Bangladesh Navy TOWARDS A BLUE WATER NAVY

Isa Khan

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Commander Mohammad Golam Kibria, (TAS), psc, BN

Abstract

No matter how surprising it may sound, an inquisitive mind might ask itself whether Bangladesh Navy could be a blue water navy or not. The traditional definition might discourage such thinking, but there is a way out. It is time for the navy to look beyond home waters, and shift its thinking and way of operating so that redundancy may be eliminated freeing the navy for its core competency development. This paper discusses the key naval roles and employments that are 'blue-water' in nature, and finds ways to share responsibilities for better results in the fields of maritime security as well as national defence.

Since its inception, Bangladesh Coast Guard has been sharing some of the maritime security duties that BN had shouldered all the way. With the passage of time ECG has gained capabilities (and growing further) to take over the peacetime operations all by itself Now, the navy could help the coast guard a bit more and hand over all such duties to it. When this is done, BN would be able to conduct more operational exercises Ooint and single service) home and abroad, undertake diplomatic engagements, enhance multi-national operations capability and many more leading to the navy's core competency development.


Introduction​


"A Blue Water Navy for Bangladesh!" sounds surprising. Yes, for now, it may be surprising if the term 'Blue Water Navy' is taken in its text book (asset oriented) meaning rather than the mindset or psychology behind it. Bangladesh Navy (BN) is advancing towards Blue Water capabilities. This is not an over statement of what is planned in the Forces Goal 2030. Does that mean in the year 2030 BN will have a complete blue water capabilities? To be on the safe side, let us say, 'may be no'. Then what is this paper talking about? All it intends to say is that BN will, at some point in time in the future, acquire all that is needed, asset wise, to make itself a blue water one. Mindset wise, it is already time to shift gear.

The fall of Berlin Wall means that the small states have given up their traditional alignment with either the US or the USSR. Consequently, direct influence of the so-called super powers has reduced significantly. Again, due to an influential UN system, states now cannot involve in a direct military conflict with one another. Now, most wars are fought by a coalition of nations under the mandate of UN Resolutions. The practice of coalition-operations is not likely to fade away in the foreseeable future.

This phenomenon drives nations' navies to seek and acquire capabilities to operate as a part of such coalitions deployed, in peacetime, for countering piracy; providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR); UN Peace Operations etc. Through their participation in these operations, navies try to achieve diplomatic leverage, international confidence nonetheless, foreign currency for their nations. In the process, the more valuable multinational interoperability for war is reaped.

With this pretext, this paper will discuss the traditional blue water concept of navy and contemporary naval employment in order to assess whether or not

BN should pass on its long-practiced policing duties to Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG), and focus on its core blue water functions.

Blue Water Navy - Described​


Definition.

In the United Kingdom the term, "blue water navy" is used to describe a navy possessing 'maritime expeditionary capabilities'. The United States defines a blue-water navy as, 'a maritime force capable of sustained operation across the deep waters of open oceans. A blue-water navy allows a country to project power far from the home country and usually includes one or more aircraft carriers. Smaller blue-water navies are able to dispatch fewer vessels abroad for shorter periods of time.' It has been seen that there is variance in the concept of what constitutes a 'blue water' navy. However, there is a requirement for the ability to exercise sea control at wide ranges.

Core Capability. As evident from the definitions, following are the core capabilities of a blue water navy:
  • Operates at high seas far from home ports and m some cases world-wide.
  • Able to conduct Replenishment at Sea (RAS); having a underway replenishment ships are a strong sign of a Blue Water Navy.
  • Owns or operates from overseas bases that extend logistic reach, provide repair facilities and enhance strike range.
Deduction.

The term blue-water navy should not be confused with the capability of an individual ship. For example, vessels of a [smaller] navy can often operate in the blue waters for short period of time. A number of nations have extensive maritime assets but lack the capability to maintain the required sustainable logistic reach. Still some of them join coalition task groups m blue-water deployments such as anti-piracy patrols off Somalia.

Navies are Blue Water by Nature

Strategic Views.


Strategists like Admiral Alfred T Mahan, Sir Julian Corvette, Geoffrey Till, and James Cable all talk about blue water roles or employment of navies. Admiral Mahan opines that the very birth of the navy was to protect maritime trade. His concepts of winning decisive battles and gaining Command of the Sea are still famous and well discussed as strategic options in the navies world-wide.The naval function of sending troops across the seas onto enemy's coasts to capture territories is a blue water concept.

Sir Julian Corvette's concept of a balanced fleet is aimed at winning wars deep at sea. Professor Geoffrey Till does not want to give up the traditional and royal terminology 'Command of the Sea' although 'Sea Control' seems to have replaced it in today's operational discussions. Whatever we call it, Command of the Sea or Sea Control, the business is blue water by nature. James Cable has taken the navy as far out across the oceans as into the overseas ports and coastal waters in the name of Naval Diplomacy.

Historical Employments.

