Navy to have 2 submarines by 2015

CHITTAGONG: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced Saturday that Bangladesh Navy is going to have two submarines to its fleet by 2015. “Inshaallah, two submarines will be added to the naval force by next year,” she expressed her high hope while awarding National Standard to BNS Osman at Naval Berth here. The Prime Minister also said a process is on to set up the biggest naval base at Rabanabad in Patuakhali with facilities for submarine berthing and aviation alongside increasing the fighting fleet and constructing the own air base of the Navy, according to a news agency. Underscoring the need for making the maritime area congenial and safer, she said: “It’s imperative to ensure a favourable atmosphere and security in the maritime area for extracting sea resources and securing trade. The naval force has to perform an important role in this regard,” she said.
BNS Osman has been awarded with the National Standard for its outstanding contribution at home and abroad for the last 25 years, including its engagement in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon for last four years, which earned glory for the country. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh Navy has been upgraded to another level of its continued advancement as BNS Osman has been awarded the National Standard, and termed the day a glorious one for the nation and the Armed Forces, including the Navy itself. Following the steps taken by her government, Sheikh Hasina said, the disputes over the maritime boundary with Myanmar were resolved in 2012 while with India this year through the judgments by the international courts.
As a result, the country’s claims over the sea territory equal its land area as well as its control has been established over sea resources while the government has taken various plans, including collecting sea resources and ensuring their maximum utilisation, she said.