Bangladesh Navy

[UKBengali]

I thought it may be a good idea to discuss the current state and future plans of the BD Navy. Out of all the 3 main military branches, this is the one that is being modernised at the fastest rate.


1. Ulsan class frigate - South Korea

Currently the most powerful ship in the BD arsenal. No plans to buy any more of these ships. It carries both anti-ship cruise missiles, short-range SAMs and CIWS weapons systems.

BD Navy has asked for money for 2 more modern frigates. The current contenders are the South Korean DW-3000F, Chinese export-model frigate currently in development and,less likely, a Russian frigate.

2. Type-056 Corvette - China

Already 2 are in service and 2 more are being built in China and should be in service by 2017. 4 more are likely to be built in BD and those should be in service around 2020 for a total of 8. Although only a 1440 tonne corvette it has both anti-ship cruise missiles and short-range SAMs fitted.

3. Ming-class submarine - China

2 are being procured for training purposes and will be in service this year. 2 Kilo-class or Chinese Yuan-class submarines may be purchased by 2020 to give BD Navy a real submarine capability for first time.

 

[damiendehorn]

Epect the following additions by 2020-22:

• 2-3 frigates (South Korean or Chinese)
• 6 corvettes (2 type 056 under build in China and 4 to be built at KSY giving a total of 8)
• 6 LPCs (2 underconstruction at KSY with additional 4 ASW versions to be built by KSY and CSY, Last 4 will be further upgraded for the total requirement of 12)
• 2 training subs this year followed by 2 new builds from 2018-202

For now these should be enough to protect our waters.

 

[UKBengali]

Epect the following additions by 2020-22:

• 2-3 frigates (South Korean or Chinese)
• 6 corvettes (2 type 056 under build in China and 4 to be built at KSY giving a total of 8)
• 6 LPCs (2 underconstruction at KSY with additional 4 ASW versions to be built by KSY and CSY, Last 4 will be further upgraded for the total requirement of 12)
• 2 training subs this year followed by 2 new builds from 2018-202

For now these should be enough to protect our waters.

What I think BD needs to do is standardise as much as possible so that it does not have too much logistical nightmares.

The Type-056 corvette has set a precedent but BD has way too many types of frigates currently causing a major logistical nightmare. I would like after the 2-3 new frigates are in service, that all frigates apart from the Ulsan class are retired.

 

[Stannis Baratheon]

The Type-056 corvette has set a precedent but BD has way too many types of frigates currently causing a major logistical nightmare. I would like after the 2-3 new frigates are in service, that all frigates apart from the Ulsan class are retired.

It would be better for us to stick to corvettes and buy submarines instead of frigates. Diesel run subs, especially the Chinese S-20 will cause real headache to anyone wanting to venture into our sea borders.

 

[damiendehorn]

What I think BD needs to do is standardise as much as possible so that it does not have too much logistical nightmares.

The Type-056 corvette has set a precedent but BD has way too many types of frigates currently causing a major logistical nightmare. I would like after the 2-3 new frigates are in service, that all frigates apart from the Ulsan class are retired.

Totally agree, our navy needs to standardize on 2-3 update/customised C28A frigates with VLS or a new 2500-3000 tonne frigate (in additon to the ulsan). Type 056 as the corvette of choice with upgraded versions built in Bangladesh and Durjoy class LPCs built in Bangladesh with follow on batches designed based on the Durjoy class. Other assets that aren't too old should be given to the coast guard.

Ideally i would like to see:

4-5 frigates (Ulsan + 4 C28 with VLS / Advanced Chinese frigate @ 2500-3000 tonnes)
8 corvettes (4 type 056 + 4 Upgraded type 056 built in Bangladesh)
12 LPCs ( last 4 to be designed with further stealth characteristics in Bangladesh)
2 new build Subs

Given that Bangladesh will have a GDP above $300bn by 2020 and a defence budget aprox $5bn. The above is the min we can expect.

 

[UKBengali]

It would be better for us to stick to corvettes and buy submarines instead of frigates. Diesel run subs, especially the Chinese S-20 will cause real headache to anyone wanting to venture into our sea borders.

BD's economy can afford both modern frigates and submarines now. The GDP will hit more than 300 billion US dollars in 2020 and the defence budget, including arms imports, will be around $5bn.

The main advantage of frigates is that they will have much more powerful anti-air, anti-ship and also anti-submarine capabilities than corvettes.

PS - With powerful air-defence frigates in the Bay of Bengal, then a certain country to the SE of BD could not fly over the sea to try to attack BD.

 

[Stannis Baratheon]

BD's economy can afford both modern frigates and submarines now. The GDP will hit more than 300 billion US dollars in 2020 and the defence budget, including arms imports, will be around $5bn.

The GDP is just a scam played by the government. They have taken huge advantage of the fall in oil prices to increase prices of commodities and call it an acceptable inflation rate. In truth, that is not the case and people's livelihood are being made way too expensive. In the near future this tactic will definitely hurt our exports.