Historically navies have been 'Blue Water' as far as their employments have been seen. The Spanish, the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British used their navies to vanquish the enemy fleet at high seas, to acquire overseas, colonies and to bring riches to homeland. The history of the Royal Navy and the like, is all about decisive battle at high seas. The two World Wars saw the blue-water employment of navies for securing national interests of the belligerents.

The inferior German Navy deployed its U-Boats deep into the Atlantic to sink millions of tons of merchant shipping of the superior allied forces. On the other hand, one of the prime allied missions was the protection of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) with improved Anti Submarine Warfare technologies and tactics. All these examples indicate towards the navy's natural blue water functions. However, for smaller states, protection of offshore installations and coastal defence are major issues in their naval strategies.

Navies Now-a-days.

The advanced navies, such as the US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Russian Navy etc. are blue water in their operational concepts and deployments even in the peace time. However, the regional navies, such as the Indian Navy, Pakistan Navy, Indonesian Navy etc. join some kind of coalition/combined task force like CTF 150 for long-term deployment to counter piracy at sea, for example. Navies also participate in multinational exercises such as Exercise CARAT, MALABAR, MILAN, AMAN, EFES, FEROCIOUS FALCON etc. some of the regional navies also contribute forces (both human and materiel) to assist in the security operations of host nations - like PN contributing forces to the middle-east countries.

Such participations of smaller/regional navies with the global forces give them a feeling of operating for extended periods in the blue water environment. It is not just about feeling blue water; it is also about adopting a blue water operational culture, achieving interoperability, tightening diplomatic ties, sharpening operational planning and execution process etc. for smaller navies, it is about a 'blue water mindset'.

The Blue Water Mindset

One big question that can be asked to this paper is about the 'blue water mindset' it is talking about. This paper intends not to dispute the traditional meaning of the term 'blue water'; the term is in vogue. However, it is a matter of quite a long time until BN achieves the real 'blue water' capabilities when it would be able to operate forces in distant waters for extended duration without support from home ports or from friendly countries.

The essence of the mindset lies in two areas. Firstly, the capability to operate forces in distant waters for long duration and Secondly, the post cold-war naval affairs. These two issues are briefly discussed below:

  • Distant Operations Capability.

The first thing to consider is whether BN is capable of operating forces in distant waters without support from home ports for extended duration. Yes, BN is so capable. It has been doing so since 2010 when it first started to contribute surface forces to the Mediterranean Sea under United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). BNS OSMAN and BNS MADHUMATI performed commendably for four long years, and the legacy is still on.

Of course they did not operate continuously afloat; there was no underway replenishment; they needed to return to nearby ports for refueling, provisioning and the likes. This necessarily does not snatch away their blue water virtues. In multinational operational deployments, supports will be available from allied assets either afloat or ashore, and thereby ships will be able to perform their blue water functions.

  • Post Cold War Naval Affairs.

During the cold war, the two super powers used to deploy naval forces in their areas of interest globally to exert influence, assure allies, yield politico-economic benefits etc. There were no deployments such as how naval forces are now deployed in UNIFIL, or how multinational naval forces are operating for countering piracy in the Horn of Africa etc. Regional navies are now more aspiring to acquire blue water capabilities and ensure sea control within their areas of interest. Smaller navies are growing faster than they used to in the cold war period.

Global partnership or cooperation for countering piracy and responding to natural disasters is the cornerstone of most navies' strategies. Military forces are now deployed in peacekeeping missions under the UN, which gives countries like Bangladesh diplomatic leverage in the international forum. The inherent advantages of naval forces in diplomacy are being fully utilized in today's economically and politically intertwined world.

Naval forces deployed in distant waters (forward deployed, in other words) can be utilized in crucial moments. A very recent example of such employment is Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) performed by navies of China and India that extracted civilians from the port of Aden during the Saudi led coalition operations in Yemen.

Concept of BN's Blue Water Employment

The blue water employment of BN assets would be as follows:
  • Increased participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations such as UNIFIL (supporting the attribute of distant operation).
  • Participation in multinational operations for countering piracy in the Hon of Africa etc. (supporting the attribute of distant operation).
  • Increased participation in HADR operations overseas such as in the South East Asian region (supporting the attribute of distant operation and power projection).
  • Participation in multinational exercises such as CARAT, Ferocious Falcon, AMAN, MILAN, EFES etc. (supporting the attribute of distant operation and power projection).
  • Lending surface forces for maritime security roles to the Middle Eastern countries like Bahrain and Qatar (supporting the attribute of power projection).
  • Ocean Navigation training cruises for UT Officers and sailors (supporting the attribute of sustained operation in high seas).
Major surface and subsurface assets ofBN at home ports would be engaged mostly in operational exercises in the EEZ and beyond. Such exercises may focus naval operations aimed at protecting Bangladesh's long and vulnerable SLOC - so vital for the country. Coastal Defence and Defence of Offshore Installations would also be exercised.

