DEFENSE

The Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force are composed military members. In addition to traditional defense roles, the military is commonly called on to provide assistance to civil authorities for disaster relief and internal security. During the period of emergency rule the military played a central role in the formulation and execution of key government strategies, including the anti-corruption campaign and voter registration. The army is formed and organized along British lines, similar to other armies. However, the army is attempting to accept U.S. Army tactical planning procedures, training management systems and noncommissioned officer educational systems. The Bangladesh military continues to improve peacekeeping operations capability and receive such training from the U.S. military, UN and other nations. U.S.A provided the Bangladesh Air Force four U.S. C-130 B transport aircraft in 2001 under the Excess Defense Article program. These aircraft have improved the disaster response and peacekeeping capabilities of the military’s. The Bangladesh Navy is generally limited to coastal patrolling within the Bay of Bengal and participates in international exercises. A Coast Guard exists under the Ministry of Home Affairs to meet anti-smuggling, anti-piracy and protection of offshore resources. The Bangladesh Border Force also under the Ministry of Home and Affairs addresses anti-smuggling and other missions along the land border. With about 15000 peacekeepers deployed around the world as of 2010, Bangladesh is the second-largest troop provider to international peacekeeping operations.

Bangladesh was admitted to the UN in 1974 and was elected to a Security Council. The government has participated in many international conferences especially those dealing with population, food, development and women's issues. In 1982-83 Bangladesh played a positive role as chair of the "Group of 77" an informal association encompassing most of the world's developing nations. It has taken a most important role in the "Group of 48" developing countries and the "Developing-8" group of countries

Since 1975, Bangladesh has sought close relations with other Islamic country and a role among sensible members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). In 1983, Bangladesh organized the foreign ministers meeting of the OIC.

In recent years, Bangladesh has played a major role in international peacekeeping activities. Under UN auspices Bangladeshi troops have worked or are working in Sierra Leone, Somalia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Kuwait, Ethiopia/Eritrea, Kosovo, Georgia, Congo, Western Sahara, Bosnia, and Haiti.