US Army and Bangladesh Armed Forces to launch Tiger Lightning bilateral exercise
Dhaka, July 18
The US Army and Bangladesh Armed Forces will officially kick off the annual Tiger Lightning exercise on Sunday, the US Embassy in Dhaka said on Saturday.
This bilateral exercise unites over 160 service members from both countries, enhancing collaboration and the ability to operate in real-world scenarios, it added.
Tiger Lightning 26 includes training that focuses on jungle operations, counter-terror, and tactical combat casualty care, offering both nations a chance to understand each other's capabilities, the statement said.
This bilateral exercise is part of the United States Army Pacific's Theatre Army Campaign Plan and security cooperation objectives aimed at enhancing professional relationships, improving military operations, increasing readiness, and fostering interoperability between the US Army and the Bangladesh Army, it said. Tiger Lightning is a bilateral exercise between the US Army and the Bangladesh Armed Forces that started in 2017, the US Embassy said.
It was briefly paused during the pandemic but then continued concurrently for the past five years. The exercise will take place in a variety of classroom and field environments, culminating in a field training exercise.
Last year, the opening ceremony of the joint military exercise Tiger Lightning (TL)-2025, jointly organised by the Bangladesh Army and the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC), was held at the Para Commando Brigade, Jalalabad Cantonment in Sylhet on July 25.
According to the ISPR Directorate of the Bangladesh Ministry of Defence, the event was graced by Major General Ascot A. Winter, Deputy Commanding General of USARPAC, as the Chief Guest. This exercise is being jointly supervised by the Para Commando Brigade of the Bangladesh Army and the Nevada National Guard under the United States Army Pacific Command.
The six-day-long exercise continued till 30 July 2025.
Bangladesh and the United States maintain mutual cooperation in regional and global security, counter-terrorism, disaster management, and humanitarian assistance. Bangladesh remains committed to confronting natural disasters and global threats and continues to work collaboratively with the United States and other partners.
As part of this cooperation, Tiger Lightning 2025 is conducted with the aim of enhancing mutual collaboration, improving joint operational capabilities, and strengthening preparedness.
A total of 66 personnel from the Nevada National Guard of the United States and 100 personnel from the Bangladesh Army's Para Commando Brigade participated in the exercise in 2025.
Senior officials from the Bangladesh Army, including the Director of Army Air Defence Directorate, the Director of Military Training Directorate, and the Commander of the Para Commando Brigade, were present at the inauguration ceremony.
The exercise is expected to significantly enhance the professional skills of participating troops and will further strengthen the existing relationship between the Bangladesh Army and the United States Army, the ISPR had stated.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While this is officially a bilateral exercise, it's worth noting how the US is expanding its footprint across South Asia. As an Indian, I hope this doesn't lead to any unnecessary tensions in our neighbourhood. Bangladesh should balance its partnerships wisely.
Tiger Lightning seems like a well-structured exercise. Jungle operations and tactical combat casualty care are critical skills for any military operating in the region. The pandemic pause shows real-world challenges, but resuming for five years demonstrates commitment.
This is a routine military exercise that happens every year. Not sure why some are making it sound like a major geopolitical shift. Bangladesh is a sovereign nation and can train with whoever it wants. India does similar drills with the US too.
I'd like to know more about what specific counter-terror techniques are being shared. With the rise of radical elements in the region, such exercises could be valuable, but only if they respect Bangladesh's domestic laws and don't infringe on sovereignty. Let's hope transparency is maintained.
For those concerned, this is just like India's 'Yudh Abhyas' with the US. Standard cooperation. Tiger Lightning has been happening since 2017 without any incident. If it helps Bangladesh improve its jungle warfare and disaster response, it's a win-win. 🌴
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