Future of the Bangladesh Navy

The 'Bangladesh Navy modernization program is a part of ambitious Forces Goal 2030. The Navy has been focusing on developing and expanding it's naval fleet as a part of its goal establishing a three dimensional maritime forces that can effectively operate of Land, Air and Sea in times of War.^[1] The modernization program was first introduced in 2012, after a maritime confrontation between Bangladesh and Myanmar which demonstrated Bangladesh Navy's requirement for fleet expenditure to keep influence over its neighbor.^[2] During the first phase of the modernization (2012-2015), 20 combat ships have been introduced to the Naval fleet, including two High endurance frigate from United States and two Type 056 corvette from China.^[3] Furthermore, Stealth ship Durjoy-class, Padma-class and Landing Crafts were constructed at indigenous shipyards. Bangladesh Navy outlined it's intention to build a 150 ship navy by 2030, and produce frigate and corvette indigenous in Bangladeshi ship yards.^[4]

Surface Fleet

Amphibious Warfare

San Giorgio-class

Dokdo-class

Class	Ship	Type	Builders	Displacement	Homeport	Commissioning
San Giorgio-class	BNS	Amphibious transport dock	Fincantieri	7,980 tonnes	Chittagong	2020
Dokdo-class	BNS	Landing Platform Helicopter	Hanjin Heavy Industries	14,000 tonnes	Chittagong	2020

Submarine

Ming-class

Kilo-class

Class	Ship	Type	Builders	Displacement	Homeport	Commissioning
Type 035 (Ming-class)	BNS	Submarine	Wuchang Shipyard	1,830 tonnes	Cox's Bazzar	2016 [5]
	BNS					2016
Attack Submarine Kilo-Class-Submarine	BNS	Submarine	Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering "Rubin"	2,350 tons	Cox's Bazzar	2019
	BNS					2019
	BNS					2019 [6]

Destroyers

Hatsuyuki-class Destroyer

Class	Ship	Type	Builders	Displacement	Homeport	Commissioning
Hatsuyuki-class	BNS		Destroyer	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries	Chittagong	2021

Frigate

Hamilton-class

Type-054 class

Gepard-class

Class	Ship	Type	Builders	Displacement	Homeport	Commissioning
Hamilton-class (Modified)	Somudra Joy	Frigate	Avondale Shipyard	3,250 tonnes	Chittagong	2013 (Commissioned) [7]
	Somudra Avijan					2015 (Commissioned)
	BNS					Officially offered by the U.S
	BNS
Gepard-class	BNS	Frigate	Zelenodolsk Shipyard	1,930 tonnes	Chittagong	2017[8]
	BNS					2017
Type 054A class, Incheon-class, Sigma 10514 class, Type 053H3 Class, Lupo-class	BNS	Guided-missile frigate			Chittagong	Bangladesh Navy decided modernize its fleet with four new frigates which of two will be bought at brand new condition & remaining two will be bought at second hand condition. So they ask 4,000 corer Taka ($520 million) for two new ships & 1,000 corer Taka ($130 million) for used ship. Incheon Batch II, Type 054 & Sigma 10514 are the strong contenders. For the used ship category Incheon Batch I, Lupo-class & Type 053 are the strong contenders.[9]

Corvette

Type 056 corvette

Class	Ship	Type	Builders	Displacement	Homeport	Commissioning
Type C13B (Type 056 class)	Shadhinota	Corvette	Wuchang Shipyard	1,440 tonnes	Chittagong	2015 (Commissioned) [10]
	Prottoy					2015 (Commissioned)
	BNS					2017 (Under Construction)
	BNS					2017 (Under Construction)
	BNS		Khulna Shipyard			2019
	BNS					2019
	BNS					2020
	BNS					2020

Patrol Craft

Durjoy-class LPC

River-class patrol vessel

Island-class patrol boat

Class	Ship	Type	Builders	Displacement	Homeport	Commissioning
Durjoy Class Indegenous Stealth Craft	Durjoy	Patrol craft	Wuchang Shipyard	648 tonnes	Chittagong	2013 (Commissioned)
	Nirmul					2013 (Commissioned)
	BNS		Khulna Shipyard			2016 (Under Construction)
	BNS					2016 (Under Construction)
	BNS					2018
	BNS					2018
	BNS					2020
	BNS					2020
River-class	BNS	Patrol craft	BAE Systems	1,700 tonnes		2017
	BNS					2017
Island-class	BNS	Patrol craft	Bollinger Shipyards	168 tonnes		Officially offered by the U.S
	BNS					Officially offered by the U.S
Padma-class (Total 23 planned)	Padma	Patrol craft	Khulna Shipyard	350 tonnes	Khulna	2013 (Commissioned)
	Surma					2015 (Commissioned)
	Aparajeya					2013 (Commissioned)
	Adamya					2013 (Commissioned)
	Atandra					2013 (Commissioned)
	BNS					2017
	BNS					2017
	BNS					2017
	BNS					2017
	BNS					2017

