According to a PR published by the Bangladeshi government on March 23, 2023, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the country's first submarine base, named 'BNS Sheikh Hasina', at Pekua in Cox's Bazar.
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Virtual opening of the first submarine base in Bangladesh. (Picture source: Indian Navy)
The Prime Minister referred to the base as an "ultra-modern submarine base" and stated that it would enhance the navy's operational capacity to protect the country's vast marine resources.
Additionally, she mentioned that ships passing through the Bay of Bengal could also receive help from the base. The Prime Minister highlighted that her government has been working towards modernizing the military through "Forces Goal 2030" and building ships in local shipyards for Bangladesh's use and for other countries.
She also mentioned that the Bangladesh Navy has completed the construction of five patrol crafts, including large ones, in the Khulna shipyard. Furthermore, she noted that the Bangladesh Navy has added 31 warships to its fleet in the last 14 years, including four frigates, six corvettes, four large patrol crafts, five patrol crafts, and two training ships.
The submarine base was constructed under an agreement signed by Bangladesh and China in September 2019, and the groundbreaking function was held in February 2021.