BN cannot forego its policing roles until BCG becomes fully capable of undertaking such roles. Therefore, with BCG performing such duties within the internal waters and the TS BN would continue to perform such tasks from outside the TS to the end of EEZ. BN may use its OPVs, Auxiliaries and LPCs for this purpose. In these operations Naval Aviation could augment surface forces as required and feasible. Another major role that BN would hold even when it becomes a full-grown blue water navy is HADR in the coastal regions of the country. Amphibious craft, Auxiliaries and Naval Aviation are the assets that BN may employ for this purpose. HADR will be a joint BN-BCG operation. Other nation-building roles and operations in aid to civil power can be undertaken by the above mentioned BN assets together with blue water assets in home ports.

Challenges.

The challenge now posed to BN in becoming a 'blue water navy' is two-fold. Firstly, the ability to execute underway replenishment at high seas to increase operational reach and sustenance and secondly, operating from overseas/forward bases. Upon overcoming these two challenges, BN can be called, according to the mindset discussed earlier a 'blue water navy'.

Overcoming the Challenges.

It can be safely said that BN has achieved a sizable surface force. At this point, acquiring one/two underway replenishment ship(s) is a logical requirement for undertaking sustained operations by these platforms. Again, BN already has few forward bases within Bangladesh. Equipping two of these bases (St. Martin's and Hiron Point/Khepupara) with minimum necessary logistic and maintenance facilities for BN's surface and air elements will boost operational reach and sustenance of BN to a great extent.

On the other hand, Bangladesh is not in a position to own and operate overseas bases. This, however, does not preclude the possibility of being able to arrange provision of logistics and maintenance support for BN ships overseas. Arrangements may be made with friendly countries for ships to be deployed in the South China Sea and the Horn of Africa or elsewhere as envisioned in this paper.

Looking After the Backyard​


One might say that the BCG is not in a state, both materially as well as personnel wise, to be employed for ensuring maritime security of Bangladesh waters extending out to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This is a correct statement. Then how do we manage this vast area? The recent remarks of the Honorable Prime Minister on the occasion of BCG's 20th anniversary call for a strong Coast Guard capable of performing maritime security tasks of Bangladesh. The Prime Minister (also the Defence Minister) categorically mentioned 'protection of offshore assets', 'anti-piracy' etc.

The BCG is in the process of developing its capabilities to take over the maritime security duties of Bangladesh. BN is also passing on some assets to the BCG helping it on its way. However, with its present assets, BCG is supposedly capable of assuming the maritime security duties of Bangladesh waters upto the Contiguous Zone. In due course of time, BCG may be fully capable of being employed to the EEZ.

Until some of the BN assets may continue to be employed between the TS and the EEZ, Naval Aviation will continue to support these operations with shore based helicopters and MPAs. For this asset management to be effective and a joint BCG-BN concept of maritime security will be required. A long term BCG-BN maritime security strategy is needed to be developed prior to devising such a concept. This paragraph may raise some questions to a thinking mind. The followings are likely to answer some of those questions:
  1. BCG will order construction of LPCs/OPVs for itself from Khulna Shipyard Limited.
  2. BCG will acquire a squadron of helicopters with Surface Surveillance capabilities which will be placed under the operational control of Naval Aviation. A close coordination between BN and BCG will be necessary in this area.
  3. BN will hand over the ships of 31, 41 and 71 PCS to BCG.
  4. At some point in the future, BN will hand over its OPVs to BCG.

The Gains​

The most important question that may be asked to this paper is 'why?'; 'what does the nation get after all these changes? 'Few of the benefits that are expected after this strategy is well employed are as follows:
  1. Bangladesh gets a strong Coast Guard capable of independently performing maritime security duties as envisioned by the Honorable Prime Minister.
  2. Bangladesh gets a navy operating regionally and globally bringing not only foreign currency but also operational prowess and diplomatic leverage.
  3. BN ships, aircraft and submarines, and their crew acquire and sharpen multinational inter-operability much needed for the 21st century navies.
  4. Bangladesh remains ready to flexibly deploy its navy at a short notice for regional/international crises, natural or man-made. Such deployments are likely to reassure friendly nations and enhance confidence upon the goodwill of Bangladesh.
  5. BN platforms get more time and opportunity to exercise core naval operations.

Conclusion​

Globally, national interests are intertwined with other nations. Navies are one of the prime tools for pursuing such interests. Navy directly serves national economy through its peacetime operations, such as policing duties. However, a strong Coast Guard takes up such duties away from a far-looking navy, e.g. India. Thus navy can concentrate on its natural blue water functions.

The 21st century trends of naval deployments demand that BN be more outgoing than now. The blue water deployments for BN envisaged in this paper may improve Bangladesh's politico-diplomatic image, earn foreign currency for the nation and yield capability for multinational/coalition operations. If BN adopts a blue water mindset, it will in turn facilitate development of a stronger Coast Guard capable of being the real 'Guardian at Sea'.

If this vision is to be materialized, however; a number of issues will have to be dealt with, such as coordination regarding manning, training and equipping BCG, formulation of joint BN-BCG operational concept and SOPs, persuading international partners for obtaining slots for participation of BN nonetheless acquiring platforms like Underway Replenishment Ships that will give BN blue water capability alongside the blue water mindset.
 

