Future Expansion Plan
The Government of Bangladesh announced an ambitious defense procurement plan in February 2009 for a major purchase of weaponry, equipment and hardware for its armed forces, including anti-tank and anti-ship missile systems, aircraft for maritime patrol, frigates, tanks and helicopters. The Parliamentary standing committee in principle agreed to a 10-year development program in June 2009, under which the navy is to acquire 3 missile frigates, 3 large offshore patrol vessels with helicopter deck (2 already acquired, with a third in the process), 12 patrol craft, submarines, 2 landing craft (utility), 2 hydro-graphic research ship ( 1 acquired), 1 salvage vessel, 4 Fast Attack Craft (Missile) and install guided weapons systems in some ships to strengthen their combat capability. Following BNS Osman, BNS Bangabandhu, the most modern ship of Bangladesh Navy, is going to be equipped with maritime helicopter, air defence and anti-ship missile. Bangladesh Navy is currently in the process of replacing its three age-old ex-Royal Navy frigates (BNS Abu Bakar, BNS Ali Haider and BNS Umar Farooq) with modern frigates within the next couple of years and also preparing to add submarines to its fleet by 2019.
In 2010 BN has signed a contract with China Shipbuilding and Offshore Company (CSOC) to build two Large Patrol Craft in Wuchang Shipyard in China. These ships will be of 600 tons and will be armed with 4 X C-704 SSM, 1 X 76.2 mm gun with FCS and RDC. Under a separate contract with CSOC, BN will construct 5 Patrol Craft of 350 tons at Khulna Shipyard with Chinese technical assistance. BN has also signed a contract for the delivery additional C-704 SSM and QW-2 shoulder launched SAM. The C-704 SSMs will be fitted on board the existing quad-launcher missile boats as part of mid-life upgrade. Two AW 109E helicopters arrived in Bangladesh on 14 June 2011 and after being reassembled are now in active service. Another contract has been signed on 23 June 2011 with Ruag Germany for the delivery of two Dornier 228 NG MPA within the next 24 months.
As of April,2010 the rapid modernization program of BN involves order of:
- 2x F-22B guided missile frigate (China),
- 2x Jianghu-III guided missile frigate (China),
- 2x 600 ton large patrol craft/missile corvette (China),
- 1x Hydrographic Survey ship (Indigenous),
- 1x Fleet Replenishment Oil Tanker (Indigenous),
- 2x LCU (Indigenous),
- 1x Salvage ship (Indigenous),
- 12x Patrol boats -Indigenous,
- 3x Harbin Z-9C Anti-Submarine helicopter (China),
- C-802 ASM missiles for 3 frigate and 4 missile boats (China),
- FM-90N SAM for 3 frigates (China) - already fitted on board BNS Bangabandhu.
- 2x guided missile corvette (Tender won by China)
On discussion:
- 3x guided missile frigates in addition to the couple ordered from (China / South Korea),
- New generation of light and heavy Torpedoes (EU + China),
- 4x guided missile corvette (Turkey - Milgem),
- 3x Submarine (Turkey / Germany / South Korea).
Read more about this topic: Bangladesh Navy
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