According to BSS, the national news agency of Bangladesh, the local government will procure four ex-Italian Navy Minerva class vessels for Bangladesh Coast Guard to gear up its activities in the coastal areas. The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) today gave nod to the procurement proposal of the vessels.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith chaired the meeting held at the cabinet division. "The vessels will be procured from the Italian Navy under government-to-government level agreement," Mustafizur Rahman, Joint Secretary of Cabinet Division, told reporters after the meeting. Minerva class corvettes were built in two series of four units in the 1980s and 1990s by Italian shipyard Fincantieri.
WUHAN, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A new-type of frigate built for the Bangladesh Navy was launched in the riverside city of Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province on Tuesday.
The frigate, with a displacement of 1,300 tons and maximum speed of 25 knots, is 90 meters long and 11 meters across the beam. It can accommodate 80 crew.
It will be the most advanced frigate in the Bangladesh Navy, which will be a boost to its coastal defense capability and the China-Bangladesh friendship, said Rear Admiral Syed Abu Mansur Arshadul Abedin, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff at the launching ceremony.
The frigate can detect, identify and destroy surface and aerial targets and can also carry out maritime monitoring and patrols, and search and rescue missions, said Cai Libin, deputy general manager of the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co. Ltd, the builder of the frigate.
It is equipped with 76 mm and 30 mm naval guns as well as ship-to-ship and ship-to-air missiles.
Bangladesh has bought two frigates from China. The first was launched in November.
Patrick H. 's insight:
La mise à l'eau de la 1ère corvette de cette série de 2 unités avait été médiatisée par le chantier en novembre dernier :
Bangladesh Navy is going to have two submarines in its fleet by 2015, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced yesterday.
“Inshaallah, two submarines will be added to the naval force by next year,” she said while awarding National Standard to BNS Osman at Naval Berth in Chittagong.
Besides, two new corvettes will be added to the Navy fleet to strengthen the capability of the force to protect the maritime boundary and sea resources, Hasina said adding that a process is on to set up the biggest naval base at Rabanabad in Patuakhali with facilities for submarine berthing and aviation.
“It's imperative to ensure a favourable atmosphere and security in the maritime area for extracting sea resources and securing trade. The naval force has to perform an important role in this regard,” said Hasina, who also holds the defence portfolio.
BNS Osman has been awarded with the National Standard for its outstanding contribution at home and abroad for the last 25 years, including its engagement in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon for the last four years.
The premier hoped that the Navy members would uphold the dignity of the force through their high efficiency and discipline and by maintaining the chain of command.
Hasina said her government has taken short and medium term plans to make the Navy an efficient, modern and balanced three-dimensional force by 2030.
Patrick H. 's insight:
Cette livraison était annoncée pour 2018 le mois dernier par l’état-major bangladeshi après un "reconditionnement" :
The government is in a process to add submarines to Bangladesh Navy’s fleet apart from incorporation of maritime patrol aircraft and maritime helicopter in an effort to enhance ‘deterrence’ in the Bay of Bengal. LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, also in-charge of Defence Ministry, said this in Parliament on Sunday while responding to a tabled question from Begum Pinu Khan (Women seat-23). He said modern guns, missiles, torpedo, mines and SAM batteries would be incorporated in the Bangladesh Navy to enhance its capability, according to a news agency.
Patrick H. 's insight:
L'acquisition des sous-marins chinois anciens Type 035 Ming avait été annoncée en décembre dernier :
The two renowned warships of the country’s navy force are going to be replaced with newly procured 053H2 Frigate ships from China
The first two Frigate ships - BNS Abu Bakar and BNS Ali Haider - were de-commissioned from Bangladesh Navy (BN) at a programme at BNS Isha Khan Jetty in Chittagong on Wednesday.
The two renowned warships of the country’s navy force are going to be replaced with newly procured 053H2 Frigate ships from China, said navy sources.
