2 submarines for Bangladesh by mid-2016, says prime minister

Staff, Newsnextbd.com,
6 September 2015

Bangladeshi is expecting introduction of two submarines to naval fleet in middle of next year as part of the government’s initiative to turn the nave a three dimensional force, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Sunday.
“Induction of submarines to the naval fleet is under process. Inshallah (God willing) the submarines would join the fleet by middle of 2016,” Hasina said at a programme organised by Bangladesh Navy in Mongla.
The programme was organised on the occasion of commissioning of one oil fleet tanker and two landing craft utility as well as induction of two landing craft tankers in Bangladesh Navy at Digraj Naval Jetty in Mongla here.
The prime minister said the construction of a base and other infrastructures for the submarines was also under process, while a priority is being given to launch full-fledged flotilla activities in Khulna river zone.
Bangladesh ordered two Ming-class submarines from China to strengthen the navy’s ability to protect maritime resources and territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal.
The state-to-state deal would cost Bangladesh $203.3mn to procure the two submarines, according to reports. The navy says 17 officials had been trained to operate submarines and it had acquired land on Kutubdia Island in south-eastern district of Cox’s Bazaar to set up a submarine base.
On her arrival at the Mongla Naval Base, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral Farid Habib and the regional commander of Khulna River Zone.
Later, Sheikh Hasina handed over the “commissioning and induction forman” formally and unveiled the name plaques of the ships.
The Prime Minister also called upon the naval officers and sailors to always uphold the dignity of Bangladesh Navy in the international arena by maintaining chain of command and professional excellence.
She said it’s an expectation of all that our naval force would be able to play a crucial role not only in the country, also at any place of the world in establishing global peace.
Due to geographical position and strategic reasons, she said, the role of Bangladesh Navy in protecting Bangladesh’s maritime boundary and its resources is undeniable.