Defense Update Bangladesh

Bangladesh Navy going to assemble land-based anti-ship missile system too. It will be first such project in the country.  Bangladesh Army also expressed strong interest to acquire the weapons system to bolster the deterrence of Bangladesh’s maritime security. BD Navy will build 6 heavy frigates which will accommodate dozens of Anti-Ship Missiles. And other smaller vessels in Navy like corvettes, LPCs are also equipped with AShMs. So, in the near future Bangladesh will deploy a significant number of such missile weapons systems. Accordingly, Bangladesh Navy decided to reduce foreign dependence for the weapon.  Assembling missiles in Bangladesh will help country’s economy, create more jobs and establish a base for the high-tech military industries.

Bangladesh Navy officials inspected Leonardo AW101 helicopter for SWADS operations. AW101 is one of the most efficient and widely used helicopter. There are dozens of variants but Bangladesh Navy will order the latest version. Initially order will be placed for two, and then additional two. This chopper can be armed for the ASW missions too.

Bangladesh Navy going to build 6 new frigates at the Chittagong Dry Dock Ltd. Chinese Type 057 guided missile frigate design has been finalized. Although, it will be Chinese ship but it would have sub-systems from Italy. Armaments also include non-Chinese sources like Russia or Italy. Six ships will be built for the Bangladesh Navy in the next decade. For the purpose CDDL being modernized and expanded by the BD Navy with China’s help.  Six such ships will be cost almost $2.3bn for the next 10 years. Besides these heavy frigates Bangladesh going to build eight more Shadhinota-class stealth corvette derived from the Chinese Type 056 Jiangdao-class corvette, of which China Navy building around 50. In recent years Bangladesh Navy boost up their naval firepower by acquiring numerous naval ships from various sources. Some are intermediary to handle current situations happening with myanmar regarding Rohingya people genocide inside rakhine state.  This new ships will, ob...

Bangladesh Navy started the anti-ship missile assembling program. Recently the Directorate General Defence Purchase of Bangladesh Armed Forces issued a tender for the support facilities for the weapons systems plant. Initially C-704 & C-802A Anti-Ship Missiles of Chinese origin will be assembled here. After the successful launch BD Navy will go for the production of the, short-range naval surface-to-air missile systems, FL-3000N. In 2017 Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed announced about the Naval Missile Program in a ceremony. After that some evaluation process has done. It is worth to say that Chinese C-704 & C-802A surface-to-surface missile variants are combat proven weapons systems has been used in some naval conflicts. Yemeni Resistance Force’s used these missiles to hit Saudi & Arab Emirati naval ships and successfully destroyed the ships.  Producing such high-tech weaponry in home is a way forward to the self-reliance. This...

Bangladesh Navy ordered two more Leonardo AW-159 Wildcat anti-submarine warfare helicopters. Previously another two aircraft has been ordered, slated to be delivered later in 2019. Earlier DGDP issued an international tender, against which Leonardo was the lead contestant. Because the specifications mentioned in the tender directed that AW-159 helicopter will be the finalist. Bangladesh Navy pursuing a modernization program under the much anticipated Forces Goal-2030. Within 2030 BN has a plan to operate at least 8 new multirole frigates which will be built in the Chittagong Dry Dock Limited.  It now acquiring new and second hand warships, mainly from China as stop gap solutions. Dhaka building other smaller vessels at home shipyards right now. For future high performance frigates of the Bangladesh Navy it is essential to add an advanced, highly effective Aniti-Submarine Warfare capable aerial fleet. Hence BN materializing the plan of raising ASW helicopter fleet step by s...

Bangladesh Armed Forces participated in the EFES-2018 international military exercise organized by the Turkish Military. This time more than 24 countries attended the live fire massive war game. Most of the Muslim countries and other NATO allies included in the combined exercise. Bangladesh Army Paracommando Battalion and Bangladesh Navy SWADS were the participating units. Turkish Navy SAS-SAT helped to form and train Bangladesh Navy special force SWADS. There are very long-history between these two brotherly nation from the Ottoman era.  Turkey recently unequivocally supported Dhaka’s stance on Rohingya issues. Ankara provided financial and other support to Bangladesh to handle huge influx of Rohingya peoples fled from myanmar military’s genocide. According to the sources there are more bilateral military programs going to be help between Bangladesh and Turkey in the coming years.  The form the cooperation between them will be in the military technological sector...

Bangladesh Naval Academy is the main training facilities for the newly recruited naval officers & enlistments. This is a world-class naval warfare training. A new building complex has been established in the academy premises, which has been inaugurated by the Prime Minister sheikh hasina herself.  This most advanced military training facility will host foreign naval trainee officers apart from Bangladeshi cadets. Almost all types facilities included within this complex such modern indoor games facilities, gymnasium, dine, dormitory, library, auditorium etc.  As Bangladesh Navy expanding its manpower it needs to cope up with the most modern naval warfare training regime for the recruits. Likewise advanced training facility is also a must needed factor. Government of Bangladesh investing not only advanced warships but also modernizing training facilities too.