The new ships have already been started from China and will hopefully arrive in Bangladesh at the end of January, said the sources.
Chittagong Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral Akhtar Habib, (ND), ndc, ncc, psc, as chief guest, addressed the de-commissioned programme held at BNS Isha Khan Jetty in the port city at around 10:00am.
He said the two first generation Frigates made proud BN fleet by giving their services for about 35 years in many national interests.
The ships also played an important role during natural disasters in the country, he said.
“Both the ships discharged their duties appropriately in the Bay of Bengal to protect the country’s economic maritime area and save the country from outer enemy, terrorist and smugglers,” he also said.
The warships also raised Bangladesh flag in the world by showing their capabilities during different international naval exhibitions along with many modern and well-mechanised naval forces of developed countries, he added.
The area commander also thanked to the present and former officials of the two ships to operate the ships with a disciplined process and proved themselves as the best survivors for the country’s maritime area.
Present and former high officials of Bangladesh Navy in Chittagong were present in the programme, among others.
BNS Abu Bakar was re-commissioned in Bangaldesh Navy in 1982 while BNS Ali Haider was commissioned in 1978.
Patrick H. 's insight:
Le processus d'acquisition des 2 frégates chinoises est lancé depuis avril 2013 :
The Bangladesh Navy received “BNS Somudro Joy,” the largest and the heaviest Guided Missile Frigate to its fleet from the United States Coast Guard yesterday.
The US ambassador to Dhaka Dan Mozena and chief of Bangladesh Navy Vice Admiral Farid Habib welcomed the ship at the Chittagong Naval Base.
After visiting the vessel, the ambassador said the US was the largest export destination of Bangladesh and most of the export trades took place through the waterways.
The vessel would play a key role in providing a safeguard on the maritime boundary of Bangladesh, he added.
“I hope many more vessels will come to Bangladesh from the US, so that, gas, fisheries and other resources can be kept secured, alongside, curbing the rate of human resource and arms trafficking,” said Mozena.
The naval chief said they were optimistic about acquiring another frigate of such kind shortly.
“We won a maritime boundary larger than our land territory last year. The necessity of such giant frigates came following the victory to keep vigil on such a vast maritime boundary,” he added.
The 378-feet long and 43-feet wide warship had been sailing through the Pacific ocean and serving the US since 1972. It was decommissioned from the US Coast Guard in October last year.
From a senior source in the Indian Navy, which has ties to the Russian shipbuilding and ship-repair enterprises in Severodvinsk, our blog has learned that China offers Bangladesh to buy two large diesel-electric submarines of the Russian-built Project 636 from the PLA Navy. According to preliminary information, it is about a Chinese submarine hull numbers "374" and "375" (serial numbers 01701 and 01702) built at "Sevmash" in Severodvinsk in 2002 under a contract for the construction of China's eight submarines Project 636. According to the contract five boats were built for China to "Admiralty Shipyards" in St. Petersburg, one - at the "Red Sormovo" in Nizhny Novgorod, and two - on "Sevmash". Both boats were put Severodvinsk PLA Navy in December 2005 and delivered to China in the summer of 2006. Why China has chosen to offer Bangladesh boat is Severodvinsk construction - is unclear.
According to Indian sources, the Russian representatives and the administration of "Sevmash" and of "CA" Star "aware of these intentions of the Chinese, but simply can not stop them, but it is clear that China has no right to sell submarines built in Russia without the consent of the Russian hand, nor has the rights to exercise and repair and maintenance of these boats from a third party.
Also, the Indian source said that the Indian Navy took a policy decision to hold the second medium repairs of its four diesel-electric submarines of Project 877 EKM (08,773), had previously passed the first repair in Russia. However, only two boats will be on average repair of "CA" Star "in Severodvinsk, and repair of two other boats Indian side intends to implement on their own. Should be noted that the Indian Navy has not yet spent the first three medium repairs on their boats 877EKM, so there is reason to believe that the Indian epic of the repair of boats stretched for a long time.
