The Bangladesh Government has agreed to procure two submarines and a coast guard cutter, as part of its modernisation of the country’s navy and boosting capabilities in the Bay of Bengal, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced.
Without disclosing the name of the country from where the vessels will be procured and the purchase completion period, Hasina said that negotiations were currently underway with a country that is an ally of Bangladesh.
The coast guard cutter will be procured from the US, as reported by Thedailystar.net.
Commenting on the acquisition, Hasina was earlier quoted by Agence France Presse as saying: "We will build a modern three-dimensional navy for future generations, which will be capable of facing any challenge during a war on our maritime boundary."
The decision comes after the government signed a $1bn defence agreement with Russia this month to deliver soldier training, helicopters and anti-tank missiles for its armed forces.
The government is also considering long-term plans to be implemented by 2020 intended to prevent arms trafficking and smuggling, and protect the sea resources of the country through round-the-clock patrolling.
Meanwhile, the minister revealed that the country has already procured missile and torpedoes to strike against enemy vessels, as well as depth-charges, rocket launchers, canons, radar and other weapons for the navy.
The navy recently commissioned a new domestically-built 50m-long and 7.5m-wide frigate, BNS Padma, which is armed with four 37mm and two 20mm cannons, and capable of laying mines and countering land and air attacks.
