Bangladesh Navy Launches Homemade OPV BNS PADMA

 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says Bangladesh will win her litigation with India over disputed maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladesh won her litigation over disputed maritime boundaries with Myanmar in March 14 last year at the International Tribunal for the Law of the sea.

The same tribunal is supposed to pronounce its verdict on the India-Bangladesh maritime boundary dispute in 2014.

"We will win this case against India ," Hasina said as he addressed officers and ranks of the Bangladesh Navy in Khulna.

The Prime Minister welcomed moves to set up a deep sea port at Sonadia , saying that will boost the country's foreign trade substantially.

She said her government has already opened Chittagong and Mongla ports for neighbouring countries to improve bilateral relations and trade.

On Thursday, the first ever home made warship ‘Padma’ was added to the Bangladesh Navy in presence of Sheikh Hasina.

The ship was commissioned in Khulna’s Khalishpur BNS Titumir base and Hasina handed over the 'commission warrant' to the 'Padma' s Captain Lt Commander Shafiul Azam.

Later the Prime Minister inspected the warship.

At the commissioning event, Prime Minister said Bangladesh was not a country that sought wars. “We want peace, but we need to be prepared to defend ourselves."

She said the Navy had to be made modernised with latest technology within the limited resource Bangladesh has to offer.

‘Padma’ was one of the five warships, work on which began on Mar 5, 2011 in Khulna shipyard.

The Tk 580 million warship is 50 metres in length and 7.5 metres in width. Navy says it can travel up to 44 kilometres per hour.

‘Padma’ has four 37mm and two 20mm canons capable to aim at targets both on land and in air. It can also plant mines in river and the sea to hinder enemy entry.

Navy says in peace time the ‘Padma’ will be patrolling the Sunderbans and adjacent sea territory under Khulna Navy Commander.

The Prime Minister said that the Chinese, Indian and Myanmarese navies were becoming active in the Bay of Bengal .








She said that the Navy must be prepared to prevent any aggression on Bangladesh's maritime zone. “Our government is committed to develop a well- equipped Navy in future to protect our resources and to check arms trafficking and smuggling as well as to keep open the sea routes”.

Bangladesh Navy Chief Vice Admiral Jahir Uddin Ahmed and Commodore MA Rajib received the Prime Minister upon her arrival in Khulna Navy base.

A smart Navy turnout presented the Prime Minister the guard of honour.