PutinBro

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Commander Mohammad Golam Kibria, (TAS), psc, BN

Abstract

No matter how surprising it may sound, an inquisitive mind might ask itself whether Bangladesh Navy could be a blue water navy or not. The traditional definition might discourage such thinking, but there is a way out. It is time for the navy to look beyond home waters, and shift its thinking and way of operating so that redundancy may be eliminated freeing the navy for its core competency development. This paper discusses the key naval roles and employments that are 'blue-water' in nature, and finds ways to share responsibilities for better results in the fields of maritime security as well as national defence.

Since its inception, Bangladesh Coast Guard has been sharing some of the maritime security duties that BN had shouldered all the way. With the passage of time ECG has gained capabilities (and growing further) to take over the peacetime operations all by itself Now, the navy could help the coast guard a bit more and hand over all such duties to it. When this is done, BN would be able to conduct more operational exercises Ooint and single service) home and abroad, undertake diplomatic engagements, enhance multi-national operations capability and many more leading to the navy's core competency development.


Introduction​


"A Blue Water Navy for Bangladesh!" sounds surprising. Yes, for now, it may be surprising if the term 'Blue Water Navy' is taken in its text book (asset oriented) meaning rather than the mindset or psychology behind it. Bangladesh Navy (BN) is advancing towards Blue Water capabilities. This is not an over statement of what is planned in the Forces Goal 2030. Does that mean in the year 2030 BN will have a complete blue water capabilities? To be on the safe side, let us say, 'may be no'. Then what is this paper talking about? All it intends to say is that BN will, at some point in time in the future, acquire all that is needed, asset wise, to make itself a blue water one. Mindset wise, it is already time to shift gear.

The fall of Berlin Wall means that the small states have given up their traditional alignment with either the US or the USSR. Consequently, direct influence of the so-called super powers has reduced significantly. Again, due to an influential UN system, states now cannot involve in a direct military conflict with one another. Now, most wars are fought by a coalition of nations under the mandate of UN Resolutions. The practice of coalition-operations is not likely to fade away in the foreseeable future.

This phenomenon drives nations' navies to seek and acquire capabilities to operate as a part of such coalitions deployed, in peacetime, for countering piracy; providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR); UN Peace Operations etc. Through their participation in these operations, navies try to achieve diplomatic leverage, international confidence nonetheless, foreign currency for their nations. In the process, the more valuable multinational interoperability for war is reaped.

With this pretext, this paper will discuss the traditional blue water concept of navy and contemporary naval employment in order to assess whether or not

BN should pass on its long-practiced policing duties to Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG), and focus on its core blue water functions.

Blue Water Navy - Described​


Definition.

In the United Kingdom the term, "blue water navy" is used to describe a navy possessing 'maritime expeditionary capabilities'. The United States defines a blue-water navy as, 'a maritime force capable of sustained operation across the deep waters of open oceans. A blue-water navy allows a country to project power far from the home country and usually includes one or more aircraft carriers. Smaller blue-water navies are able to dispatch fewer vessels abroad for shorter periods of time.' It has been seen that there is variance in the concept of what constitutes a 'blue water' navy. However, there is a requirement for the ability to exercise sea control at wide ranges.

Core Capability. As evident from the definitions, following are the core capabilities of a blue water navy:
  • Operates at high seas far from home ports and m some cases world-wide.
  • Able to conduct Replenishment at Sea (RAS); having a underway replenishment ships are a strong sign of a Blue Water Navy.
  • Owns or operates from overseas bases that extend logistic reach, provide repair facilities and enhance strike range.
Deduction.

The term blue-water navy should not be confused with the capability of an individual ship. For example, vessels of a [smaller] navy can often operate in the blue waters for short period of time. A number of nations have extensive maritime assets but lack the capability to maintain the required sustainable logistic reach. Still some of them join coalition task groups m blue-water deployments such as anti-piracy patrols off Somalia.

Navies are Blue Water by Nature

Strategic Views.


Strategists like Admiral Alfred T Mahan, Sir Julian Corvette, Geoffrey Till, and James Cable all talk about blue water roles or employment of navies. Admiral Mahan opines that the very birth of the navy was to protect maritime trade. His concepts of winning decisive battles and gaining Command of the Sea are still famous and well discussed as strategic options in the navies world-wide.The naval function of sending troops across the seas onto enemy's coasts to capture territories is a blue water concept.

Sir Julian Corvette's concept of a balanced fleet is aimed at winning wars deep at sea. Professor Geoffrey Till does not want to give up the traditional and royal terminology 'Command of the Sea' although 'Sea Control' seems to have replaced it in today's operational discussions. Whatever we call it, Command of the Sea or Sea Control, the business is blue water by nature. James Cable has taken the navy as far out across the oceans as into the overseas ports and coastal waters in the name of Naval Diplomacy.

Historical Employments.

Historically navies have been 'Blue Water' as far as their employments have been seen. The Spanish, the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British used their navies to vanquish the enemy fleet at high seas, to acquire overseas, colonies and to bring riches to homeland. The history of the Royal Navy and the like, is all about decisive battle at high seas. The two World Wars saw the blue-water employment of navies for securing national interests of the belligerents.

