Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh Navy added another warship, “BNS Bhashkhali”, to its fleet as part of its ongoing development.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan attended the commissioning as the chief guest at the Khulna Naval Berth on Saturday.

Upon his arrival at the venue, the Commander of the Khulna Naval Area welcomed Admiral Hasan. A Navy team provided a guard of honour.

PSOs of the Navy Headquarters, freedom fighters, senior military and civilian officials, and prominent figures, attended the ceremony.

Khulna Shipyard built the ship using domestic technology.

The Navy chief handed the commissioning order to the ship’s captain and formally unveiled the nameplate, following Navy customs.

“BNS Bhashkhali”, named after the Bhashkhali River, first joined the Navy in 1978 and actively participated in various operational activities. After serving for 36 years protecting the nation's territorial waters, the Navy decommissioned the ship in 2014.

On December 2, 2019, the Navy began reconstructing the ship at the Khulna Shipyard. The Navy handed over the newly built ship, the 5th vessel of the 41st Patrol Craft Squadron, on November 22, 2023.

The ship measures 51.6 metres in length and 7.5 meters in width and can reach a maximum speed of 21 nautical miles per hour. It is equipped with modern technology, including a 40 mm Bofors gun, two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, mine-laying rails, advanced surveillance radar, GPS, an echo-sounder system, and various other combat equipment.

In his speech, the Navy Chief expressed optimism about the continued growth of the Bangladesh Navy as a modern, powerful, and capable force. He said that a strong Navy is essential for protecting the country's independence and sovereignty, supporting economic development, and meeting geopolitical needs.

Bangladesh Navy has evolved into a proficient three-dimensional force through its expanding capabilities, he added.

Admiral Hasan said that the ship ‘BNS Bhashkhali’, built with domestic technology, marks a significant milestone for the Navy. The ship, like other naval warships, will play a crucial role in national service, conducting operations such as river and maritime boundary patrols, preventing smuggling and illegal fishing, protecting commercial vessels from piracy, intercepting contraband including drugs, performing search and rescue operations, and other duties.

Building warships in the Navy’s own shipyard creates jobs, saves foreign currency, and transitions the Navy from a Buyer Navy to a Builder Navy, the Navy chief adeed.

He expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the construction and commissioning ceremony.