Bangladesh adds two submarines to its armada

Bangladesh Navy has entered a new era with two China-made 035G diesel-electric submarines inducted into its fleet now.

BNS Nabajatra and BNS Joyjatra were commissioned on Sunday by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Issa Khan Naval Base in Chittagong.

The prime minister unveiled the nameplates of the submarines, amid balloons and fire-crackers set off from several other navy ships docked at the base followed by a gun-salute welcoming the newest additions to the fleet.

Hasina then addressed the ceremony before taking a tour of the submarines.

She handed over the commissioning order to Nabajatra Captain Commander KM Mamunur Rashid and Joyjatra Captain Lieutenant Commander Mazharul Islam. The crew boarded the submarines on permission of the prime minister.

The national anthem was played ​with hoisting ​of the national flag on the two submarines.

The prime minister later witnessed an introduction exhibition on achieving capability of a three-dimensional force by the navy.

The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said, the 76-metre-long and 7.6-metre-wide submarines can achieve a top speed of 17 nautical miles per hour.

Armed with torpedoes and mines, they are able to track and attack enemy ships and submarines, said the ISPR.

In November last year, Chinese Rear Admiral Liu Zizhu handed the submarines over to Bangladesh Navy chief Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed at a ceremony in Dalian city in China's Liaoning province.

After 'sea trials' and training of naval officers and submariners, the submarines docked in Chittagong on Dec 22.

According to a November 2016 report by Chinese media outlet 'Yibada', 12 Type 035G submarines were built and commissioned for the People's Liberation Army Navy between 1990 and 1999.

Bangladesh bought two of them in 2016.

Before handing over to Bangladesh, the submarines went through renovations at the Liaoning shipyard.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Hasina also inaugurated the Base Support Facilities for the submarines and laid the foundation stone for a separate base for them, the 'BNS Sheikh Hasina.'

In the afternoon, she inaugurated a water treatment plant commissioned by Chittagong WASA and attend a civil gathering at the Patenga Boat Club.