Bangladesh Navy to get two submarines this year: PM Sheikh Hasina

"The much-awaited two submarines are going to be added to the navy fleet this year and it would transform the navy into a three dimensional force," she said.

Addressing the commissioning ceremony of the three warships at the Naval Berth in BN base Isha Khan here on Saturday morning, the Premier also said "a platform" for the submarines is being built at Narayanganj Shipyard through own technology.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has undertaken programmes to construct warships in its own management, adding a plan has also been taken to build warships in the Chittagong Dry Dock in future.

She said maritime helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft were inducted into the navy during the tenure of the present government, while the work on constructing two corvettes is underway in China for further modernization of the navy.

Spelling out various measures the government undertaken for the development of the navy, the Prime Minister said, coming to power in 2009, her government framed the Forces Goal-2030 in continuation of the trend of implementation of guidelines of the Father of the Nation.

As part of the gradual implementation process, she said, 18 state -of-the art warships including frigates, corvettes and patrol vessels as well as survey vessels and fleet tankers and container vessels have already been inducted into the navy fleet.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken various initiatives to raise moral values and professional knowledge of the members of the naval force side by side with its infrastructure development.

She said "Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University" has been established under the initiative of the present government with the cooperation of Bangladesh Navy to further strengthen the position of the navy as well as to play a leading role by the force in maintaining world peace.

In this connection, the Prime Minister also mentioned that the construction work of Bangabandhu Complex is progressing fast to ensure modern and world standard training at the Naval Academy.

The Prime Minister in her speech also congratulated the Navy on being selected for this year's Independence Award in recognition of the heroic contribution during the war of liberation as well as for the role in safeguarding country's water boundary and sovereignty.

The Prime Minister termed Bangladesh as a country of huge possibilities and said it has all kinds of necessary environment and ability to be developed as a strong and dynamic economy in the world.

While talking about her government's "Blue Economy" initiative, the Premier said the land resources of the world are depleting fast due to their continued extraction.

"So the focus of the entire world is now on the marine resources...the present government has also taken necessary steps for proper utilization of the sea resources through Blue Economy," she said.

Pointing out the "endless importance" of the marine resources in the country's economic uplift, Sheikh Hasina said the role of Bangladesh Navy in safeguarding the maritime boundary and its resources is undeniable due to strategic reasons and geographic location of Bangladesh.

At the outset of her speech, the Prime Minister paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as well as all navy members including Beershreshtha Ruhul Amin who laid down their lives in the great War of Liberation.

Highlighting the background of the establishment of Bangladesh Navy, she said the journey of Bangladesh Navy began through two patrol craft -- Padma and Palash--procured from India with the sincere efforts of the Father of the Nation.

The Premier said Bangabandhu, who expressed his steadfast commitment to build a modern navy in independent Bangladesh, had recognized the advancement of navy by giving first "Naval Ensign" to BN Ship Isha Khan in 1974.

"In line with the commitment of Bangabandhu, we had undertaken a plan to build Bangladesh Navy as a 'modern and professional force' after coming to power in 1996."

Sheikh Hasina said her government wants to build Bangladesh Navy as a more strong force. "We want to establish the country's all organizations in such a way so that they can move keeping pace with the world," she said.

In this connection, she assured that her government would continue extend all kinds of assistance to further strengthen Bangladesh Navy.

She also extended her heartfelt thanks to the government of the friendly countries for constant support to the development of Bangladesh generally and navy particularly.

"We are grateful to them for allout support to modernize the sensors, armament and machinery of Bangladesh Navy ships," she said.

The Premier said through the commissioning of three warships, Bangladesh Navy moved another step forward. "This day is not only a pride of the navy, it's also a pride of the whole country and nation."

She expressed her firm belief that the three ships would perform their responsibilities boldly for a long time.

Of the three ships, BN Ship Samudra Obhijan was procured from the USA, while BN Ship Swadhinata and BN Ship Pratya were constructed in China.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina thanked the United States and China for their continued support to strengthen and make Bangladesh Navy time-befitting.

Earlier, the Prime Minister handed over the commissioning "forman" (order) to the commanding officers of the ships, through which the ships began their formal operational activities. She later unveiled the nameplates of the three ships.

Earlier, on her arrival at BN base Isha Khan, Sheikh Hasina was received by Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed and Commander of Chittagong Naval Region Rear Admiral M Akhtar Habib.

Ministers, PM's advisers, parliament members, the chiefs of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

The Premier also witnessed a joint exercise of different warships and the Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (SWADS). At that time one helicopter and two maritime patrol aircraft saluted the PM through fly past.

She also boarded the newly-inducted ships of the navy and went round their different sections.