Bangladesh Navy
| Bangladesh Navy বাংলাদেশ নৌবাহিনী | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1971 - present |
| Country |
 Bangladesh |
| Allegiance | Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh |
| Branch | Navy |
| Type | Naval Warfare |
| Size |
16,900 personnel[1] 100+ ships[2] 4 aircraft |
| Part of |
Bangladesh Armed Forces Ministry of Defence |
| Naval Headquarters | Banani, Dhaka |
| Nickname | BN |
| Patron | The President of Bangladesh |
| Motto |
শান্তিতে সংগ্রামে সমুদ্রে দূর্জয় Transliteration: Shantite Shongrame Shamudre Durjoy (In War and Peace Invincible at Sea) |
| Anniversaries | 26 March, 7 November. |
| Engagements | Bangladesh Liberation War |
| Website | www.navy.mil.bd |
| Commanders | |
| Minister of Defence | Sheikh Hasina |
| Chief of Naval Staff | Vice Admiral M Farid Habib (ND), ndc, psc, BN |
| Insignia | |
| Naval Ensign |
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| Naval Jack |
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| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | AW-109 Power |
| Patrol | Dornier 228 NG |
The Bangladesh Navy (BN, Bengali: বাংলাদেশ নৌবাহিনী, Bānglādēśh Naubāhinī) is the naval branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. It is responsible for protecting Bangladesh's maritime territory in the Bay of Bengal, including vital shipping lanes and its exclusive economic zone. The navy is a frontline disaster management force in Bangladesh and has also helped other countries in the region. It is a key regional player in counter terrorism efforts and engages in global peacekeeping with the United Nations.[3][4][5]
History
Foundation
The Bangladesh Navy was created as part of Bangladesh Forces during Bangladesh's 1971 liberation war against Pakistan. It's official creation date is July 1971 during the historic Bangladesh Sector Commanders Conference 1971. In 1971, with West Pakistan imposing a brutal military crack-down in East Pakistan, the Bangladesh Liberation War was already underway. Many Bengali sailors and officers in the Pakistan Navy defected to form the nascent Bangladesh Navy. Initially, there were two ships PADMA and PALASH and 45 navy personnel. On 9 November 1971, the first naval fleet consisting of six small patrol vessels were inaugurated.[6] These ships tried to carry out raids on the Pakistani fleet, but were mistakenly hit and sunk by Indian Air Force on 10 December 1971. The next major attack was launched on Mongla seaport. According to official figures from Bangladesh Navy, a total of 334 sailors were involved with the newly created navy with 22 being killed in action.[7]
After Independence
Bangladesh Navy started its journey as a naval warfare arm of the independent nation with a six patrol boats given by India. The ex-Royal Navy Salisbury-class frigate BNS Umar Farooq, anad two Leopard-class frigates BNS Ali Haider and BNS Abu Bakar joined BN fleet in 1976, 1978 and 1982 respectively. The range and capability of the frigates helped BN claim sovereignty over its territorial sea and EEZ for the first time.
BN received its first Type 024 missile boats from China in early 1983. The small crafts gave the BN a stand-off strike capability for the first time.
In 1989, as a symbol of growing defense relation with China, Bangladesh Navy got an ex-PLA Navy Type 053H1 (Jianghu-II) frigate, commissioned as BNS Osman which is the first guided missile frigate of Bangladesh.
In 1995, BN commissioned five minesweepers. The four ex-RN River-class vessels and one Chinese-made Type 010 minesweeper gave BN its first mine countermeasures capability. The deep sea operating capability of the ships also helped BN to extend its patrol capabilities deeper into the Bay of Bengal.
In the year 2000, BN acquired BNS Bangabandhu from South Korea. The modified Ulsan-class frigate with improved armament, state-of-the art western electronics and a helicopter hangar became BN's most modern ship.
