The Bangladesh Navy has evinced its interest on procuring a Turkish-origin Submarine Rescue Mother Ship (MOSHIP) at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF’21).
The dedicated submarine rescue mother ship is designed to perform subsea and surface search and rescue operations in various sea conditions. The design is fully certified by NATO NSRS system and US SRDRS system with built-in A-frame of US SRDRS SRV.
The rescue ship is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system allowing flexible power sharing and maintaining of position during rescue operations. The MOSHIP has a length of 90.80 m and a beam of 19 m. Its depth is 7.8 m and draught is 4.45 m respectively.
Having a displacement of 4,200 t, the MOSHIP has a total crew of 130 personnel and is armed with two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns. Powered by two 3,500 kW engines, the MOSHIP can attain a maximum speed of 18 knots and an economic speed of 14 knots. The MOSHIP has a range of 4,500 NM.
A flight deck is situated in the rear of the bridge to accommodate a medium helicopter. The MOSHIP is also equipped with specialised cranes and two RIBs.
The MOSHIP is able to provide life support to the stranded crew of a distressed submarine at a maximum depth of 600 m (2,000 ft). She is equipped with remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) and atmospheric diving suits (ADS).
The MOSHIP would be fully constructed in Turkey and delivered within two years of signing the contract. The Bangladesh Navy has an outstanding requirement for one submarine rescue ship in accordance with Forces Goal 2030.
Istanbul Shipyard built one such MOSHIP for the Turkish Navy, which was launched in April 2014 and commissioned in January 2017. It is capable of supporting the Turkish Navy’s large submarine fleet. It was christened TCG Alemdar.
Currently the Bangladesh Navy operates two diesel-electric submarines and is constructing a comprehensive submarine base in Cox’s Bazar. The contract for the base was awarded to Poly Tech Inc (China) and is valued at $1.2 billion. It is said to be the largest submarine base in the Bay of Bengal.
The Bangladesh Navy will gradually ramp up its submarine operations with induction of another three to four newly built submarines from China or Western sources. The MOSHIP will be integral to its operations.
