The Saudi Defence Ministry said Bangladesh is among 13 countries joining a Saudi-led multinational maritime defence coalition.
The ministry said the coalition will seek to safeguard navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
It described the initiative as defensive and said it would not target any state.
The ministry said planned work would include intelligence sharing, joint exercises, coordinated patrols and emergency measures to keep sea routes open.
Besides Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, the ministry listed Turkey, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan and Comoros as members.
Bangladesh previously sent troops to Saudi Arabia during the 1990 Gulf War and later provided logistics and service work during Kuwait’s reconstruction.
Retired army officer Nasir Uddin Ahmed said Saudi Arabia is Bangladesh’s largest labour market, with more than 2.5 million Bangladeshi workers, making bilateral economic ties a significant consideration.
Ahmed said participation could give the Bangladesh Navy experience in modern maritime operations, anti-submarine patrols, intelligence exchange and joint drills.
He also said safer Red Sea routes could support Bangladeshi shipping and potentially expand trade and labour-market opportunities on Africa’s eastern coast.
Former naval officer J. U. Bhuiyan said the move could create diplomatic risks in Bangladesh’s relationship with Iran.
Ahmed said Bangladesh would need to make clear to Iran that its participation was for maritime-route security rather than opposition to Iran.
Ahmed said the evidence does not clarify Bangladesh’s operational role, responsibility for potential losses, or insurance and benefits for any personnel involved.