In addition, the Indian source, it was reported that due to the recent loss of the submarine project Sindhurakshak 08773, leadership of the Indian Navy has decided to crossing the smear has long been a tender for the purchase or construction of six submarines under the program Project 75I, entangled in the very early stages of harmonization of requirements. Request for Proposals (RFR) to the companies participating in the tender must be sent before the end of this year.
Patrick H. 's insight:
Cette information n'est guère surprenante. D'une part, la Chine avait acheté des sous-marins russes type Kilo Projet 636, dans les années 2000, avant tout pour faciliter la conception de sa propre série de sous-marins conventionnels type Yuan. On peut penser qu'elle souhaite se séparer de quelques exemplaires au fur et à mesure de l'ASA des sous-marins de sa propre conception.
D'autre part, le Bangladesh a émis l'intention récemment (février dernier) d'acquérir 2 sous-marins auprès d'un pays "ami" par un investissement de niveau modéré. La Chine avait été citée comme très possible fournisseur. Ces sous-marins d'occasion semblent faire parfaitement l'affaire :
RUAG Aviation has delivered the first Dornier 228 New Generation aircraft to the Bangladesh navy. The second unit is scheduled to be delivered at the end of this month.
Bangladesh's Dornier 228 NG aircraft will be used for maritime air patrols and rescue missions along that nation's extensive coastline. The aircraft has been fitted with a 360° Telephonics RDR-1700B surveillance radar and operator console as well as HF, VHF/UHF and VHF FM radios. Additionally, the aircraft are equipped with a search-and-rescue (SAR) radio direction finder, six observer seats and two bubble windows.
KHULNA, May 6 (BSS)-The second Patrol Craft, BNS Surma,built by Khulna Shipyard Limited (KSY), was handed over to Bangladesh Navy today at the quay of Khulna Shipyard. The protocol of delivery and acceptance of documents was handed over to Navy Chief, Vice Admiral M Farid Habib during the inaugural ceremony. The PC lengths over all 50.4 meter, depth 7.5 meter, draft 1.8 meter with 207 tons displacement, having maximum speed of 23 knots and cruising speed of 18 knots and endurance of 1500 nautical miles. It has 2x37 mm guns and 2x20 mm guns with mine laying facility. KSY signed a contact with Bangladesh Navy on May 2, 2010 to built five patrol crafts with a cost Tk. 288 crore. The designs, materials other supervision packages were provided by The China Shipbuilding Offshore Company (CSOC) for the Patrol Craft project. The first Patrol Craft, BNS Padma was built by KSY and launched on October 8, 2012, which was commissioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 24, 2013 at Khulna Naval Base Titumir. While addressing the launching ceremony as the chief guest, Navy Chief Vice Admiral M Farid Habib said, the warship, categorized as Patrol Craft, will be deployed for costal patrols duties, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, anti-drug trafficking, fishery protection and disaster relief operation surveillance etc. Referring to Bangladesh winning a maritime dispute with Myanmar at the international tribunal ITLOS, Navy Chief said the responsibility of the navy has significantly increased in ensuring security and protecting sovereignty and sea resources. The construction of remaining warship is also progressing and expected to hand over to Navy soon, said Commodore Riaz Uddin Ahmed, Managing Director of KSY in his welcome address. Air Commodore Md. Anwarul Haque Sardar and senior civil and military officials, among others, were also present on the occasion.
Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Ltd (ASSL) is going to deliver a 'Fuel replenishing oil tanker' at a cost of Tk 720 million to the Bangladesh Navy in June this year, officials at the launching ceremony of the tanker said. The launching ceremony of the under-construction world-class oil tanker was held Monday at the ASSL office in Meghnaghat under Sonargaon in Narayanganj. Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Muhammad Farid Habib inaugurated the ceremony while Master General of the Ordinance Major General Abdul Matin, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) Rear Admiral Awrangazeb Chowdhury, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Admin & Training) Air Vice Marshal Abu Esrar, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Maintenance) Air Vice Marshal Md Majaharul Islam spoke on the occasion. ASSL Chairman Dr Abdullahel Bari and Managing Director Mrs Afruja Bari also spoke. Through the launching, Bangladesh as well as ASSL entered into the golden era of shipbuilding. The Bangladesh Navy will be able to develop a very strong fleet in near future as domestic shipyards have achieved the capacity of building Naval ships, Muhammad Farid Habib said. The Bangladesh government is procuring this tanker by its own fund and Janata Bank is supporting Ananda Shipyard with financial facilities for construction. According to the ASSL officials, this tanker is able to replenish fuel to Naval ships on both sides while all of them are steaming in sea at both peace and war situations. The tanker is powered with 4000 HP (Horse Power) and can move at 24 km/hour in adverse sea condition. The 270-foot long tanker can carry 2400 tonnes of fuel. Dr Bari said the shipbuilding industry in Bangladesh is set to emerge as a new export leader in coming years as the industry is getting orders in large number from foreign buyers. "If we can grab 2.0 per cent of the global orders for small ships, the amount will be worth US$ 8.0 billion. The global market for small ships is now worth about $ 400 billion," he said.
Patrick H. 's insight:
Newly Built Oil Tanker of Bangladesh Navy (BN). It can refuel two warships simultaneously and its also equipped with 2 x Oerlikon 20 mm auto cannons.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Bangladesh Navy would be equipped with 'submarine with base facilities' to make it a 'deterrent force'.
Two maritime patrol aircrafts will also be added to navy by this April, she said while commissioning the first locally built patrol craft ‘BNS Padma’ at Naval Base at Khalishpur in Khulna.
The prime minister said her government has bought several ships and among those some were upgraded to modern missile boats in last fiscal year.
Special naval force SWADS has been formed to play an active role in protecting maritime boundary, she added.
As part of short-term policy to modernise the navy, two helicopters and several missiles were procured to make BNS Bangabandhu, a frigate, upgraded, Hasina said.
The premier added that two highly modernised large patrol crafts fitted with missiles are now being given final touches in China while tanker for carrying fuel on waterway in country is almost complete.
“Five patrol crafts are being built at Khulna Shipyard among which, ‘BNS Padma’ is added to Bangladesh Navy today,” the prime minister said.
She also urged the navy personnel to keep vigil to protect the country’s maritime boundary as some powerful countries are emerging circling the maritime boundary.
Patrick H. 's insight:
Cette déclaration officielle au plus haut niveau de l'Etat du Bangladesh fait suite à l'interview publiée il y a 2 jours émanant de responsables militaires faisant état de discussions engagées avec la Chine pour l'achat de sous-marins chinois. En l'état des communiqués, et comme aucun élément financier n'est annoncé, il est difficile de déterminer s'il s'agira de modèles récents (Yuan, Song) neufs ou d'occasion ou bien de sous-marins très anciens (Ming)
As the Bangladesh Navy inches towards its goal of becoming a three-dimensional force capable of operating above, on, and under water, based on its envisaged “Force Goal 2030,” the possible rise of a regional naval power in the Bay of Bengal is sure to ruffle a few feathers in New Delhi. India is seeking to be more engaged in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to counter an ever increasing number of Chinese naval deployments. Does Bangladesh see itself as a serious regional naval power in the years to come? Is it facing legitimate threats that warrant such a build up? What implications could this have for the security architecture in the Bay of Bengal?