Mine sweeper

Class	Ship	Type	Builders	Displacement	Homeport	Commissioning
Type 081 class	BNS	Mine countermeasures vessel	Jiangnan Shipyard	350 tons	Khulna	2018
	BNS					2018
	BNS					2018
	BNS					2018
	BNS					2018

Oil tanker

Class	Ship	Type	Builders	Displacement	Homeport	Commissioning
Khanjahan Ali class	Khan Jahan Ali	Oil Tanker	Khulna Shipyard	2,500 tonnes	Khulna	2014 (Commissioned)
	BNS					2016 (Under Construction)
	BNS					2017

Research & Survey Ship

Class	Picture	Type	No.of ships	Total	Displacement	Entry	Note
		Survey vessel	2	2	900 tonnes	2017	Bangladesh Navy has expressed interest in acquiring two Survey Vessel for better surveillance capabilities at Bay of Bengal. Both Ships will be built at domestic shipyard.
		Container vessel	2	2	4,000 tonnes	2018	Bangladesh Navy placed an order for two container vessel on 11 January 2015.

Amphibious Warfare

Class	Picture	Type	No.of ships	Total	Displacement	Entry	Note
		Landing Craft Utility	2 4	6	450 tonnes	2015 2018	Khulna Shipyard was awarded the contract to construct 6 LCU for Bangladesh Navy. The development of first two started in 2014 and will be handed over during last quarter of 2015. Total 6 planned.
		Rescue and salvage ship	2	2	600 tonnes	2016

Naval Aviation

According to Ministry of Defence Article, Bangladesh Air Force will procure Three Squadron Jets and Maritime Patrol Aircraft in time frame of 10 years.

Class	Picture	Type	Units	Entry	Origin	Note
Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA)		Search and rescue Special Ops	32	2020		Bangladesh Government have officially approved purchase of two squadron of Maritime patrol aircraft. CASA CN-235, Ilyushin Il-38 are the possible contenders. In 2016, Navy officials confirmed possible purchase of several Dornier Do 228 maritime patrol aircraft.
Harbin Z-9		Utility helicopter	3	2015	People's Republic of China	Bangladesh Navy Aviation have ordered three units in 2014. Delivery expected in 2015-16.
BAC Baaz		Unmanned aerial vehicle	50	2020	Bangladesh	Bangladesh Aeronautical Centre was given the contract to develop Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Bangladesh Navy. The UAV's will be deployed over Bay of Bengal for photographic surveillance.

References

1. Das, Pushan. "A ‘Three-Dimensional’ Bangladesh Navy in the Bay of Bengal". The Diplomat. thediplomat.com. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
2. Gomes, William. "Dhaka unveils ten-year modernisation plan for armed forces". Asia News. asianews.it. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
3. Pryce, Paul. "Bangladesh and Asia's maritime balance". Center for International Maritime Security. cimsec.org/. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
4. Detsch, Andrew. "With Pricey Naval Revamp, Bangladesh Can’t Afford to Fail". The Diplomat. thediplomat.com. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
5. Kech, Zachary. "China to Sell Bangladesh 2 Submarines". The Diplomat. /thediplomat.com/. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
6. Pryce, Paul. "Bangladesh and Asia's maritime balance". Center for International Maritime Security Studies. cimsec.org/. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
7. "US Coast Guard transfers ex-Hamiltion-class cutter to Bangladesh Navy".
8. "Rostec: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka Might Purchase Russia’s Gepard-Class Frigates". Sputnik News. sputniknews.com. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
9. "Bangladesh Navy will buy two Frigate at TK 4,000 Koti".
10. Mazumdar, Mrityunjoy. "Bangladesh's new C13B corvettes start sea trials ahead of more orders". IHS Jane's 360. janes.com. Retrieved 3 February 2016.