DHAKA, 29 September 2004 — Bangladesh, whose troops have earned respect of the world community for their skills in UN peacekeeping missions, is facing problems sending more troops abroad due to lack of logistics support.

Pleased with the performance of Bangladeshi soldiers, the United Nations has asked for more troops, but the Bangladesh Army and Air Force lack expensive equipment to further contribute to such operations, sources said in Dhaka yesterday.

The UN recently asked the Bangladesh Army to send 10,000 soldiers in two peacekeeping missions in Congo and Sudan.

To participate in the missions, the troops require sophisticated equipment like armored personnel carriers, bullet-proof jackets and helicopters, the procurement of which involves huge funds and time.

The decision to send troops abroad accepting the UN offer depends on the arrangement of such equipment but the procurement process in unusually long in Bangladesh, said a report submitted to the parliamentary standing committee on defense.

Since Bangladesh started participating in UN peacekeeping mission in 1988, it earned 46,000 million taka ($766 million) by contributing a total of 40,793 soldiers — nearly half the total troop strength of the Bangladesh Army — to 30 missions.

At present, 7,810 members of the Bangladesh Army are serving in UN peacekeeping operations in 11 missions in different countries.

Despite its large contribution, Bangladesh has not been offered commanding positions in various peacekeeping missions proportionately.