Having won its maritime disputes against Myanmar and India under a UN tribunal over the last two years, Bangladesh is now keen to be able to safeguard its right to explore and potentially exploit energy and mineral resources in the area. It also suffers from a very high incidence of piracy along its coast, which highlights the need to build the capacity of the Bangladeshi Navy and other costal forces to mitigate the problem. In fact, the Bangladeshi Navy has a number of vessels and aircraft on order which will give it the capability to conduct more anti-piracy and resource protection patrols. These range from old U.S. Coast Guard cutters and indigenously built patrol vessels, to Chinese built/refurbished corvettes and a budding new aviation wing comprising a handful of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The Navy also has two Chinese Ming-class submarines on order, due to be delivered by 2019 which will give the force some serious offensive firepower.
It is this order for Chinese submarines that is beginning to challenge the overt narrative of “capacity building” for local constabulary actions to tackle piracy and guard resource assets. The only two nations that border Bangladesh on land and in the Bay of Bengal are India and Myanmar. Both countries have accepted the UN’s verdict on Bangladesh’s rights to the previously contested Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The addition of offensive vessels like submarines, however, suggests that Dhaka still views India and Myanmar’s interest in the region as a threat or that it wants to harness capabilities that will help it to be taken a serious regional player. That is clearly a Bangladeshi aspiration, given that it has been dispatching aid through its navy to local natural disaster zones as well as participating in joint exercises with dominant naval forces in the region.
The acquisition of two outdated diesel submarines will not pose a significant threat to India. They could be of some military value, however, if tensions with Myanmar were to re-emerge. What is ruffling feathers in New Delhi is the idea that the Chinese are beginning to make further inroads into South Asia, gaining influence through the supply of cheap military hardware and investing in infrastructure projects such as ports and airports. While Dhaka has not yet granted the Chinese any rights or privileges on its bases or territory, the recent docking of a Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) nuclear submarine at a privately built Chinese port in Sri Lanka will stoke fear of further such incidences.
Over the years New Delhi has suffered from a foreign policy paralysis that has resulted in it trying to play catch up with China. It is only recently that inroads have been made in Indo-Bangladesh relations with both countries engaging each other actively to resolve territorial and power/water disputes. Dhaka is supposed to have approached India to help provide it with two submarines sometime in 2013. The Indian Navy, itself down to historically low submarine numbers, was in no position to meet the request. The Indian recommendation was to approach Russia, but China was willing and able to step in and meet the demand.
Bangladesh has been seeking to diversify its defense equipment suppliers over the years. These efforts have been stymied by factors of affordability, given its weak economy. While woefully behind in its ability to supply Bangladesh with military hardware, India can leverage historical, cultural ties, and military-to-military engagements in the form of joint exercises and training of personnel.
When the Bangladesh Navy eventually does acquire the capability to operate in the air, surface and under water it will be of paramount importance for India to engage and develop ties to not only better gauge Bangladesh’s intent but also to create a regional ally instead of a competitor. Any other outcome has the potential to produce a naval competition in the Bay of Bengal that Bangladesh can ill afford and India certainly does not need.
China has launched its most advanced warship for export. Built by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, the frigate, named Independent, is made for the Bangladeshi navy and is due to be delivered next year.
This will become the Bangladeshi navy's most advanced warship, and be a real boost to its coastal defence capability.
25 knots sailing speed, anti-radar design, highly adaptable to weather and oceanic conditions, and decked out with powerful weapons.
The frigate "Independent" is made to be an all-rounder.
"We believe this ship has very good cost performance. It can serve to protect the sovereignty and interests of a country out at sea. It can patrol, escort, protect fishing boats and conduct law enforcement," said Yang Zhigang, president of China Shipbuilding Industry Co..
The "Independent" is one of two vessels ordered from China by Bangladesh.
Researchers at the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation have redesigned the ship's structure to suit the complex conditions of the Indian ocean.
"We made a new ship form. It's cross-section looks like a deep Vee. Compared to the traditional round bilge hull form, it improves the performance of the ship when there are waves, guaranteeing high sailing speed in unfavorable oceanic condition," said Sun Lianfei, chief designer of China Shipbuilding Industry Co..