During 2002–04, BN took delivery of five ex-RN Island-class OPVs. The massive range (11,000 nm) of the ships and their superb sea-keeping capabilities (12-15kt in Force 8 gale) helped BN cover the remotest parts of Bangladesh's EEZ.
Forces Goal 2030
In 2009, Bangladesh government adopted a long term modernization plan for its armed forces called Forces Goal 2030. Under this plan navy got more importance due to the strategic importance of Bay of Bengal and possibility of getting huge oil and gas in the bay. Due to disputes over maritime boundary with India and Myanmar navy become more important. As a result several steps were taken to make navy a three dimensional deterrent force.
As part of the new modernization plan, BN received two ex-RN Castle-class OPVs and an Ex-RN Roebuck-class survey vessel. The Castle-class ships were converted into guided missile corvettes. BN also received two Type 053H2 (Jianghu-III) frigate from PLAN as a stop-gap. Two Durjoy-class Large Patrol Craft (LPC)/Corvettes were built in China and joined BN in 2013. A US Coast Guard High Endurance Cutter also joined BN in 2014, which is planned to be converted into a guided-missile frigate. Another such ship is expected to join the fleet by 2015. Two Type 056 corvettes are also under construction in China and are likely to join BN by 2015.
Bangladesh Navy opened its aviation wing on 14 July 2011 with the induction of two AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters. Later on, two Dornier Do-228NG MPA was introduced in 2013. Navy is now expecting the delivery of two Harbin Z-9 C helicopters.
To become a three dimensional deterrent force, the Bangladesh Navy is on the process of inducting two off the shelf 035 Ming class submarines from China. A submarine base is under construction at Pekua in Cox's Bazar.[8] The boats are expected to arrive by the year 2015.[9]
A new base for the Bangladesh Navy is being established at Rabanabad in Patuakhali. It will be Bangladesh's largest naval base with submarine berthing and aviation facilities.[10]
BN received it first locally made warship BNS Padma in January 2013. All five units of the Padma-class Patrol Vessels were constructed at Khulna Shipyard (KSY) and all joined BN in 2013. At least two follow-up units of Durjoy-class LPCs are also likely to be built at KSY. An underway replenishment ship for BN made at the Ananda Shipyard was launched in 2013. The ship will significantly increase the length of stay of BN ships in the deep sea. Recently two Landing craft tank (LCT)s were built at Narayanganj Dockyard.[11]
UN Missions, Multinational Exercises & Naval Diplomacy
Bangladesh Navy's first UN mission came in 2005, when a Bangladesh Navy contingent was sent to Sudan as Force Riverine Unit (FRU). This unit consisted of six High Speed Boats, two Recce Boats, one inflatable boat and one support vessel fitted with heavy and light machine guns. The mission served there until 2012. Besides a full contingent in SUDAN, BN has deployed one Riverine Unit (Boat Detachment) in ONUCI (Ivory Coast). It is equipped with 02 x High Speed Boat (RIB 33SC) with heavy and light machine gun. This unit is located at Abidjan and responsible for Lagoon patrol, VVIP protection, evacuation, Search & Rescue operation. In 2014, BN deployed another unit to Mali, under UN Multi- Dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The unit is known as Bangladesh Riverine Unit (BANRU)-1 (Mali), which is equipped with 2 x HSB (High Speed Boat), 4 X RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat), 2 X Gemini Boat and 1 x Support Vessel (Naval Ship).
