2 modern warships commissioned

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday commissioned two modern warships – BNS Abu Bakar and BNS Ali Haider – procured from China as part of modernising the country’s naval force.

Chittagong Bureaubdnews24.com
Published : 1 March 2014, 12:34 PM
Updated : 1 March 2014, 12:34 PM

The two modern frigates will replace two of their namesakes which were procured from the UK.

The Prime Minister handed over the commissioning orders of the two ships to the captains and formally unveiled their plaques at the naval berth of Bangladesh Navy at BNS Naval Base Isa Khan in Chittagong.

Earlier on her arrival at the BNS Naval Base Isa Khan, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M Farid Habib and Commander of the Chittagong Naval Zone Rear Admiral M Akhter Habib.

On her arrival, a smarty turned-out contingent of Naval Aviation gave a guard of honour to her. Sheikh Hasina inspected the guard and took salutes. At that time ship bells rang and flags were hoisted.

Later, the Prime Minister boarded the largest BN Ship Samudra Joy and BNS Abu Bakar.

The two warships arrived at Chittagong Naval Jetty on January 9.

Earlier on January 22, the first two frigate ships, BNS Abu Bakar and BNS Ali Haider were de-commissioned from Bangladesh Navy at a programme at BNS Isha Khan Jetty in Chittagong.

Cabinet members, Prime Minister’s Security Adviser, parliament members, the chiefs of Bangladesh Army and Air Force, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present at the function marking the commissioning of two modern warships.

After the commissioning programme, she distributed cheques to the people who were affected by violence unleashed by terrorists in Chittagong region after February last year.