PM to commission naval base in Dhaka today

For the first time, the Bangladesh Navy is going to start salvage operations of its fleet at the new naval base named BNS Sheikh Mujib in Dhaka’s Khilkhet area. Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina will commission the naval base today as part of the Navy’s ‘Force Goal 2030’ project, sources said. The PM will also inaugurate 22 high-rise buildings in the three naval areas of Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna and lay the foundation stone of a housing project of the Bangladesh Navy in Savar.

According to sources, BNS Sheikh Mujib will also play a role in conducting naval information communication, training of naval staff and operating helicopters of the force during disasters in Chattogram and Khulna. With this, the number of naval bases in the country will stand at 10. The other naval bases are BNS Haji Mohsin in Dhaka, BNS Issa Khan at New Mooring, BNS Ulka at Patenga, BNS Patenga and BNS Nirvik at Patia in Chittagong, BNS Shaheed Moazzam at Kaptai in Rangamati Hill District and BNS Titumir at Khalishpur in Khulna, and BNS Upasham.

Two more naval bases named BNS Sheikh Hasina and BNS Sher-E-Bangla would be set up soon. Of these, BNS Sher-E-Bangla, which will come up near Payra seaport at Rabnabad in Patuakhali, will be the country’s biggest naval base with aviation facilities.

The proposed naval bases will ensure the security of the country’s maritime areas, especially in the Bay of Bengal, as well as help in extracting sea resources and securing trade, sources said.

The three-dimensional Bangladesh Navy, whose motto is “In War and Peace, Invincible at Sea”, is responsible for 118,813 sq. km of the country’s maritime territorial area. Of these, Bangladesh has got 70,000 sq. km from Myanmar and 19,000 sq. km from India that comprise the territorial sea and an exclusive economic zone extending out to 200 nautical miles.

As part of its plan to strengthen the naval force, the government has purchased two submarines from China. On November 15, 2016, Bangladesh Navy entered the submarine era by receiving two Ming-class submarines from China. The two submarines—‘Joijatra’ and ‘Navojatra’—reached the Chattogram port on December 23, 2016. The PM commissioned the submarines on March 12, 2017.

Earlier in 2013, the Navy had purchased two Dornier 228NG (new generation) patrol aircraft for surveillance and search operations at sea. The Navy has also prepared a master plan to strengthen the force further with a view to ensuring the security of the country’s maritime territorial area. As per the master plan, the Navy will purchase more warships and helicopters and set up more naval bases.

The Navy is also a front line disaster management force in the country and participates in humanitarian missions abroad. It is a key regional player in counter-terrorism efforts, and engages in global peacekeeping with the United Nations.

PM to commission naval base in Dhaka today

For the first time, the Bangladesh Navy is going to start salvage operations of its fleet at the new naval base named BNS Sheikh Mujib in Dhakas Khilkhet area. Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina will commission the naval base today as part of the Navys Force Goal 2030 project, sources said. The PM will also inaugurate 22 high-rise buildings in the three naval areas of Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna and lay the foundation stone of a housing project of the Bangladesh Navy in Savar. According to sources, BNS Sheikh Mujib will also play a role in conducting naval information communication, training of naval staff and operating helicopters of the force during disasters in Chattogram and Khulna. With this, the number of naval bases in the country will stand at 10. The other naval bases are BNS Haji Mohsin in Dhaka, BNS Issa Khan at New Mooring, BNS Ulka at Patenga, BNS Patenga and BNS Nirvik at Patia in Chittagong, BNS Shaheed Moazzam at Kaptai in Rangamati Hill District and BNS Titumir at Khalishpur in Khulna, and BNS Upasham. Two more naval bases named BNS Sheikh Hasina and BNS Sher-E-Bangla would be set up soon. Of these, BNS Sher-E-Bangla, which will come up near Payra seaport at Rabnabad in Patuakhali, will be the countrys biggest naval base with aviation facilities. The proposed naval bases will ensure the security of the countrys maritime areas, especially in the Bay of Bengal, as well as help in extracting sea resources and securing trade, sources said. The three-dimensional Bangladesh Navy, whose motto is In War and Peace, Invincible at Sea, is responsible for 118,813 sq. km of the countrys maritime territorial area. Of these, Bangladesh has got 70,000 sq. km from Myanmar and 19,000 sq. km from India that comprise the territorial sea and an exclusive economic zone extending out to 200 nautical miles. As part of its plan to strengthen the naval force, the government has purchased two submarines from China. On November 15, 2016, Bangladesh Navy entered the submarine era by receiving two Ming-class submarines from China. The two submarinesJoijatra and Navojatrareached the Chattogram port on December 23, 2016. The PM commissioned the submarines on March 12, 2017. Earlier in 2013, the Navy had purchased two Dornier 228NG (new generation) patrol aircraft for surveillance and search operations at sea. The Navy has also prepared a master plan to strengthen the force further with a view to ensuring the security of the countrys maritime territorial area. As per the master plan, the Navy will purchase more warships and helicopters and set up more naval bases. The Navy is also a front line disaster management force in the country and participates in humanitarian missions abroad. It is a key regional player in counter-terrorism efforts, and engages in global peacekeeping with the United Nations.