladesh could say the same. Different context (trade etc.) and different dynamics.

Money trumps all and decisions have to be far-sighted.

Actually no as regards Rafale.

French engine and fighter radar technology is behind that of the UK.

UK has already built AESA radars for the Gripen and the Eurofighter as well. It is now building what will be the world's most advanced radar Captor-E Mk 2 for its version of the Eurofighter.

You are right as regards the size of the French frigates but the French would be happy to design a smaller size to BD's requirements.

 

[VikingRaider]

I don't want Rafales because of India's influence on Dassault as a major customer.

Abaro proman holo , you have one of the sanest brain in this forum!

We won't seek for battle with anyone , but we must be prepared and also must not buy something that's already owned by others in this disturbing region!