Designers also gave a boost its mobility and survivability.
"It has two engines and two propellers. They can work independently. This design makes it more reliable and durable. Its powerhouses are separately located, improving its survivability," Sun said.
The newly launched frigate will stay in the port for months while electronic equipment and weaponry systems are installed.
And after 6 months, the "Independent" will leave her mother port, and take up her post as a mighty guard on the Indian Ocean.
The government has signed a deal with China for the purchase of two submarines at a cost of Tk 1500 crore. The Chinese army is presently using these two 24-year-old submarines. It is expected that Bangladesh Navy will take over these two submarines in 2018 after they are reconditioned.
The government reportedly plans to procure four submarines so that the navy can form a submarine squadron. A submarine operating authority will be formed to operate and maintain the submarines. An officer of the rear admiral rank will head this body. About 200 persons will be required for the submarine operations and several have already been trained for the purpose.
A member of the procurement committee on anonymity tells Prothom Alo, "China will supply two 035G model submarines in accordance to the agreement. The payment for these will be made over a period of five years, from 2013-14 till 2017-18. These will cost 20 crore 22 lakh US dollars or 1569 crore taka.
Considering how important it is for a less developed country to purchase submarines, Maj. Gen. (retd) Subed Ali Bhuiyan, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee for the defence ministry, says, "The decision to procure submarines was taken during the term of the BNP government. After the new government came to power, the parliamentary committee has held only one meeting. The issue of submarines hadn't been raised," He says he knows nothing about the matter.
The naval officers have no answer concerning the longevity of these old submarines, the cost of maintenance, and how these will strengthen the navy.
Dr. Iftekharuzzman, geo-political analyst and executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh, says, "We have no defence policy. It must be clarified on what basis we are making such a massive purchase. Transparency is very importance in such cases."
According to the UK-based weekly defence magazine Jane's, type 035G model submarines were manufactured in 1985 and were officially launched in December 1990.
The submarine base will be established at the Kutibdia channel in Pekua upazila, Kutubdia.
Patrick H. 's insight:
Ce contrat est en discussion avec la Chine depuis décembre dernier :
The Bangladesh Navy (BN) commissioned the last three of its five indigenously built Padma-class patrol craft on 15 December 2013. BNS Aparajeya , Adomya , and Atondro were received at Chittagong in a ceremony presided over by Bangladesh's president, Abdul Hamid. They join lead ship Padma and Surma , which were commissioned on 24 January and 29 August 2013 respectively.
The 270-tonne full load boats are 50 m long and can reach a top speed of 23 kt. Their armament includes four NORINCO twin 37 mm naval guns and two 20 mm guns. IHS Jane's understands that all five vessels will be deployed at the BNS Titumir base.
Patrick H. 's insight:
Le 1er de série avait été livré en janvier 2013 et le 2ème en mai 2013 :
Bangladesh has finalized a deal to buy two submarines from China, officials said. The ships would strengthen the Bangladesh Navy protecting the country’s resources in the Bay, they said. The state-to-state deal would cost Bangladesh Tk 1,600 crore or US$203.3 million to procure the two Ming class submarines, they said. The type 035G diesel-electric run submarines are scheduled to be delivered in 2019. The allocation sought by the Armed Forces Division in this connection awaits finance ministry approval. Bangladesh Navy plans to make the payments to China’s state-owned suppliers from the current fiscal to 2017-18, said officials. Armed Forces Division principal staff officer Lieutenant General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq said in January that the deal to procure the submarines were under negotiation. Around 17 Bangladesh Navy sailors are receiving training on how to operate submarines. The Navy acquired land in Kutubdia Island in Cox’s Bazaar to set up a submarine base. Bangladesh Navy needs to deploy submarines to safeguard the country’s interests in its waters, Dhaka University international relations professor Imtiyaz Ahmed told New Age.
