FEARSOME SpecOps Force of Bangladesh — BD Navy SWADS/SEALs

Bangladesh Navy started to form its special warfare team SWADS (Special Warfare Diving And Salvage) in later of the last decade with the direct help of U.S. Navy SEALs. The then U.S. Ambassador Dan Mozena actively helped a lot. Formation and training process started in 2008 by the USN SEALs and in 2009 raising of the SWADS team has been announced with 150 naval commandos and 200 divers.

Since then the SWADS teams growing. Screening and training processes are as US Navy Naval Special Warfare Center’s guidelines. Besides United States, Turkey & South Korea also assisting Bangladesh Navy in training of SWADS members.

SWADS’ main tasks are special reconnaissance, direct action, foreign internal defense & unconventional warfare; meanwhile anti-piracy, counter insurgency, counter narcotics, counter terrorism. Covert insertions/extractions. Hostage rescue and personnel recovery. Hydro-graphic reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, raid & underwater demolition jobs also been done by them.

Size of the SWADS is classified though experts believe that BN has almost 1000 of SWADS/SEALs. Their base is called “BNS Nirvik” located in the port city Chittagong.

US Navy helped in forming and training of naval special warfare commandos for many countries around the world. Bangladesh increased their defense relations with the United States Military to boost security of the country and maintain stability in the region. Formation of SWADS was something must needed for Bangladesh Navy as the country facing increasing security threats from various unconventional security scenarios.