Bangladesh Navy to buy five naval ships from the United Kingdom.

According to information published by "The Daily Star" website on November 7, 2021, Bangladesh will buy five naval ships from the United Kingdom to modernize the armed forces as part of the Forces Goal 2030 program.
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BNS Anushandhan of Bangladesh Navy, ex-Royal British Navy coastal survey vessel HMS Roebuck. (Picture source www.balticshipping.com)

Forces Goal 2030 is a military modernization program of the Bangladesh Armed Forces which began in 2009 and was revised in 2017, designed to the capabilities of the three services of the Bangladesh armed forces: the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The primary focus of the modernization program is the reformation of the military organization, expansion of the forces, the transformation of the indigenous defense sector to support research and manufacturing, and the acquisition of modern military weapons.

For the Bangladesh Navy, the aim of the Forces Goal 2030 program is to transform Bangladesh Navy into a modern, well-equipped three-dimensional force capable of conducting multi-domain operations. Under the program, the Navy has witnessed significant growth in firepower and weapon manufacturing capabilities. The expansion of the Navy's surface fleet and force size is going on simultaneously. As of 2020, the navy acquired two submarines, eight frigates, six corvettes, eleven patrol vessels, and a significant number of other surface combatants.

As of 2013, about a third of the military hardware procured under the plan has been for the Bangladesh navy. It procured two refurbished Type 053H2 (Jianghu III) frigates from China in 2014. Two United States Coast Guard High Endurance Cutters joined the BN in 2013 and 2015 which are being used as patrol frigates. Two Type 056 corvettes joined the BN in 2016 while two more were ordered in July 2015 and they are awaiting commissioning. Two Durjoy-class large patrol craft (LPCs) were built in China and joined the BN in 2013. Two more ships of the same class with dedicated ASW capabilities were commissioned in 2017. Five Padma-class patrol vessels have been commissioned into the navy in 2013. Besides, multiple indigenous built LCUs and LCTs have been added to the navy.

Bangladesh Navy also bought an ex-Royal British Navy Roebuck-class survey vessel and two ex-Royal British Navy Castle-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) which were converted to guided missile corvettes in 2011.

British Military Assistance Team had been in Bangladesh as instructors for many years. The two Navies are also cooperating closely while most of the ships of Bangladesh Navy (BN) have been procured from Royal British Navy thereby facilitating BN to achieve commendable capability. Royal Navy has also provided technical advice in setting up important BN infrastructure such as BN Dockyard.