Bangladesh Navy introduces two new frigates into its fleet

The Bangladesh Navy has introduced two new frigates, BNS Shadhinota and BNS Prottoy, into its fleet as part of efforts to boost its naval capabilities.

By Ranjith Dharma

The Bangladesh Navy has introduced two new frigates, BNS Shadhinota and BNS Prottoy, into its fleet as part of efforts to boost its naval capabilities.

The warships have been built by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co under a contract awarded to China Ship Building Company by the Bangladesh Government in 2012.

Construction on the vessels commenced on 7 January 2013, reported bdnews24.com.

“They can also carry out maritime monitoring and patrols, as well as being involved in search-and-rescue missions.”

Ships construction project director commander AKM Faruk Hasan was quoted by the publication as saying that the new 90m-long and 11m-wide frigates have a displacement capacity of around 1,300t and can cruise at a maximum speed of 25k.

Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group deputy general manager Cai Libin stated that the ships can detect, identify and destroy surface and aerial targets. They can also carry out maritime monitoring and patrols, as well as being involved in search-and-rescue missions.

With a capacity to carry around 80 crew members, and featuring their own helipads, both the ships have been installed with 76mm and 30mm naval guns, in addition to ship-to-ship and ship-to-air missiles.

Bangladesh Navy naval staff assistant chief and rear admiral Syed Abu Mansur Arshadul Abedin was earlier quoted as saying the frigate will be the most advanced in the service, which will be a boost to its coastal defence capability.