Bangladesh considers procurement of submarines

13.01.2011 Bangladeshi government considers possibility to acquire submarines as an important step towards protection of the country's exclusive economic zone, reports Jane's Defense Industry referring to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Appearing at the national naval academy in Chittagong, the premier said that the issue of acquiring submarines for Bangladeshi Navy is under government's consideration.

Details of potential purchase are not reported; however, considering Bangladesh's defense budget (about $1.5 bln), most probably it would be second-hand Chinese subs.

Speaking of other programs, Mrs. Hasina pointed out that two multirole light helicopters AW-109 Power ordered in Feb 2010 would be delivered in mid-2011. They will be used for search-and-rescue operations, protection of exclusive economic zone, and aerial reconnaissance. The helicopters will be based onboard Ulsan class frigate Bangabandhu bought from South Korea in 2001.

It is also planned to reinforce Bangladeshi Navy with five small-size patrol ships built by Khulna Shipyard (Bangladesh), in Great Britain, and the U.S. In 2010 the Royal British Navy handed three ships to Bangladesh, including hydrographic ship HMS Roebuck and two Castle class littoral patrol ships. The U.S. donated 16 Defender class boats. According to informal reports, the delivery contract with China on two Jiangwei-II class frigates (project 053H3) and three helicopters Z-9 is underway.

Taking into account considerable hydrocarbon reserves in the territory of Bangladesh, China endeavors to become the principal supplier of arms to Bangladesh using flexible payment methods and credits. In particular, Shaanxi Baoji Special Vehicles Company through several years had been delivering light armored cars ZFB05 to Bangladesh on account of credit granted by Beijing, and late in 2009 declared of on-going negotiations on additional deliveries.

In 2007 Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group handed 12 single-seat fighters F-7BG and four double-seat fighters FT-7BG to Bangladeshi Air Force; reportedly, the company negotiates on deliveries of JF-17 (FC-1) aircrafts and more advanced J-10 (FC-20).