Bangladesh Navy is currently serving in United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Lebanon since 2010, when two ships BNS Osman and BNS Madhumati were deployed there in May of that year. BN is the third Asian and only subcontinental navy to serve in that volatile region. BN pulled off an extraordinary feat by maintaining the two ships thousands of miles from Bangladesh in the Mediterranean Sea for four long years until June 2014, when the ships were replaced by BNS Ali Haider and BNS Nirmul.[12]
BN ships regularly participate in exercises with other navies, gaining valuable experience and improving their warfighting capabilities. CARAT is a yearly exercise conducted with the US Navy in the Bay of Bengal since 2011. BN has sent an OPV to every MILAN multinational naval exercise held near the Andaman Islands since 2010. AMAN, another multinational exercise held every two years in the Arab Sea, organised by Pakistan, has also been participated by BN frigates since 2009. Exercise Ferocious Falcon in the Parsian Gulf, organized by Qatar, is also participated by frigate BNS Bangabandhu regularly. BNS Abu Bakar participated in 14th Western Pacific Naval Symposium-2014 in China.
BN ships regularly visit other countries, which go a long way to improve relations among countries. Such naval diplomacy has helped uphold a positive image of Bangladesh in front of the rest of the world.
Search for missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370
BN joined in the search operation of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 with BNS Bangabandhu, BNS Umar Farooq and a Dornier Do-228NG MPA in March 2014. The aircraft was a Boeing 777-200ER which gone missing from the sky 12 Malaysian crew members and 227 passengers from 14 nations during the flight from Malaysia to China. Later, BNS Umar Farooq was replaced by BNS Somudra Joy. The search was renewed in May 2014 when an Australian exploration company claimed to have traced aircraft debris in the Bay of Bengal. This time, the BN responded with BNS Anushandhan, a survey vessel equipped with sophisticated side-scan sonar to scan the ocean bed. BNS Bangabandhu accompanied the survey ship. Both the search operations in March and May 2014 produced no evidence of the missing aircraft. The two missions highlighted the efforts of BN to the rest of the world.
Organization and formation
Bangladesh Navy (BN) has its headquarters at Banani, Dhaka. The headquarters has 4 branches, Operations (O), Personnel (P), Material (M) and Logistics (Log). Each branch is headed by officers who are titled as Principal Staff Officer (PSO) and known as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (ACNS), e.g., ACNS (O). Under each PSO there are various Directorates headed by Directors with the rank of Captain. Under each Director there are Deputy Directors (DD) and Staff Officers (SO).
Flag officers holding command or important positions in the Bangladesh Navy are as follows.
Headquarters
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Naval Headquarters Command Structure
| Sleeve insignia | Appointment | Rank and Name |
|---|---|---|
 | Chief of Naval Staff | Vice Admiral M Farid Habib, NBP, ndc, psc |
 | Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) | Rear Admiral A M M M Aurangzeb Chowdhury,(G), NBP, ndc, psc, BN |
| | Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) | Rear Admiral Md Shaheen Iqbal, (TAS), afwc, psc, BN |
| | Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Material) | Rear Admiral S M Arshadul Abedin, (E), BSP, ndc, psc, BN |
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Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Logistics) | Rear Admiral Mohammed Saiful Kabir,(L), OSP, ndu, psc, BN |
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Drafting Authority | Commodore |
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Naval Secretary | Commodore M Mahbub-ul Islam, (N), psc, BN |
Area/Operational Commands
| Sleeve insignia | Appointment | Rank and Name |
|---|---|---|
| | Commander Chittagong Naval Area (COMCHIT) | Rear Admiral Akhtar Habib (ND), ndc, ncc, psc, BN |
| | Commander Khulna Naval Area (COMKHUL) | Commodore M Shamsul Alam, (G), NUP, ndu, psc, BN |
| | Naval Administrative Authority Dhaka (Admin Dhaka) | Commodore Syed Maksumul Hakim,(ND), ndc, ncc, psc, BN |
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Commodore Commanding BN Flotilla (COMBAN) | Commodore M Khaled Iqbal,(ND), ndc, psc, BN |
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Commodore Superintendent Dockyard (CSD) | Commodore Kazi Kamrul Hassan,(L), ndc, psc, BN |
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Special Warfare and Diving and Salvage Command (COMSWADS) | Rear Admiral Akhtar Habib (ND), ndc, ncc, psc, BN (in addition) |
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Commodore Naval Aviation(COMNAV) | Commodore M Abu Ashraf,(TAS), ncc, psc, BN |
List of Chiefs of Naval Staff
- Captain Nurul Haq (up until 6 November 1973)
- Commodore Musharraf Hussain Khan (7 November 1973 - 22 February 1976)
- Rear Admiral Musharraf Hussain Khan (23 February 1976 - 3 November 1979) - served as Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator of Bangladesh from 1975 to 1977 with Ziaur Rahman and M. G. Tawab.
- Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan (4 November 1979 - 6 August 1984)
- Rear Admiral Sultan Ahmed (6 August 1984 - 14 August 1990)
- Rear Admiral Amir Ahmed Mustafa (15 August 1990- 2 May 1991)
- Commodore Muhammad Mohaiminul Islam (4 June 1991 - 17 June 1991)
- Rear Admiral Muhammad Mohaiminul Islam (17 June 1991 - 3 June 1995)
- Rear Admiral Mohammad Nurul Islam (4 June 1995 - 3 June 1999)
- Rear Admiral Abu Taher (4 June 1999 - 3 June 2002)
- Rear Admiral Shah Iqbal Mujtaba (4 June 2002 - 9 January 2005)
- Rear Admiral M Hasan Ali Khan (10 January 2005 - 9 February 2007)
- Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam (10 February 2007 - 28 January 2009)
- Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed (29 January 2009 – 28 January 2013)[13]
- Vice Admiral M Farid Habib (28 January 2013 – Present)[14]
Ranks
Branches
Bangladesh Navy has 6 administrative branches:
- Executive (X)
- Mechanical Engineering (E)
- Electrical Engineering (L)
- Supply & Secretariat (S&S)
- Education
- Medical
D&R
| Serial & Branch | Seaman | Mechanical | Secretariat | Supply | Electrical | Radio Electrical | Regulating | Medical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | OD (Ordinary Seaman) | ME II | WTR II | SA II | EN II | REN II | PM II | MA II |
| 02 | AB (Able Seaman) | ME I | WTR I | SA I | EN I | REN I | PM I | MA I |
| 03 | LS (Leading Seaman) | LME | LWTR | LSA | LEN | LREN | LPM | LMA |
| 04 | PO (Petty Officer) | ERA-IV | PO(W) | PO(S) | EA-IV | REA-IV | PO(R) | PO(Med) |
| 05 | CPO (Chief Petty Officer) | ERA-I/II/III | CPO(W) | CPO(S) | EA-I/II/III | REA-I/II/III | CPO(REG) | CPO(Med) |
| 06 | SCPO (Senior Chief Petty Officer) | SCPO(E), | SCPO(W) | SCPO(S) | SCPO(L),EA-II/II | SCPO(R),REA-II/II | SCPO(Reg) | SCPO(Med) |
| 07 | MCPO (Master Chief Petty Officer) | MCPO(E) | MCPO(S) | MCPO(S) | MCPO(L)/CEA | MCPO(R)/CREA | MCPO(Reg) | MCPO(Med) |
| 08 | Honorary Sub Lieutenant(X) | Hon S Lt(E) | Hon S Lt(S) | Hon S Lt(S) | Hon S Lt(L) | Hon S Lt(R) | Hon S Lt(Reg) | Hon S Lt(W/M) |
| 09 | Honorary Lieutenant(X) | Hon Lt(E) | Hon Lt(S) | Hon Lt(S) | Hon Lt(L) | Hon Lt(R) | Hon Lt(Reg) | Hon Lt(W/M) |
Equipment
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Surface Combatants
| Type | Number of Ships | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frigate | 6+1 | 1 Ulsan Class Frigate, 3 Jhiangu Class Frigate,1 Sailsbury Class Ftigate, 1 Hamilton Class Cutter, 1 Hamilton Class cutter are coming to join Bangladesh Navy, |
| Corvette | 4+2 | Two Type-056 corvettes are under construction in China and scheduled to join navy by 2015.[15] |
| Offshore Patrol Vessel | 11 | Khulna Shipyard has delivered five indigenous Padma Class OPV in 2013 |
| Fast Attack Craft-Missile | 9 | 4 Boats have been upgraded with C-704 AShM. |
| Fast Attack Craft-ASW | 4 | 2 Yugoslavian built and 2 Chinese built ASW craft in service. |
| Fast Attack Craft-Gun | 11 | |
| Torpedo Boats | 4 | 4 Type 25-Class Torpedo Boats acquired from China. |