The main advantage of frigates is that they will have much more powerful anti-air, anti-ship and also anti-submarine capabilities than corvettes.

Frigates can also operate into deep sea which corvettes can't. But submarines can do the same too and they are a lot more stealth. They are good enough to sink destroyers and enemy aircraft carriers. As for anti-air, it's best to have an Air force for that. Nothing beats an Air Force than an Air Force.

 

[UKBengali]

Frigates can also operate into deep sea which corvettes can't. But submarines can do the same too and they are a lot more stealth. They are good enough to sink destroyers and enemy aircraft carriers. As for anti-air, it's best to have an Air force for that. Nothing beats an Air Force than an Air Force.

BD Air-Force does need good numbers of modern fighter aircraft soon but the Navy also needs it's own capabilities to defend against ships and missiles.

With modern frigates that can launch missiles at many targets at once with VLS SAMs, when combined with the Type-056 corvettes, even a full on-attack against the BD Navy by dozens of aircraft has a good chance of being defeated.

You should have a mix of capabilities and never rely on single asset.

 

[Stannis Baratheon]

With modern frigates that can launch missiles at many targets at once with VLS SAMs, when combined with the Type-056 corvettes, even a full on-attack against the BD Navy by dozens of aircraft has a good chance of being defeated.

Frigates cost a lot to maintain and it would be extremely costly to maintain both frigates and submarines. If we do so, we can't really modernize the Air Force to a degree it needs to be. Not to mention corvettes are much faster than frigates and excellent for coastal defence and they can receive backing from anti-ship and SAM batteries due to their close proximety to land. Subs can be used for deep sea strikes and are almost impossible to be struck down by enemy aircrafts (can't be said about frigates). Would rather go for the Type-56 corvette, S-20 subs and the Su-35 aircraft along with the FK-3 and HQ-9 SAMs.

You should have a mix of capabilities and never rely on single asset.

Due to our limited military budget that seems a very difficult thing to do.

 

[Nike]

should be more realistic though,

just look what Bangladesh had procured in the last ten years time frame

two Ming class submarine.
Bangladesh finalized an agreement with Chinese govt. for transfer of two Type 035G (Ming-class) submarines in Dec 2013, the two submarines are expected to reach Bangladesh by 2016

2 Type 053H2 (Jianghu-III) Class
Launched 1985 and 1986.The ships were handed over to BN on 9 January 2014 and left China for Bangladesh.

2 Hamilton-Class Cutter
Transferred to Bangladesh Navy as a gift. Somudra Joy was transferred on 22 May 2013 while Somudra Avijan was transferred on 6 May 2015. Bangladesh will pay $12 million for refits and training for F28.The Third Cutter was officially offered to Navy in July 2015.

4 Type 056 Corvette

Armed with YJ-83/C-803 Sea-Skimming Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles, FL-3000N SAM Surface-To-Air Missile Launcher, AK-176 76mm naval gun and 30 mm Cannon dual mode remote controlled weapons system. Shadhinota launched on 30 November 2014 and Prottoy launched on 30 December 2014

5 Padma Class Patrol Vessels

This program had started back to 2011, and the last transfer happened in 2013

BNS Anushandhan

Is a survey vessel of the Bangladesh Navy. She previously served with the Royal Navy as the coastal survey vessel HMS Roebuck (H130) from 3 October 1986 to 15 April 2010.

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Most of them is second handed one, with two Hamilton class cutter, two Jianghu Class frigate, two Ming class submarines made the bulk of New modernized Bangladesh Navy, aside from the Type 056 corvettes.

 

[UKBengali]

Frigates cost a lot to maintain and it would be extremely costly to maintain both frigates and submarines. If we do so, we can't really modernize the Air Force to a degree it needs to be. Not to mention corvettes are much faster than frigates and excellent for coastal defence and they can receive backing from anti-ship and SAM batteries due to their close proximety to land. Subs can be used for deep sea strikes and are almost impossible to be struck down by enemy aircrafts (can't be said about frigates). Would rather go for the Type-56 corvette, S-20 subs and the Su-35 aircraft along with the FK-3 and HQ-9 SAMs.


Due to our limited military budget that seems a very difficult thing to do.

BD Navy seems focused on procuring frigates and I cannot see the government saying no to this. Remember BD operates many old frigates now which are not exactly cheap to operate and the modern ones are not likely to cost any-more to run. As long as the old frigates are retired as the new ones are procured then this should not put too much of a burden on the defence budget.

As for Air-Force, the government is looking at 4 squadrons of fighters by 2021 and 10 squadrons by 2030. This should not place too much of a heavy burden on the defence budget and so other branches like Navy and Army should not have to sacrifice any big-ticket items.

 

[BDforever]

should be more realistic though,

just look what Bangladesh had procured in the last ten years time frame

two Ming class submarine.
Bangladesh finalized an agreement with Chinese govt. for transfer of two Type 035G (Ming-class) submarines in Dec 2013, the two submarines are expected to reach Bangladesh by 2016

2 Type 053H2 (Jianghu-III) Class
Launched 1985 and 1986.The ships were handed over to BN on 9 January 2014 and left China for Bangladesh.

