Bangladesh, US launch joint naval exercise 'CARAT Bangladesh 2020'

The Bangladesh and US Navies launched the ‘Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh-2020’ on Wednesday to expand relationships and broaden maritime awareness between the two countries.

 

According to a press release issued by the US Embassy in Dhaka, the exercise demonstrates US’s continuing commitment to work with the Bangladesh military to address shared maritime security concerns in the region and strengthen partnership to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

 

Speaking during the online inaugural programme, Commander of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG-7) Rear Admiral Fred Kacher said that they will continue to operate with and learn from the Bangladesh Navy.

 

He further said that the US Navy stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Bangladesh in its commitment to a free and open maritime



commons.

 

Presiding over the opening ceremony, Commander, Bangladesh Navy Fleet Rear Admiral M. Mahbub-Ul Islam said that CARAT has become a unique forum to work with US Navy.

 

He said that mutual cooperation and partnership is essential to make the maritime domain safe.

 

Historically, the CARAT exercises involve people to people interactions and a variety of professional exchanges.

 

These will take place online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The sea-phase of the exercise will take place in the Bay of Bengal with ships from both countries.

 

The events are designed to enhance interoperability between the two navies.

 

US and Bangladesh will work through coordinated deployment of surface ships, to include tactical maneuvers among other activities.