| Training Ship | 1 | An Ex-RN Island-class OPV |
| Mine Warfare | 5 | Mainly used as offshore patrol vessels. |
| Amphibious Warfare | 11 | Two LCUs are under construction at KSY and two LCTs are under construction at DEW Narayanganj. |
| Survey Ship | 2 | |
| Auxiliaries | 13 | |
| Rapid Response Boat | 16 | USCG Defender-class boats |
Bangladesh Naval Aviation
Bangladesh Naval Aviation started its journey on 14 July 2011 with the induction of two AgustaWestland AW109 helicopters. On 27 December 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated Naval Aviation in Chittagong. Bangladesh Naval Aviation operates from Chittagong Air Station. Forward Operation bases are in Patuakhali, Cox's Bazar, Dhaka and Khulna.
In July 2013, the Bangladesh Navy acquired two Dornier 228 New Generation aircraft for maritime patrol.[16]
| Aircraft | Picture | Origin | Type | Version | Quantity | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters 2 (3 On Order) | ||||||
| AgustaWestland AW109 |  |  Italy | ASW SAR | KN | 2 | Delivered on 14 July 2011. |
| Harbin Z-9 |  |  China | ASW SAR | C | 3 | On order. |
| Fixed Wing Aircraft (2) | ||||||
| Dornier 228 NG |  |  Germany | MPA | NG | 2 | Delivered on 3 June 2013. |
Guided Weapons
| Name | Type | Version | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-802 | Anti Ship Missile | C-802A | China | Type 053H1 frigate BNS Osman, Type 053H2 frigates (BNS Abu Bakr & BNS Ali Haider) |
| C-704 | Anti Ship Missile | A | China | Castle Class, Durjoy Class, Type 021-class missile boat |
| Otomat | Anti Ship Missile | Mk.2 Block IV | Italy | BNS Bangabandhu, received in 2000-01 |
| Silkworm | Anti Ship Missile | SY-1 & HY-2 | China | Type 024 class missile boat |
| FM-90 | Point Defence SAM System | N | China | BNS Bangabandhu |
| A244-S | Torpedo | Italy |
Small Arms
| Name | Type | Caliber | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 92 | Semi-automatic pistol | 9mm | China | Standard issue sidearm. |
| Type 54 | Semi-automatic pistol | 7.62x25 | China | In special Forces and reserve use. |
| SIG Sauer P226/228/229 | Semi-automatic pistol | 9mm | Germany | Switzerland |
| Type 56 | Assault rifle | 7.62mm | Bangladesh | Upgraded version of Ak-47. Produced under license by BOF. |
| BD-08 | Assault rifle | 7.62mm | Bangladesh | Produced under license by BOF. |
| M4A1 | Assault rifle | 5.45mm | USA | SWADS. |
| Daewoo K2 | Assault rifle | 5.45mm | S.Korea | SWADS. |
| M24 sniper rifle | sniper rifle | 7.62mm | USA | SWADS. |
| Heckler and Koch MP5 | sub-machine gun | 9mm | Germany | |
| Daewoo K7 | sub-machine gun | 9mm | S.Korea | |
| BD-08 | Light machine gun | 7.62mm | Bangladesh | Produced under license by BOF. |
| DShK | Heavy machine gun | 12.7mm | Russia |
Marines and Special Forces
The Bangladesh Navy maintains a Special Operations unit known as the SWADS. On 27 dec 11, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina commissioned SWADS base as BNS Nirvik at Danger Char opposite to BNS Isa Khan. The current strength of the unit is classified.