On peut remarquer que le Bangladesh, qui est loin d'être considéré comme un pays riche, semble débourser tout de même une "coquette" somme pour s'équiper de sous-marins à la technologie dépassée selon les critères habituels du marché.
La série des Ming a eu une forte production dans les années 80 et n'est plus construite depuis 2001 :
Récemment, le site français Infosdefense (reprenant l'américain Strategy Page) pensait que l'accord s'était conclu sur un modèle plus récent (type 039) :
KOLKATA: India is concerned with Bangladesh's decision to order two submarines from China. There are also indications that Chinese submarines have been sneaking into Indian territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal undetected. These developments have led to the Eastern Naval Command seeking more presence in the Bay of Bengal region.
"Why would Bangladesh need submarines? This decision by the government there and the ongoing strife in the country is a matter of concern for us. We also suspect that Chinese submarines are sneaking into Indian territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal region, though none has been detected as yet. This is reason enough for greater naval presence in the region. At the moment, India isn't really prepared for any conflict in the Bay of Bengal region near West Bengal due to the lack of adequate infrastructure," a senior Navy officer said. Several measures have been proposed by the Navy in Bengal to improve the situation. While acquisition of land at Sagar Island for a missile battery is in its final stage, the ministry of defence has decided to bear part of the cost for setting up of the deep-draughted port there. This will allow naval ships to dock there and pick up supplies for patrolling the Bay of Bengal. The Navy is also going ahead with its plans for setting up an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base at the Behala airfield. "The Sagar port is of great strategic importance. As per the RITES report, there is a funding gap of nearly Rs 3,500 crore. There will be the need to base land-to-ship and surface-to-air missiles at Sagar. Apart from this, there will be need for a communications centre and radar station. During a conflict situation, an examination anchorage will be required to inspect vessels in the vicinity. This has to be within missile range. There will also be the need for storage space for rations and ammunition for ships. The infrastructure will be in place soon. Gradually, we plan to bring in moving missile coastal batteries (missiles mounted on trucks). If required, new missiles will be acquired. The MoD is ready to pump in funds for the port in Sagar as this will be crucial in the scheme of things. The Kolkata Port Trust has asked RITES to prepare a fresh financial report based on our offer," said Commodore Ravi Ahluwalia, naval officer in charge, West Bengal. The Navy doesn't believe that the floating border outposts maintained by the Border Security Force (BSF) in the Sundarbans aren't adequate to prevent any sea-bound threat to the country. The NOIC believes that anti-national elements will target that area once security is tightened along the porous land orders. The UAVs will be crucial to check this.
"We are still working on land acquisition at the Behala airfield for the UAV base. We only require between 15-18 acres there for the base. The UAVs would take off from there and then their control would be handed over to a base in Sagar. The land that has been offered to us isn't quite satisfactory as there are some encroachments and the boundary isn't clearly demarcated," Commodore Ahluwalia said.
Patrick H. 's insight:
On apprenait, en effet, en septembre dernier que la Chine aurait proposé au Bangladesh d'acquérir ses 2 sous-marins Kilo Projet 636 construits en Russie en 2002 :
The US will provide a well-equipped naval ship to enhance the strength of the Bangladesh Navy in November as part of the military cooperation for bolstering the latter’s maritime security, the US ambassador said yesterday. “I am eagerly waiting for November when the 378-foot long ship is due to arrive in the Bay of Bengal,” Dan W Mozena told a seminar at the capital’s Brac Centre. The Centre for East Asia Foundation and the US Embassy jointly organised the seminar on US-Bangladesh relations and security in the Bay. The ship named “Samudra Joi” (conqueror of the sea) is going to be the “most capable” military vessel in the Bangladesh Navy to remain in a “tough form” in the Bay and the country’s newly demarcated maritime boundary, he said. The US has already trained the navy personnel to man the ship to better secure the maritime resources and prevent robbery, piracy, trafficking of people and illegal arms, said Mozena. Both the US and Bangladesh have strategic and economic interests in the Asia-Pacific region that is going to emerge as the fastest growing economic zone in the 21st century, he said. Replying to a question whether the US is planning to build a military base in Bangladesh coast as part of its Seventh Fleet Pacific Command, Mozena said it was an absurd and laughable idea. Prof Ataur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Political Association, who made a keynote presentation, said the Bay was the lifeline of Bangladesh in terms of economy and security. Former minister Dr Osman Faruk, Editor of strategic affairs at The Daily Star Brig Gen (retd) Shahedul Anam Khan, and Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Kazi Sarwar Hossain also spoke. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jun, among some foreign dignitaries, was present at the seminar chaired by former ambassador M Humayun Kabir.
