Bangladesh Featured Bangladesh’s first submarine base starts operation today

[Isa Khan]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=113665974961221

Bangladesh is set to operationalize its very first submarine base with modern basin facilities for the Navy at Pekua of Cox's Bazar to provide safe jetty facilities to submarines and warships at the harbour.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the submarine base at “BNS Sheikh Hasina” virtually from her official residence, Ganabhaban in the morning.

Built at a cost of $1.21 billion, the base can accommodate a total of six submarines and eight warships at a time. It will allow for safe and swift movement of the submarines in case of emergency, as the base is located at the Bay of Bengal.

The premier laid the foundation stone of the submarine base, which is one of the most remarkable naval diplomacy achievements of Bangladesh, on March 3, 2017.

After coming to power in 2009, the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has started implementing the “Forces Goal-2030” in light of the defence policy formulated by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Submarine Fleet Headquarters at the BNS Sheikh Hasina

“To turn the Navy into a modern and regional strong force, the government is taking and implementing realistic plans such as various infrastructural developments, incorporation of warships to the Navy and strengthening the operational capacity of the existing ships,” Sheikh Hasina had said.

Strategic importance​

In 2016, Xi Jinping became the first Chinese president in 30 years to visit Bangladesh, which has historically been more closely allied with India. After the visit of Xi Jinping, two submarines were bought from China and Chinese experts committed to building the submarine base in Bangladesh, which became a big concern for India, according to regional experts.

In recent years, Bangladesh has expanded its defence capabilities, building a new airbase close to neighbouring Myanmar, opening several new cantonments across the country, and adding new frigates to its naval fleet.

An international tribunal has settled Bangladesh's long-standing maritime border disputes with neighbours Myanmar and India, paving the way for Dhaka to invite bids from multinational firms to explore for oil in the Bay.

Officials say the settlement has ensured the country's sovereignty over 111,631sq-km of the sea, an area nearly equal to its landmass.

Easing movement​

In November 2016, two submarines - “BNS Navajatra” and “BNS Joyjatra” - were added to Bangladesh's armada, turning the Bangladesh Navy into a truly full-fledged “three-dimensional” force in line with the Forces Goals of the country.

Both the submarines are type 035G class; 76 metres in length and 7.6 metres in width, and equipped with torpedoes and mines capable of targeting enemy warships and submarines.

The two Ming-class submarines currently berth in the “BNS Issa Khan”, at the largest naval base of the Bangladeshi Navy in Chittagong, according to officials.

Berthing in the Karnaphuli River surrounded by the country's busiest port Chittagong Port was tough for the Navy, because commercial operations at the port needed to be suspended during the movement of the submarines.

In addition, the submarines also needed a special basin to berth and further armour facilities to protect them from air strikes.

To meet these demands the government decided to build a submarine base with the help of China. The plan was not easy to execute for Bangladesh, which is surrounded by India and Myanmar, said officials.

Bangladesh’s first submarine base starts operation Monday

PM Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone on March 3, 2017

www.dhakatribune.com

 

[Afif]

MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2023

Glorious chapter starts with Bangladesh's first submarine base: PM Hasina​

BANGLADESH​

UNB
20 March, 2023, 05:15 pm
Last modified: 20 March, 2023, 05:44 pm

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said a glorious chapter opened in the country's military history with the commission of its first ever submarine base in Cox's Bazar.
"A glorious chapter started in the military history of Bangladesh as a full-fledged and modern submarine base is being commissioned in the Bangladesh Navy," she said.
The premier was addressing the commissioning ceremony of the country's first submarine base 'BNS Sheikh Hasina' of Bangladesh Navy at Pekua in Cox's Bazar through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganabhaban here.

She said her government established the Bangladesh Navy as a full-fledged three-dimensional force by adding two submarines ("BNS Navajatra" and "BNS Joyjatra") to the naval fleet on March 12, 2017.
Hasina asked the members of Bangladesh Navy to work for building the country alongside their professional duty, by playing supportive role to unlock potentials of the blue economy.
"I hope that being imbued with the spirit of patriotism, every member of Bangladesh Navy will continue their endeavors to build the country as hunger-poverty-free, developed and prosperous Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation, alongside performing their professional duty. Because, we've taken a blue economy policy to explore our huge marine resources," she said.

Photo: PID
She said the government has taken steps to utilise marine resources for the country's economic development. Besides, Bangladesh has many scopes to develop its tourism industry, she said.
The PM said her government has been building the armed forces as capable ones to protect the country's independence and sovereignty, if Bangladesh is attacked.
"We don't want to make war with anyone. But, we have to attain enough efficiency to protect our independence and sovereignty, if Bangladesh falls into such a situation. We're preparing our forces keeping that in mind," she said.

In the last 14 years, a total of 31 warships, including 4 frigates, 6 corvettes, 4 large patrol crafts, 5 patrol crafts and 2 training ships were added to the fleet of Bangladesh Navy, she said.
Sheikh Hasina also thanked Bangladesh Navy as the force is not only building ships for Bangladesh, but also constructing various water vessels and exporting these to different countries.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal delivered the welcome speech from Pekua venue.
On PM's permission, the Chief of Naval Staff handed over the commissioning forman (order) to commanding officer of the submarine base Commodore M Atiqur Rahman.

In the function, the nameplate of BNS Sheikh Hasina was unveiled.
The newly constructed submarine base can accommodate a total of six submarines and eight warships at a time.

 

[Isa Khan]

Submarine fleet HQ, sub basin, access channel, sub school and simulation center, warship jetty and berthing facilities, various maintenance workshops and other civilian infrastructures are being built in first phase.

 

[Isa Khan]

I kept wondering what this place was for and is this area even part of the base. Looks like it's for another dry dock. @F-6 enthusiast they didn't announce anything good unfortunately. From sub procurement to commissioning the new base, they managed to keep it secret so far which is good imo.

 

[Isa Khan]

 

[Afif]

Looks great, had the chance to see them in person during my visit to BNS Issa khan.
But they never let you get close, you have to watch them from the other side of the road.