Bangladesh commissions its first submarine base

Tags: Defence International News

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first submarine base of Bangladesh ‘BNS Sheikh Hasina’ at Pekua in Cox’s Bazar on 20 March. 

An overview of the news

• This new submarine base will help the Navy to enhance its operational capability to secure the vast maritime resources.

• Ships passing through the Bay of Bengal can also take help from this base.

• The government of Bangladesh is working on 'Forces Goal 2030' to transform its military force into a modern organization appropriate for the times.

• The government established the Bangladesh Navy as a full-fledged three-dimensional force with the induction of two submarines ("BNS Navagatra" and "BNS Joyjatra") into the naval fleet on 12 March 2017.

• Bangladesh is building ships at local shipyards for its own use as well as for others.

• Bangladesh Navy has completed construction of five patrol vessels at Khulna Shipyard.

• In the last 14 years, a total of 31 warships including 4 frigates, 6 corvettes, 4 large patrol craft, 5 patrol craft and 2 training ships joined the Bangladesh fleet.

• The Government of Bangladesh signed an agreement with China in September 2019 for the construction of the submarine base.

People’s Republic of Bangladesh 

• Capital: Dhaka 

• Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina Wazed 

• President: Abdul Hamid

• Currency: Taka