Padma-class patrol vessel

Class overview
Name:	Padma class
Builders:	Khulna Shipyard[1]
Operators:	Bangladesh Navy
Built:	2011-2013
In commission:	2013-present
Planned:	23
Completed:	5
Active:	5
General characteristics
Type:	Patrol vessel
Displacement:	350 tons
Length:	165.35 ft (50.40 m)
Beam:	24.61 ft (7.50 m)
Draught:	13.45 ft (4.10 m)
Propulsion:	2 shafts, 2 diesels
Speed:	23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph)
Endurance:	7 days
Complement:	45
Armament:	2 × 37 mm canon; 2 × 20 mm AAA guns; Naval mines

The Padma class is a class of offshore patrol vessels of the Bangladesh Navy.^[2] These ships were the first ever warships built in Bangladesh. The ships are constructed at the Khulna Shipyard, through a development program overseen and supported by the CSIC.

History

Under a long term modernization plan for its armed forces, the Government of Bangladesh decided to order arms from internal contractors. The first step taken was to order warships for the Bangladesh Navy from Khulna Shipyard. Khulna Shipyard signed the construction contract with the Bangladesh Navy on 2 May 2010 and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction on 5 March 2011. The first-ever warship built in Bangladesh, BNS Padma was launched on 8 October 2012 and commissioned into the Bangladesh Navy on 24 January 2013. The second patrol craft in the class, BNS Surma, was launched on 23 January 2013 and commissioned into the Bangladesh Navy on 29 August 2013. The other three ships BNS Aparajeya, BNS Adamya and BNS Atandra were handed over to the Bangladesh Navy on 15 December 2013.^[3][4] These three ships were commissioned on 23 December 2013.^[5]

Design

The launch of the first indigenous Bangladeshi warship paved the way for the Bangladesh Navy to soon deploy its own design. Built at the Khulna Shipyard, the design is an offshore patrol vessel that displaces 350 tonnes. The ships are 165.35 feet (50.40 m) long, with a beam of 24.61 ft (7.50 m) and a draught of 13.45 ft (4.10 m). The ships can can carry out missions lasting up to seven days at a time. They have a complement of 45 personnel with a top speed of 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph).

Armament

The ships of this class are equipped with a pair of 37 mm naval guns and another pair of 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. Besides these ships can lay mines and can carry MANPADs.

Ships in the class

See also

• List of active ships of the Bangladesh Navy

References