The Government of Bangladesh has announced its intention to provide the Bangladesh Navy with a large number of warships, aircraft and infrastructure to strengthen it.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the announcement during the annual Presidential Parade at the Bangladesh Naval Academy today.
The Prime Minister reminded her government procured 27 warships for the Bangladesh Navy as well as Naval Aviation wing and Naval Special Forces outfit SWADS. This includes two recently acquired guided missile frigates and two guided missile corvettes from China. The four warships will be commissioned shortly.
The Prime Minister mentioned Khulna Shipyard has built two Large Patrol Craft and five Coastal Patrol Craft for the Bangladesh Navy. Another five Coastal Patrol Craft are being built at present. Six Guided Missile Frigates are to be built at the Chittagong Dry Dock Ltd.
She stated the Navy has taken up a program to acquire and have built a significant number of guided missile corvettes, minehunters, Oceanographic research vessel and sailing training ship.
According to her the Naval Aviation wing will also receive maritime patrol aircraft, anti-submarine helicopters and long range maritime patrol aircraft.
Besides new types of missiles, IFF system etc are also being procured to build a strong Navy. The progress of the construction works for the Bangladesh Navy’s most high profile bases including BNS Sher-e-Bangla and BNS Sheikh Hasina are also going rapidly. Numerous other accommodation facilities have also been completed for members of the Bangladesh Navy and their families.
The Bangladesh Naval Academy was also modernised under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directives.
The ceremony at the Bangladesh Naval Academy was attended by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), senior military officers, bureaucrats and foreign diplomats.
Recently on 2 December 2019-B batch comprised of 783 non-commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Navy completed their training at BNS Titumir in Khulna. The newly trained personnel will help strengthen the ranks of the Bangladesh Navy.