The inferior German Navy deployed its U-Boats deep into the Atlantic to sink millions of tons of merchant shipping of the superior allied forces. On the other hand, one of the prime allied missions was the protection of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) with improved Anti Submarine Warfare technologies and tactics. All these examples indicate towards the navy's natural blue water functions. However, for smaller states, protection of offshore installations and coastal defence are major issues in their naval strategies.

Navies Now-a-days.

The advanced navies, such as the US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Russian Navy etc. are blue water in their operational concepts and deployments even in the peace time. However, the regional navies, such as the Indian Navy, Pakistan Navy, Indonesian Navy etc. join some kind of coalition/combined task force like CTF 150 for long-term deployment to counter piracy at sea, for example. Navies also participate in multinational exercises such as Exercise CARAT, MALABAR, MILAN, AMAN, EFES, FEROCIOUS FALCON etc. some of the regional navies also contribute forces (both human and materiel) to assist in the security operations of host nations - like PN contributing forces to the middle-east countries.

Such participations of smaller/regional navies with the global forces give them a feeling of operating for extended periods in the blue water environment. It is not just about feeling blue water; it is also about adopting a blue water operational culture, achieving interoperability, tightening diplomatic ties, sharpening operational planning and execution process etc. for smaller navies, it is about a 'blue water mindset'.

The Blue Water Mindset

One big question that can be asked to this paper is about the 'blue water mindset' it is talking about. This paper intends not to dispute the traditional meaning of the term 'blue water'; the term is in vogue. However, it is a matter of quite a long time until BN achieves the real 'blue water' capabilities when it would be able to operate forces in distant waters for extended duration without support from home ports or from friendly countries.

The essence of the mindset lies in two areas. Firstly, the capability to operate forces in distant waters for long duration and Secondly, the post cold-war naval affairs. These two issues are briefly discussed below:

Distant Operations Capability.

The first thing to consider is whether BN is capable of operating forces in distant waters without support from home ports for extended duration. Yes, BN is so capable. It has been doing so since 2010 when it first started to contribute surface forces to the Mediterranean Sea under United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). BNS OSMAN and BNS MADHUMATI performed commendably for four long years, and the legacy is still on.

Of course they did not operate continuously afloat; there was no underway replenishment; they needed to return to nearby ports for refueling, provisioning and the likes. This necessarily does not snatch away their blue water virtues. In multinational operational deployments, supports will be available from allied assets either afloat or ashore, and thereby ships will be able to perform their blue water functions.

Post Cold War Naval Affairs.

During the cold war, the two super powers used to deploy naval forces in their areas of interest globally to exert influence, assure allies, yield politico-economic benefits etc. There were no deployments such as how naval forces are now deployed in UNIFIL, or how multinational naval forces are operating for countering piracy in the Horn of Africa etc. Regional navies are now more aspiring to acquire blue water capabilities and ensure sea control within their areas of interest. Smaller navies are growing faster than they used to in the cold war period.

Global partnership or cooperation for countering piracy and responding to natural disasters is the cornerstone of most navies' strategies. Military forces are now deployed in peacekeeping missions under the UN, which gives countries like Bangladesh diplomatic leverage in the international forum. The inherent advantages of naval forces in diplomacy are being fully utilized in today's economically and politically intertwined world.

Naval forces deployed in distant waters (forward deployed, in other words) can be utilized in crucial moments. A very recent example of such employment is Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) performed by navies of China and India that extracted civilians from the port of Aden during the Saudi led coalition operations in Yemen.

Concept of BN's Blue Water Employment

The blue water employment of BN assets would be as follows:
  • Increased participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations such as UNIFIL (supporting the attribute of distant operation).
  • Participation in multinational operations for countering piracy in the Hon of Africa etc. (supporting the attribute of distant operation).
  • Increased participation in HADR operations overseas such as in the South East Asian region (supporting the attribute of distant operation and power projection).
  • Participation in multinational exercises such as CARAT, Ferocious Falcon, AMAN, MILAN, EFES etc. (supporting the attribute of distant operation and power projection).
  • Lending surface forces for maritime security roles to the Middle Eastern countries like Bahrain and Qatar (supporting the attribute of power projection).
  • Ocean Navigation training cruises for UT Officers and sailors (supporting the attribute of sustained operation in high seas).
Major surface and subsurface assets ofBN at home ports would be engaged mostly in operational exercises in the EEZ and beyond. Such exercises may focus naval operations aimed at protecting Bangladesh's long and vulnerable SLOC - so vital for the country. Coastal Defence and Defence of Offshore Installations would also be exercised.

