By Mizan Rahman
Dhaka
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said two submarines will join the Bangladesh Navy by mid-2016 as part of efforts to build a skilled, modern and balanced three-dimensional navy.
“A process for the induction of two submarines in the navy has already been finalised and those will join the navy fleet in mid-2016,” she said.
The prime minister was addressing a function at the commissioning of locally-built country’s first oil fleet tanker BNS Khan Jahangir Ali, two landing craft utilities BNS Sandwip and BNS Hatia as well as handing over of two landing craft tank (LCT) LCT-103 and LCT-105 at the naval berth at Mongla in southern coastal Bagerhat district.
Hasina said people engaged in the process will have to remain active in continuing the efforts of making the Bangladesh Navy a technology-based force, befitting with the limited resources of the country.
Stressing that Bangladesh does not want war, the prime minister vowed to build standard battleship in the country in near future.
She said the government will equip the navy for protecting sea resources and curbing smuggling of arms and goods through round-the-clock patrol in maritime areas as well as keeping the marine routes open even during any war.
Due to geographical position and strategic reasons, she said, the role of Bangladesh navy in protecting country’s maritime boundary and its resources is undeniable.
The prime minister said though the Bangladesh Navy had started its journey with only two patrol craft, that small navy is now going to be transformed into a dignified
three-dimensional force.
She mentioned that the navy has got the global recognition for its various contributions to international arena, including the UN peacekeeping mission.
She said the government has adopted short and long-term plans to build the navy as an
effective force.
Under the plan, she said, most modern survey ship BNS Onusandhan, maritime helicopter and maritime patrol aircraft, two missile frigates, a US-made frigate, two missile corvettes and five patrol craft made by Khulna Shipyard were inducted in
the navy.
Hasina said another US-made frigate BNS Samudra Ovijan and two modern corvettes BNS Pratya and BNS Swadhinata being built in China would be added to the navy fleet this year.
She said a special force named ‘Special Warfare Diving and Savage (SWAD)’ has been added to the navy for unconventional warfare.
Referring to the fleet tanker made in Bangladesh’s shipyard for the first time with local and foreign technologies, Hasina a said a new chapter in the continuous progress of Bangladesh navy was opened up with it.
Earlier, on her arrival at the Mongla naval berth, the prime minister was received by Navy Chief Vice Admiral M Farid Habib.
The prime minster formally handed over the commissioning order and induction order to the commanders of the ships and unveiled the name plaques of the ships.