2 Hamilton-Class Cutter
Transferred to Bangladesh Navy as a gift. Somudra Joy was transferred on 22 May 2013 while Somudra Avijan was transferred on 6 May 2015. Bangladesh will pay $12 million for refits and training for F28.The Third Cutter was officially offered to Navy in July 2015.

4 Type 056 Corvette

Armed with YJ-83/C-803 Sea-Skimming Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles, FL-3000N SAM Surface-To-Air Missile Launcher, AK-176 76mm naval gun and 30 mm Cannon dual mode remote controlled weapons system. Shadhinota launched on 30 November 2014 and Prottoy launched on 30 December 2014

5 Padma Class Patrol Vessels

This program had started back to 2011, and the last transfer happened in 2013

BNS Anushandhan

Is a survey vessel of the Bangladesh Navy. She previously served with the Royal Navy as the coastal survey vessel HMS Roebuck (H130) from 3 October 1986 to 15 April 2010.

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Most of them is second handed one, with two Hamilton class cutter, two Jianghu Class frigate, two Ming class submarines made the bulk of New modernized Bangladesh Navy, aside from the Type 056 corvettes.

forgot to mention Durjoy class.
Budget was main issue, things are changing now.

BD Navy seems focused on procuring frigates and I cannot see the government saying no to this. Remember BD operates many old frigates now which are not exactly cheap to operate and the modern ones are not likely to cost any-more to run. As long as the old frigates are retired as the new ones are procured then this should not put too much of a burden on the defence budget.

As for Air-Force, the government is looking at 4 squadrons of fighters by 2021 and 10 squadrons by 2030. This should not place too much of a heavy burden on the defence budget and so other branches like Navy and Army should not have to sacrifice any big-ticket items.

what if I told you BD is going to operate around 14 Frigates by 2025 (with vision of Blue water Navy)

 

[UKBengali]

should be more realistic though,

just look what Bangladesh had procured in the last ten years time frame

two Ming class submarine.
Bangladesh finalized an agreement with Chinese govt. for transfer of two Type 035G (Ming-class) submarines in Dec 2013, the two submarines are expected to reach Bangladesh by 2016

2 Type 053H2 (Jianghu-III) Class
Launched 1985 and 1986.The ships were handed over to BN on 9 January 2014 and left China for Bangladesh.

2 Hamilton-Class Cutter
Transferred to Bangladesh Navy as a gift. Somudra Joy was transferred on 22 May 2013 while Somudra Avijan was transferred on 6 May 2015. Bangladesh will pay $12 million for refits and training for F28.The Third Cutter was officially offered to Navy in July 2015.

4 Type 056 Corvette

Armed with YJ-83/C-803 Sea-Skimming Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles, FL-3000N SAM Surface-To-Air Missile Launcher, AK-176 76mm naval gun and 30 mm Cannon dual mode remote controlled weapons system. Shadhinota launched on 30 November 2014 and Prottoy launched on 30 December 2014

5 Padma Class Patrol Vessels

This program had started back to 2011, and the last transfer happened in 2013

BNS Anushandhan

Is a survey vessel of the Bangladesh Navy. She previously served with the Royal Navy as the coastal survey vessel HMS Roebuck (H130) from 3 October 1986 to 15 April 2010.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Most of them is second handed one, with two Hamilton class cutter, two Jianghu Class frigate, two Ming class submarines made the bulk of New modernized Bangladesh Navy, aside from the Type 056 corvettes.

This was brought in last 5 years during Awami League. The previous BNP and caretaker government did not buy anything on this list.

You need to consider that the current defence budget of 3 billion dollars will rise to around 5 billion dollars by 2020 and so the money is there for what has been discussed. Air-force and Army are currently taking a back-seat to modernisation of Navy as well.

what if I told you BD is going to operate around 14 Frigates by 2025 (with vision of Blue water Navy)

I am not surprised. BD has a rapidly growing economy that should hit 500 billion dollars by 2025 and so the money will be there to buy and build a lot of modern equipment. I think 14 frigates may be a little too much as the BD Navy would be interested in procuring destroyers post 2025

 

[BDforever]

I am not surprised. BD has a rapidly growing economy that should hit 500 billion dollars by 2025 and so the money will be there to buy and build a lot of modern equipment. I think 14 frigates may be a little too much as the BD Navy would be interested in procuring destroyers post 2025

As far as I know, Destroyers are coming after 2025, and no those frigate number is not too much.
Bangladesh has started focusing on larger warships than small one to become blue water Navy.
I did some math and it is highly possible to have that

 

[UKBengali]

As far as I know, Destroyers are coming after 2025.

Almost certainly BD Navy would be getting destroyers post 2025.It is only a matter of the money being available that has held BD back.

BD military by 2030 will be both large and extremely modern.