Patrick H. 's insight:
Le transfert a eu lieu aux Etats-Unis en mai dernier et le nouvel équipage bangladeshi s'y entraîne depuis cette date :
Decommissioning and transfer of Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis to the Bangladesh navy this Thursday, May 23.
The Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis, a 378-foot high endurance cutter homeported in Alameda, is scheduled to be decommissioned and transferred to the Bangladesh navy as the BNS Somudro Joy during a ceremony on Coast Guard Island on Thursday, May 23.
Commissioned in 1972, Jarvis is the fourth in its class of high endurance cutters to be decommissioned to make room for the Coast Guard's new National Security Cutters. The transfer ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at Coast Guard Island and will be presided over by Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, Commander Coast Guard Pacific Area and Chief of Naval Staff for the Bangladesh navy, Vice Adm. Muhammad Farid Habib. A 20-member team from the Bangladesh navy, led by prospective commanding officer Capt. Mohammad Nazmul Karim Kislu, arrived in Alameda in March to begin preparations to accept Jarvis. An additional 70 members of the Bangladesh crew arrived in May. Upon completion of the transfer, 26 former Jarvis crew members will serve as advisors, assisting the Bangladesh crew until the BNS Somudro Joy's departure from California later this year.
Two Jianghu III class FFG completed their refit while being decommissioned at the same day -- this odd pattern adds credence to the rumor that they are being sold off to the Bangladeshi navy. We will know soon enough
Patrick H. 's insight:
Ce sont les FFG535 Huangshi and 536 Wuhu en service respectivement depuis 1986 et 1988.
Retirées du service dans la Marine chinoise en sortie de carénage : cela ressemble effectivement à une cession à une autre nation...
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government had moved to purchase two submarines and a coast guard cutter for Bangladesh Navy to modernise and strengthen the force.
“Activities are going on to purchase two submarines from a friendly country,” she told parliament while replying to a lawmaker's scripted query on her government's efforts to modernise the navy, army and air force.
Hasina, however, did not mention the name of the country friendly to Bangladesh and the timeframe for completing the purchase.
The coast guard cutter will be purchased from the USA, she said.
According to a report prepared by the navy in early 2009, the force has planned to introduce an aviation wing and a submarine to its fleet to obtain capability of a three-dimensional force.
The force has already taken steps to build infrastructure and train up its personnel, said the report sent to the armed forces division, a wing under the prime minister's office.
In her scripted answer, the premier said her government has already purchased missile, torpedo for destroying ship and submarine, depth charge, rocket launcher, canon, radar and other weapons for the navy.
Earlier on June 13 last year, Planning Minister AK Khandker, who is in charge of the defence ministry in the parliamentary affairs, told parliament that the government has moved to purchase two off-the-shelf [readymade] frigates, two large patrol crafts, two maritime patrol aircrafts and five patrol crafts for the navy.
Patrick H. 's insight:
Cette déclaration précise le nombre de sous-marins : au mois de janvier 2013, le Premier Ministre avait déjà déclaré son intention de doter la Marine du Bangladesh de sous-marins et la Chine avait été citée comme très possible fournisseur :
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