Bangladesh Navy is the naval warfare branch of the country tasked to protect Bangladesh’s interests in the territorial & exclusive economic water bodies. Mainly operating in the Bay of Bengal. Currently this force transforming into a three-dimensional naval force in the region.  BD Navy also tasked to protect the EEZ of Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal from all types of threats that could hamper our economic and military interests. New warships, submarines, aircrafts for various naval application are being inducted.  Bangladesh’s main trading shipping lines goes through this highly important sea. BN has a great plan to enhance strategic capabilities to respond any internal and external threats quickly. Naval special operations forces has been formed with the needs keep in mind. Indigenous shipbuilding industry growing according to the navy’s needs.  Bangladesh Navy executing a modernization program actively. Under modernization plan dozens of warships will...

Prime minister sheikh hasina inaugurated the newly built Bangladesh Naval Academy Complex. Chief of Naval Staff also attended the program along with other dignitaries.  Bangladesh Navy now can be able to host more international cadets in their training academy. This complex is one of the most beautiful building in the country. It is located in Patenga, Chittagong.

Bangladesh military operating various point and short range air defense missile systems. Those systems includes several hundred units of anti-aircraft gun systems, man portable air defense systems and short range surface-to-air missiles. Bangladesh Air Force & Army operating Chinese FM-90B SHORADS while Bangladesh Navy deployed FM-90N naval version.  Within this year BAF will complete induction of the Chinese LY-80E medium-range SAM system into active services. After that other armed services will do same. Due to the tensed geopolitical Bangladesh needs to secured its sky from any external threat. Hence network-centric advanced air defense systems are the most effective solution.

Bangladesh Navy setting up a new naval base at Patuakhali. This new base will host surface combatant and submarine berthing as well as a naval aviation facilities. Location of the base is in the Rabnabad channel. This naval base will be the biggest of its kind in the country. The Navy’s own air base will surely bolster operational capabilities of the navy. The name of the base has been settled ‘BNS Sher-E-Bangla’. Currently construction process going on in full speed.

Bangladesh Navy’s wing in the DGDP has issued a tender for two more ASW-ASuW helicopters from overseas suppliers/manufacturers. According to the operational & technical specifications stated in the tender it is obvious that Italian Leonardo will be the winner of this procurement.  Earlier Bangladesh Navy awarded Leonardo for two AW159 Wildcat ASW copter. BN wants to build a fleet of 12 anti-submarine warfare helicopters to multiply force capabilities.

Chinese Wuchang Shuangliu Shipyard launched 4th Bangladesh Navy Type 056 stealth corvette last Sunday. The hull number of the ship is F114, which will be outfitted soon. Currently the third one, F113, is being trialed in the open sea. Bangladesh Navy has a plan to operate such 14-16 corvettes. Currently two of them are in active BN services. Rest ships of the fleet will be built in the Khulna Shipyard Limited, Bangladesh.

It’s been reported that Bangladesh Navy very much interested in decommissioned Japanese & Australian P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircrafts. Both party seeking international buyers for their P-3Cs platforms which are still capable to serve small and medium navies.  Lockheed P-3C Orion is one of the world’s most capable, long serving MPA platform. It has capabilities of anti-submarine (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW). Japan Maritime Sel-Defense Force (JMSDF) & Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) both are the oldest operator of P-3C.

In this video we tried to show a comprehensive comparison between the Bangladesh Navy and Myanmar Navy.

Bangladesh Navy has a rigorous training program of its newly recruited officer cadets. New recruits must pass successfully through various phases of the training processes. It includes physical, mental, educational and extensive naval warfare regimes.  Bangladesh Naval Academy is the main training facility for our navy and main parts of the training has been conducted here. It is located in the entrance point of the River Karnaphuli, Chittagong.

Bangladesh participating in the United Nations Peace Support Operations since 1988. Along with the three Armed Forces of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Police also actively participating.  There are hundreds of such missions has been successfully completed. Currently almost 6000 soldiers & officers from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force are deployed in 11 UNPKO in 5 countries.

Bangladesh Navy’s patrol frigate BNS Somudra Avijan visited Malaysian & Pilipino ports in a friendly gesture.

Bangladesh Military Academy is the main training institute for the training of the officer cadets. Officers of the Bangladesh Army gets their training from BMA. Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force cadets also have to participate in a three-month course here for Joint Services Course.  It is located at Bhatiary, in southern port city of Bangladesh, Chittagong.

Inter-Services Selection Board or the ISSB is the sole institution in Bangladesh who conduct the selection for the new officer recruits for the three Bangladeshi Armed Forces. This educational documentary shows how they do such complex jobs.