Navy to be developed as 3-dimensional force: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday revealed the government's mega plan for building Bangladesh Navy as a deterrent, three-dimensional force by incorporating submarines, helicopters, missiles, new frigates and other necessary modern equipment and vessels.
Addressing the officers and sailors at the Naval Headquarters' Multipurpose Hall, she said soon two more frigates will be included to Bangladesh Navy.
Besides, as a long-term plan of the government to modernise the Navy, three old British frigates will be reset in the force.
The prime minister further said that during her recent China visit, she had requested the Chinese government to provide Bangladesh Naval Force with two newly constructed frigates, including helicopter, and the Chinese government gave its consent to this.
Besides, naval ship Bangabandhu, which was decommissioned during the last BNP-Jamaat government on political grounds, will be made fully operational again, she said.
She further disclosed that signing of agreement has already been completed to buy two helicopters and missiles while the process for procuring two offshore patrol vessels from the United Kingdom is at the last stage.
Moreover, work is also proceeding to procure a Hydrographic Survey Vessel from UK and the process is underway in China to equip two Large Patrol Craft with missiles, Hasina said.
Besides, she said the government is also trying to procure maritime patrol aircraft, modernise four missile boats and two patrol aircrafts by adding missiles, develop special Naval force SWADS, the Navy's fleet air system by incorporating surface to air missiles and air defense system.
The prime minister said that these plans and programmes will be implemented by 2012.
“We also have a plan to equip our Navy with submarine with base facilities to build it as a deterrent force by 2019,” she said.
Within this time, the government will take all necessary steps for setting up the naval force's own air base, jetty for ship berthing, training school and accommodation facilities for officers and sailors, she said.
“If the plan, which has been chalked out for modernisation of Navy, continues, Insha-Allah you will advance much to build a three-dimensional force by 2021,” she added.
The prime minister urged the members of Bangladesh Navy to maintain the chain of command and work with outmost sincerity, honesty and punctuality to safeguard the country's maritime boundaries and other valuable resources.
She said in the process of modernising the Naval force, the government will not hesitate to make budgetary allocation.
The prime minister also replied to some questions from the Navy members.
A member of the Navy requested the Prime Minister to ensure housing facilities for them like other defense forces of the country.
Replying to another question, the prime minister said the government is actively considering Sea Allowance for the members of the Navy.
Earlier, the prime minister separately addressed the officers of Bangladesh Navy when she thanked the Navy for protecting the country's sovereignty, sea resources and vast population of the coastal areas with limited number of vessels and work force.
She also recalled the great contributions and sacrifices of
Bangladesh naval force during the liberation war and prayed for salvation of the martyrs.
The prime minister expressed her happiness as two naval ships of Bangladesh Navy are very soon going to join the UN peacekeeping mission.
Bangladesh becomes the first country in South Asia to send two warships - BNS Osman and BNS Madhumati - to the UN Peacekeeping Mission, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon).
The warships will leave Chittagong seaport for Lebanon today.
Earlier, on her arrival at the Naval Headquarters, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral ZU Ahmed.
A smartly turned out contingent of Navy gave guard of honor to the prime minister.
The prime minister took salute and inspected the guard. She also planted a tree at the Naval Headquarters Garden.