In a significant development with
far reaching strategic implications for India, neighboring Bangladesh has
commissioned its first Submarine base in Cox Bazar on March 20th
with Chinese assistance according to media reports
Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina inaugurated the submarine
base of Bangladesh ‘BNS
Sheikh Hasina’ at Pekua in
Cox’s Bazar. The Government of Bangladesh
signed an agreement with China in September 2019 for the
construction of the Submarine base.
This new submarine base will help
the Bangladesh 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.