Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said despite financial limitations her government was firm about providing a skilled, modern and balanced “three-dimensional” Navy for the nation.
Hasina expressed her hope of procuring a submarine for Bangladesh Navy (BN) in the future, and said: “Most people of Bangladesh are not aware enough of the importance of the sea and marine resources.
The Navy and Coastguard safeguard our seas and face various adversities now and then.”
The premier was addressing a function to confer the National Standard on BNS Bangabandhu and handed over the commissioning orders to captains of Bangladesh Navy’s ships.
At the ceremony, two Dornier marine patrol aircrafts procured from Germany, plus two large patrol crafts, “Durjoy” and “Nirmul” that were built in China and another patrol craft, “Surma” that was built in Khulna Shipyard were also commissioned into the navy.
Hasina also handed over induction orders to the captains of the marine patrol aircrafts.
After the ceremony the Prime Minister boarded BNS Bangabandhu and BNS Nirmul to inspect them.
The ceremony was attended by cabinet members, members of parliament, acting army chief, and chiefs of BN and the air force, as well as diplomats, high civil and military officials, and special advisors to the PM.