BN cannot forego its policing roles until BCG becomes fully capable of undertaking such roles. Therefore, with BCG performing such duties within the internal waters and the TS BN would continue to perform such tasks from outside the TS to the end of EEZ. BN may use its OPVs, Auxiliaries and LPCs for this purpose. In these operations Naval Aviation could augment surface forces as required and feasible. Another major role that BN would hold even when it becomes a full-grown blue water navy is HADR in the coastal regions of the country. Amphibious craft, Auxiliaries and Naval Aviation are the assets that BN may employ for this purpose. HADR will be a joint BN-BCG operation. Other nation-building roles and operations in aid to civil power can be undertaken by the above mentioned BN assets together with blue water assets in home ports.

Challenges.

The challenge now posed to BN in becoming a 'blue water navy' is two-fold. Firstly, the ability to execute underway replenishment at high seas to increase operational reach and sustenance and secondly, operating from overseas/forward bases. Upon overcoming these two challenges, BN can be called, according to the mindset discussed earlier a 'blue water navy'.

Overcoming the Challenges.

It can be safely said that BN has achieved a sizable surface force. At this point, acquiring one/two underway replenishment ship(s) is a logical requirement for undertaking sustained operations by these platforms. Again, BN already has few forward bases within Bangladesh. Equipping two of these bases (St. Martin's and Hiron Point/Khepupara) with minimum necessary logistic and maintenance facilities for BN's surface and air elements will boost operational reach and sustenance of BN to a great extent.

On the other hand, Bangladesh is not in a position to own and operate overseas bases. This, however, does not preclude the possibility of being able to arrange provision of logistics and maintenance support for BN ships overseas. Arrangements may be made with friendly countries for ships to be deployed in the South China Sea and the Horn of Africa or elsewhere as envisioned in this paper.

Looking After the Backyard​


One might say that the BCG is not in a state, both materially as well as personnel wise, to be employed for ensuring maritime security of Bangladesh waters extending out to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This is a correct statement. Then how do we manage this vast area? The recent remarks of the Honorable Prime Minister on the occasion of BCG's 20th anniversary call for a strong Coast Guard capable of performing maritime security tasks of Bangladesh. The Prime Minister (also the Defence Minister) categorically mentioned 'protection of offshore assets', 'anti-piracy' etc.

The BCG is in the process of developing its capabilities to take over the maritime security duties of Bangladesh. BN is also passing on some assets to the BCG helping it on its way. However, with its present assets, BCG is supposedly capable of assuming the maritime security duties of Bangladesh waters upto the Contiguous Zone. In due course of time, BCG may be fully capable of being employed to the EEZ.

Until some of the BN assets may continue to be employed between the TS and the EEZ, Naval Aviation will continue to support these operations with shore based helicopters and MPAs. For this asset management to be effective and a joint BCG-BN concept of maritime security will be required. A long term BCG-BN maritime security strategy is needed to be developed prior to devising such a concept. This paragraph may raise some questions to a thinking mind. The followings are likely to answer some of those questions:
  1. BCG will order construction of LPCs/OPVs for itself from Khulna Shipyard Limited.
  2. BCG will acquire a squadron of helicopters with Surface Surveillance capabilities which will be placed under the operational control of Naval Aviation. A close coordination between BN and BCG will be necessary in this area.
  3. BN will hand over the ships of 31, 41 and 71 PCS to BCG.
  4. At some point in the future, BN will hand over its OPVs to BCG.

The Gains​

The most important question that may be asked to this paper is 'why?'; 'what does the nation get after all these changes? 'Few of the benefits that are expected after this strategy is well employed are as follows:
  1. Bangladesh gets a strong Coast Guard capable of independently performing maritime security duties as envisioned by the Honorable Prime Minister.
  2. Bangladesh gets a navy operating regionally and globally bringing not only foreign currency but also operational prowess and diplomatic leverage.
  3. BN ships, aircraft and submarines, and their crew acquire and sharpen multinational inter-operability much needed for the 21st century navies.
  4. Bangladesh remains ready to flexibly deploy its navy at a short notice for regional/international crises, natural or man-made. Such deployments are likely to reassure friendly nations and enhance confidence upon the goodwill of Bangladesh.
  5. BN platforms get more time and opportunity to exercise core naval operations.

Conclusion​

Globally, national interests are intertwined with other nations. Navies are one of the prime tools for pursuing such interests. Navy directly serves national economy through its peacetime operations, such as policing duties. However, a strong Coast Guard takes up such duties away from a far-looking navy, e.g. India. Thus navy can concentrate on its natural blue water functions.

The 21st century trends of naval deployments demand that BN be more outgoing than now. The blue water deployments for BN envisaged in this paper may improve Bangladesh's politico-diplomatic image, earn foreign currency for the nation and yield capability for multinational/coalition operations. If BN adopts a blue water mindset, it will in turn facilitate development of a stronger Coast Guard capable of being the real 'Guardian at Sea'.

If this vision is to be materialized, however; a number of issues will have to be dealt with, such as coordination regarding manning, training and equipping BCG, formulation of joint BN-BCG operational concept and SOPs, persuading international partners for obtaining slots for participation of BN nonetheless acquiring platforms like Underway Replenishment Ships that will give BN blue water capability alongside the blue water mindset.

Great news!!!But source?
 

Afif

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Well written article.
No doubt two or three decades later bangladesh will require a blue water navy to protect its strategic economic and geopolitical interest.

