Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first submarine base of Bangladesh ‘BNS Sheikh Hasina’ at Pekua in Cox’s Bazar on Monday. Hailing the newly inaugurated naval base as an ‘ultra modern submarine base’, Prime Minister called the event a proud chapter in the history of Bangladesh navy.
Inaugurating the submarine base virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka, Prime Minister Hasina said that the newly commissioned submarine base would help navy increase its operational capacity to secure the vast marine resources. Ships passing through the Bay of Bengal also can take help from the base, said Sheikh Hasina.
Prime Minister Hasina said that her government has been working on ‘Forces Goal 2030’ to transform its military force into a modern organisation suitable for the times. She said that two submarines were added to the fleet of Bangladesh Navy in March 2017 which has turned it into a three dimensional naval force. She said the country is building ships in local shipyards for its own use as well as for others. Bangladesh Navy has completed the construction of five patrol craft including large ones in Khulna shipyard, she said.
Highlighting the growing strength of Bangladesh Navy, Prime Minister Hasina said that in the last 14 years, a total of 31 warships, including 4 frigates, 6 corvettes, 4 large patrol crafts, 5 patrol crafts and 2 training ships were added to its fleet.
The Government of Bangladesh signed an agreement with China in September 2019 for the construction of the submarine base. The groundbreaking function was held in February 2021.