By Mizan Rahman/Dhaka

 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday announced that two modern corvette warships, now being manufactured in China, will be added to the Bangladesh navy fleet next year.

Induction of two Chinese submarines in the navy will also be completed by next year, she added.

Hasina said her government has launched the process for constructing the country’s largest naval base at Rabanabad in Patuakhali which will have submarine berthing and aviation facilities.

The prime minister said this at the southeastern Chittagong Port yesterday while conferring the Award of National Standard to Bangladesh Navy Ship (BNS) Osman for its outstanding services in the naval force at home and abroad for the last 25 years.

BNS Osman recently returned home completing its four-year service in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon bringing outstanding honour and pride for the nation.

Addressing a function on the occasion, the prime minister said BNS Osman has elevated the position of Bangladesh navy to a new stature. “It’s a time of pride for the whole nation as well as the armed force and Bangladesh navy,” she said.

BNS Osman, a multipurpose guided missile frigate, was commissioned in the navy in 1989. The ship has huge contribution to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. It has participated in more than five hundred exercises at home and abroad and trained 445 Bangladesh navy officers and sailors.

Navy Chief Vice Admiral M Farid Habib received the prime minister as she arrived in
Chittagong.

Hasina said her government during its stint in 1996 had undertaken initiative to build up a modern and time-befitting naval force in light of the defence policy formulated in 1974.

Necessary steps were taken for infrastructure development, procurement of ships and enhancement of the operational capacity of the existing ships, she said. At that time, the Bangladesh army and air force also witnessed massive expansion and modernization, she added.

The prime minister said the pace of development of the armed forces had been continued after her government assumed office in 2009. Members of the three services brightened Bangladesh’s image in the international arena including UN Peacekeeping missions.

Hasina said through the settlement of maritime dispute Bangladesh could establish its rights on sea areas equivalent to same size of its plain land and marine resources. The government has already undertaken various plans for exploitation and optimum use of the marine resources.

The prime minister said Bangladesh has about 710km coastal areas where 30mn people directly and indirectly are dependent on sea resources for their livelihood. About 90% foreign trade and business is
operated on sea routes.

Security of river routes is very essential for safe procurement of sea resource and conducting trade and business. In view of this, the naval force has to play a vital role, she said.