It's not an ambition, but a foreseeable 'must requirement'. Aside from the reason and advantages mentioned in the article ( which are of course desirable ) first and foremost, i wanna emphasize on the most important and the single most vital fact that, our energy and trade security is heavily ( or should i say exclusively ) depend on maritime domain. And For the very survival of our economy, bangladesh will need to project ( at least limited ) blue water capability to not only for the protection of trade routes from piracy but also ( more importantly ) to break out any potential open sea naval blockade from potential numerically superior adversaries that may paralyze our economy in days.

Secondly, there is the future geopolitical requirement for the combat deployment of BN with the allied multi national task force in a crisis scenario ( which is considerably more serious and consequential deployment than any anti piracy or UN peace keeping mission )

Now to fulfill these two vital strategic requirements BN need to undertake a long term structural, logistical and assets development policy as it mentioned by details in the article. For my personal opinion, I think we need step by step as follows

1. at least to have four modern frigates and two AIP submarine within 2030 timeline. ( for frigate it is preferable to have STM's I class as it will bring clear geopolitical benefits aside from being cost effective, modern and sufficient, capable of AAW ASUW and ASW if fitted with aselsan new DUFAS towed array active sonar system. And if I class is not possible then dutch sigma 11515. And if it is not possible than british type31. My last and least choice given the lack of capability and for submarines the first choice is STM's TS1700. and if not then the german type214. and if not then the french scorpion. and if not then the korean KSS III. ) The requirement for AIP submarine is very crucial to patrol the BD's EEZ and deter any enemy fleet or blockade at the bay of bengal.

2. by 2040 at least eight modern frigate four next gen AIP submarine and at least one big logistics ship ( ten frigate and five subs and two logistic ships preferable )

3. two nuclear fast attack submarine beyond 2040 ( I know it may sound very bold and ambitious now! But if we think very carefully, by that time hopefully we will be multi trillion dollars economy. Thus the economic and geopolitical stakes would much higher.

And also SSN technology will proliferate by that time in the region ( as india and pakistan both having a number of SSN in their fleets and possibly indonesia also ) and with that, the possibility of subsurface blockade will become more likely by a hostile SSN fleet. in that case, only way to counter that will be with our own blockade and sinking adversaries Marchant ships. And this is the only plausible strategy ( Because it is not possible break a subsurface blockade with surface fleet nor is it possible with the our own submarines ) and would only become practical if we have our own SSN fleet.

Because with SSK, no matter how modern and heavy they are, they are not simply capable of sustaining a long term subsurface operational deployment in open indian ocean as the SSN is capable of, with their seven deadly virtues -Flexibility, high speed, stealth, endurance, reach, autonomy, and punch- ( given, the both nearest major shipping lanes is thousand miles away at Malacca and Sri Lanka )

and along with that vital capability, our SSN will be also very credible to deter any kind of hostile multidomain task force or carrier strike group try to enter the bay of bengal. And finally, even with just one SSN a significant amount of power projection would become possible, that will advance the BD's geopolitical interest far from home and also compliment any multinational allied task force deployment.
 
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Gary

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People are using the word "blue water" very liberally these days without understanding what it means to be blue water capable.

Having certain type of ship doesn't made one's a blue water navy. There's more into it.
 

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People are using the word "blue water" very liberally these days without understanding what it means to be blue water capable.

Having certain type of ship doesn't made one's a blue water navy. There's more into it.
you should read the first article carefully. and in my post i talked about LIMITED BLUE WATER capability for BN in coming decades in the sense that commander mohammad golam kibria wrote.
 

Gary

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you should read the first article carefully.
I read it earlier than you , and none of those supports what it takes to be blue water.

More likely the author is trying to shift or modify what a blue water navy truly means.
 

Afif

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I read it earlier than you , and none of those supports what it takes to be blue water.

More likely the author is trying to shift or modify what a blue water navy truly means.
do you realize he is a navy commander ?
 

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Yes, but so does Scott Ritter and his Ukraine forecast.
he only wrote about blue water mentality and logistical capability which is required for long term overseas deployment. not the actual three blue water four dimensional task force capability in the sense that only us, uk and france has yet so far.
 

Gary

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he only wrote about blue water mentality and logistical capability which is required for long term overseas deployment. not the actual three blue water four dimensional task force capability in the sense that only us, uk and france has yet so far.
Fair enough then, but there's no such thing as blue water mentality, a "blue water" is some sort of certification of one's navy. A navy operate not by its whims but as far as its supporting infrastructure.

Although the author started this writing by merely calling it a "blue water mentality". In the next paragraph however, the author implies that the navy could be blue water by writing the word " The blue water employment of BN assets would be as follows:...". so is he lying or what ?

in which he said :
  • Increased participation in HADR operations overseas such as in the South East Asian region (supporting the attribute of distant operation and power projection).
  • Participation in multinational exercises such as CARAT, Ferocious Falcon, AMAN, MILAN, EFES etc. (supporting the attribute of distant operation and power projection).

if this is the author's idea of a blue water deployment than Ukraine's navy is blue water capable.

