On November 14, 2016, the Bangladesh Navy officially took delivery of two Type 035G diesel electric submarines (SSKs) in a ceremony held at Liaonan Shipyard in Dalian, China. These refurbished Chinese-made 035G diesel-electric submarines (also known as Ming-class submarines) from the 1990s, represent the culmination of the Bangladesh Navy’s achievement of what Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called a “three-dimensional force” — air, surface, and subsurface combat capabilities capable of enforcing Bangladesh’s sovereignty in the Bay of Bengal.
Bangladesh’s military has finally inducted these two submarines into its fleet on the 12th of March 2017. They have been dubbed ‘BNS Nobojatra’ and ‘BNS Joyjatra’. They subs were commissioned at the Issa Khan Base, Patenga through a colorful ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the highest ranking officials from Bangladesh’s military.
Speaking at a handing over ceremony at the naval base in the southeastern port city of Chittagong, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh’s navy had now entered “a new era” after the induction of the two Chinese-made submarines.
The premier later laid the foundation stone of a submarine base in Pekua in the coastal city of Cox’s Bazar.
As part of Bangladeshi governments’ initiatives for reinforcement of its naval forces, the country bought the submarines from China for $203 million in November last year. The two submarines, procured from China, reached Chittagong Port on December 22.
These type 035G diesel electric submarines, which are 76 meters in length and 7.6 meters in width, are equipped with torpedoes and mines capable of attacking enemy warships and submarines. They can achieve a top speed of 17 nautical miles per hour, according to the military’s statement.
Photo courtesy: PID
