Bangladesh receives first batch of 31 MaxxPro MRAP vehicles, 3 Metal Shark boats from US

 

One of the MaxxPro MRAPs delivered to Bangladesh, already painted in UN colors. Photo c/o Defence Technology of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Army (BA) has received the first batch of 31 refurbished Navistar MaxxPro Dash DXM Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles from the United States on May 2021.

The armored vehicles were the 50 vehicles ordered in 2019 for use by the Bangladesh Army in support of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations in Mali and Yemen.

Another 19 vehicles are scheduled for delivery to Bangladesh, with some of the vehicles to be delivered to the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) for their own requirements.

The vehicles were formerly used by the US Army in the Middle East, and were considered Excess Defense Articles (EDA) and were refurbished for sale to the Bangladeshi Government.

The deal, worth around US$29 million, includes a US Military Assistance grant worth US$13 million for Bangladesh, as part of the US Government's commitment to assist friendly countries in improving their defense capabilities

Bangladesh has also requested for another batch of 50 MaxxPro MRAPs from the US which will cover fiscal years 2020 to 2022.

Aside from the MaxxPro MRAPs, the deal with the United States also includes the transfer of 7 brand new Metal Shark light boats, 3 of which were also delivered to Bangladesh Army on May 2021. 

Another 4 boats are scheduled for delivery by 3rd quarter of 2021, which would be used by the Bangladesh Army's Riverine Engineers Brigade





[1] Defence Technology of Bangladesh
[2] Army Recognition
[3] The Bangladesh Defence Analyst