Future Expansion Plan
Bangladesh has made a long term modernization plan for its Armed Forces named Forces Goal 2030.[17] Under this goal, navy will be a three-dimensional deterrent force with operations in air, surface and under-water.[17] At the same time it has a plan to increase its surface combat capability by adding more ships as well as upgrading the current fleet.[17]
Bangladesh Navy ordered two Type 056 corvettes from China. The navy has a plan for replacing its age old Fast Attack Craft (Missile) fleet by 2021. Another US Coastguard Cutter is joining Bangladesh Navy in 2015.[18]
Bangladseh Navy has signed a contract to make two Durjoy-class LPCs at Khulna Shipyard in 2014. There is a plan to make at least six Durjoy-class LPCs and at least two Type 056 corvettes here in near future.
Bangladesh Navy has sought ৳50 billion (US$550 million) from the government to buy two new frigates and ৳10 billion (US$175 million) for two old frigates by 2020.[19] Sources stated that, within 2016 Bangladseh Navy will get 11 naval vessels.
Bangladesh navy has ordered two 035 Ming class submarines from China worth $200million in 2014 and have a plan to procure two more in 2020. The Ming class submarines will join navy by the year 2015.[9] A submarine base is under construction at Pekua in Cox's Bazar.[8]
Bangladesh Navy has a plan to set up a new base at Rabanabad in Patuakhali, which will be the largest naval base of the country. The base will have submarine berthing and aviation facilities.[10]
Bangladesh Naval Academy
Bangladesh Naval Academy is the commissioned officer training academy of Bangladesh Navy located at the port city Chittagong.This academy is highly renowned for its training facilities provied to both home and foreign cadets.
See also
- SWADS
- Bangladesh Army
- Bangladesh Air Force
- Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC)
- Bangladesh Coast Guard
References
- ↑ "Chapter 6: Asia". The Military Balance (2015 ed.). International Institute for Strategic Studies. 17 February 2015. pp. 229–231. ISBN 9781857436426. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- ↑ "BN History". Bangladesh Navy. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
- ↑ "Bangladesh Navy - Modernization". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ↑ "Navy being upgraded as a global standard force: PM". Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ↑ "PM: Navy to get two submarines by 2015". Dhaka Tribune. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ↑ http://banglapedia.org/HT/W_0020.htm
- ↑ http://www.bangladeshnavy.org/liber.html
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://primenews.com.bd/details/17340
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Navy to get 2 submarines by next year". The Daily Star. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Shorwar Hossain. "Largest naval base to be in Patuakhali: PM". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ↑ "2 more warships added to Navy fleet". Bangla News 24 - News and Entertainment 24 X 7. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ↑ "Bangladesh Navy Ship in Lebanon United Nation UNIFIL ~ Bangladesh Defence". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ↑ "Bangladesh Navy". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ↑ "Farid Habib new Navy chief". bdnews24.com. 2013-01-20. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
- ↑ http://www.imdexasia.com/pdfs/AMI-Naval-Mkt-HN-March2013.pdf
- ↑ "PM hopes to buy submarine". The Daily Star. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Forces Goal 2030 to be implemented in four phases: PM". New Age. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
- ↑ Mosharrof Hossain. "US offers naval ship to Bangladesh". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ↑ http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=229349:navy-seeks-tk-14000cr-to-strengthen-force&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121 Navy seeks Tk 14,000cr to strengthen force
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Navy of Bangladesh. |
- Official site of Bangladesh navy
- Join Bangladesh Navy
- Official site of Bangladesh Coast Guard
- Bangladesh Navy on Virtual Bangladesh
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