Turkey's top defence official meets Bangladesh's Yunus: Military co-operation discussed; second bilateral meet in a year

Turkey’s top defence industry official met Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and senior military leadership on Tuesday in a high-level push to expand defence cooperation between the two countries. The visit marks Ankara’s growing engagement with Dhaka amid Bangladesh’s efforts to diversify its defence partnerships.

“Haluk Gorgun, Secretary of Turkey's Defence Industries, arrived in Dhaka on a regular Turkish Air flight early in the morning,” a senior Bangladeshi official said. He added, “Earlier, top Bangladeshi military officials visited Turkey. This is the return visit. Various issues including technology transfer will be discussed.”

According to the Bangladesh Army, Gorgun paid a courtesy call on Army Chief General Waqar-us-Zaman at Army Headquarters. “Secretary of Defence Industries of Turkiye H. E. Prof. Haluk Gorgun paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff at Army Headquarters today. During the meeting, along with an exchange of greetings, they discussed strengthening the existing defence cooperation between the two countries,” the Army said in a Facebook post. “H.E. Secretary assured extended cooperation and support for the development of the defence industry in Bangladesh. CAS expressed his desire in producing various modern military equipment and developing defence technologies in Bangladesh in close cooperation with Turkiye,” it added.

The Turkish official also met the Navy Chief Admiral M. Nazmul Hasan and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan. The Navy Chief hosted a lunch in his honour. Gorgun later met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

The visit comes as Bangladesh ramps up its “Forces Goal 2023” initiative, aiming to strengthen self-reliance in defence and reduce dependency on a single supplier. Traditionally reliant on Chinese arms, Bangladesh became the top buyer of Turkish defence exports in 2022, purchasing advanced drones and other weapons.

“Bangladesh purchases weapons including drones from Turkiye. There is a good understanding between the two countries in military cooperation. Cooperation is being strengthened in the current global situation,” former ambassador to Turkiye Mosud Mannan told ANI.