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PM for strengthening Navy to protect sea areas

Published at 02:35 pm June 18th, 2020

File photo: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chairs a virtual meeting, held via videoconference with the National Disaster Management Council regarding cyclone Amphan, from her official residence in Dhaka on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 PID

She said many modern equipment, including ships, have already been procured for the naval force

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed the need for strengthening Bangladesh Navy to better protect the country’s vast maritime area.

“It is essential to make our Navy stronger in order to protect the sea area,” she said on Thursday while commissioning the BNS Sangram through video conference from her official residence Ganobhaban, reports UNB.

Navy chief Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury, on behalf of the Prime Minister, formally handed over the commissioning foremen of the ship to captain Arifur Rahman at the BNS Issa Khan Naval Base in Chattogram.

The Prime Minister asked the Navy to protect the vast sea area that Bangladesh gained through peaceful settlement of disputes with two neighbouring countries, as Bangladesh hopes to utilize marine resources to boost the country’s economy.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina commissions the BNS Sangram through video conference from her official residence Ganobhaban, and Navy chief Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury, on behalf of the Prime Minister, formally hands over the commissioning foremen of the ship to captain Arifur Rahman at the BNS Issa Khan Naval Base in Chattogram on Thursday, June 18, 2020 | ISPR

“We don’t want to fight with anyone. We want peace. But we want to develop our forces with modern technology and knowledge while keeping pace with the times, so that we are ready to face anyone that attacks us,” she said.

The premier said that all sections of the Bangladesh Army will be equipped with modern technology in time.

She said many modern equipment, including ships, have already been procured for the naval force.

The Prime Minister also said she has handed over the Khulna shipyard and two other dry docks in Narayanganj and Chittagong to the Navy.

Regarding ship building, she said Bangladesh is working in joint ventures with friendly countries because it is essential to do so in this sector.

“We'll have to be learned, prepared, and have knowledge on technology as well, so that we can build ships on our own in the future and can even export if necessary.” she said.

The BNS Sangram will leave for Lebanon on Friday to take part in a UN peacekeeping mission.