EMBASSY DHAKA SUPPORT FOR EDA LANDING SHIP, TANK

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000065 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/INSB, AND PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2030 TAGS: MASS MCAP PINS PREL KPKO BG SUBJECT: EMBASSY DHAKA SUPPORT FOR EDA LANDING SHIP, TANK (LST) TRANSFER TO BANGLADESH Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Bangladesh's senior navy and civilian leadership, including the Prime Minister's national security advisor, have repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Excess Defense Articles (EDA) ships from the United States to help upgrade and modernize Bangladesh's Navy. Approving the transfer of an EDA Landing Ship, Tank (LST) to Bangladesh would improve its ability to support natural disaster relief operations and United Nations Peace Keeping Operations (UNPKO). Embassy Dhaka strongly supports the transfer of an EDA LST to Bangladesh's Navy (BN). End Summary. Bangladesh Government Expresses Interest -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) Major General (ret) Tarique Siddique, the Prime Minister's Security Advisor, has repeatedly expressed Bangladesh's eagerness to acquire EDA ships from the U.S. to country team members and visiting U.S. officials, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense South Asian Affairs Director. Siddique told Polcouns, on January 11, that although the cost for Bangladesh to refit an LST could be substantial, the Prime Minister supported the acquisition. Siddique noted that Bangladesh was currently in the process of purchasing two EDA offshore patrol craft from the UK to meet the PM's commitment to the Navy Chief's call for fleet modernization. The BN Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) specifically asked the DATT for EDA frigates, offshore patrol craft, and amphibious craft, such as an LST. The Bangladesh Coast Guard's (BCG) Director General (DG) has repeatedly asked the DATT for EDA cutters, amphibious craft of any type, and patrol craft. (Comment: Although the BCG functions under the Ministry of Home, the BCG's leadership is comprised entirely of Bangladesh Navy officers on deputation. The BCG DG completely understands that adding an amphibious craft to the Bangladesh Navy not only would increase the navy's capabilities, but also the BCG's. End comment.) GOB Seeks to Improve Fleet -------------- ¶3. (C) Most ships in the BN are technologically obsolete and increasingly difficult to maintain. BN officers are well trained; many have received professional military education and/or have operational experience with friendly nations' navies. The BN's leadership understands navy equipment limitations and has sought to maximize existing equipment's performance. Maritime territorial disputes with Burma over areas believed to include significant natural gas fields have further convinced the navy's leadership it needs to expand and improve Bangladesh's fleet. (Comment: A November 2008 naval standoff with Burma over an exploratory drilling rig galvanized the government's resolve to improve the navy's capabilities. During its first year, the Awami League-led government authorized the purchase of fixed-wing maritime patrol aircraft, ship-borne capable surveillance and utility helicopters, and two large offshore patrol craft. End comment.) LST: Improved Support for Disaster Relief and UNPKO -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C/NF) The BN regularly assists with disaster relief operations in natural hazard-prone Bangladesh. About 30 percent of Bangladesh routinely suffers annual flooding while a major cyclone or flooding of 50 to 70 percent of the country occurs on average every three years. An LST would significantly improve the BN's ability to respond during relief operations by providing large capacity for delivery relief supplies and/or transporting relief forces and rescued DHAKA 00000065 002 OF 002 victims. The BN's leadership is keen to increase the number of BN personnel deployed on UNPKO. Participation in such missions brings both career enhancement and personal economic reward to participants while expanding the BN pool of experienced officers and sailors. The BN's Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Rear Admiral Habib, told the DATT that an LST would be ideal for enabling the BN to fulfill United Nations' requests for ships to support UNPKOs. (Comment: Bangladesh is the second largest contributor of peacekeeping personnel to UNPKOs. The Newport Class LST is more modern and capable than any amphibious platform in the current BN inventory. Providing Bangladesh with an LST would improve the aggregate age of their main surface combatant fleet and would directly improve their ability to help themselves during recovery from natural disasters, as well as to support multiple UN missions. End comment.) Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) Increasing Bangladesh's naval capabilities and USN-BN interoperability for joint operations is a key U.S. goal. Improving Bangladesh's maritime domain awareness and interoperability will enhance U.S. ability to secure freedom of navigation in the strategic sea lines of communication within the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. MORIARTY