Hetman Sahaidachny joined the Naval Force of the European Union (EUNAVFOR) in early January 2014 for NATO's "Operation Ocean Shield" anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa.
 

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Fair enough then, but there's no such thing as blue water mentality, a "blue water" is some sort of certification of one's navy. A navy operate not by its whims but as far as its supporting infrastructure.

Although the author started this writing by merely calling it a "blue water mentality". In the next paragraph however, the author implies that the navy could be blue water by writing the word " The blue water employment of BN assets would be as follows:...". so is he lying or what ?

in which he said :
  • Increased participation in HADR operations overseas such as in the South East Asian region (supporting the attribute of distant operation and power projection).
  • Participation in multinational exercises such as CARAT, Ferocious Falcon, AMAN, MILAN, EFES etc. (supporting the attribute of distant operation and power projection).

if this is the author's idea of a blue water deployment than Ukraine's navy is blue water capable.

Hetman Sahaidachny joined the Naval Force of the European Union (EUNAVFOR) in early January 2014 for NATO's "Operation Ocean Shield" anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa.
Bangladesh is not transparent on defence related matters unlike other countries.Future projects and plans are rarely disclosed to public.Especially if the topic is becoming "Blue Water Navy".

Such articles at best gives you a hint.
 

Isa Khan

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Having certain type of ship doesn't made one's a blue water navy. There's more into it.
none of those supports what it takes to be blue water.
A navy operate not by its whims but as far as its supporting infrastructure.

Could you elaborate?

More likely the author is trying to shift or modify what a blue water navy truly means.
Although the author started this writing by merely calling it a "blue water mentality". In the next paragraph however, the author implies that the navy could be blue water by writing the word " The blue water employment of BN assets would be as follows:...". so is he lying or what ?

in which he said :
  • Increased participation in HADR operations overseas such as in the South East Asian region (supporting the attribute of distant operation and power projection).
  • Participation in multinational exercises such as CARAT, Ferocious Falcon, AMAN, MILAN, EFES etc. (supporting the attribute of distant operation and power projection).

if this is the author's idea of a blue water deployment than Ukraine's navy is blue water capable.
One big question that can be asked to this paper is about the 'blue water mindset' it is talking about. This paper intends not to dispute the traditional meaning of the term 'blue water'; the term is in vogue. However, it is a matter of quite a long time until BN achieves the real 'blue water' capabilities when it would be able to operate forces in distant waters for extended duration without support from home ports or from friendly countries.
Bangladesh Navy (BN) is advancing towards Blue Water capabilities. This is not an over statement of what is planned in the Forces Goal 2030. Does that mean in the year 2030 BN will have a complete blue water capabilities? To be on the safe side, let us say, 'may be no'. Then what is this paper talking about? All it intends to say is that BN will, at some point in time in the future, acquire all that is needed, asset wise, to make itself a blue water one. Mindset wise, it is already time to shift gear.
Core Capability. As evident from the definitions, following are the core capabilities of a blue water navy:
  • Operates at high seas far from home ports and m some cases world-wide.
  • Able to conduct Replenishment at Sea (RAS); having a underway replenishment ships are a strong sign of a Blue Water Navy.
  • Owns or operates from overseas bases that extend logistic reach
Of course they did not operate continuously afloat; there was no underway replenishment; they needed to return to nearby ports for refueling, provisioning and the likes. This necessarily does not snatch away their blue water virtues. In multinational operational deployments, supports will be available from allied assets either afloat or ashore, and thereby ships will be able to perform their blue water functions.

No, he wasn't trying to shift or modify what a blue water navy truly means and he didn't imply that the navy could be blue water in the next paragraph after calling it a "blue water mentality". He already said that the navy is advancing towards Blue Water capabilities and it'll be a real 'blue water' navy at some point in time in the future asset wise before talking about the 'blue water mindset' or psychology/mentality.

In "Blue Water Mindset" part he explained what meant about the mindset or psychology. He tried to say that even though BN still doesn't Blue Water capabilities or while it's advancing towards Blue Water capabilities, it's already time to act like a 'blue water' navy or have the mentality like one which is BN trying to do since 2010. He also talked about the necessity and benefit of a 'blue water' navy in that part.

The "Blue Water Mindset" part is separated from the "Concept of BN's Blue Water Employment". There was a tiny editing mistake, i fixed it now. Hope it didn't create any misunderstanding. The writer was talking about both asset-wise and mindset-wise in his article.

And he didn't only mention "Increased participation in HADR operations overseas" and "Participation in multinational exercises" in "Concept of BN's Blue Water Employment". If Blue Water capability means having the capacity to deploy ships across the open ocean then i don't see why those two concepts can't be considered as "Blue Water Employment" as they match the "Core Blue Water Capability".

Anyway if govt can implement the plans intended for the modernization of BCG and BN then the navy will be able patrol beyond EEZ.

if not then the german type214. and if not then the french scorpion.

Better stay away from Type-214 & Scorpene.

 

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