Bangladesh has unveiled a ten-year development plan for its armed forces regarding the procurement of important technologies to consolidate the combat proficiency of its navy, army and air force.
Planning Minister retired Air Vice Marshal AK Khandker said that the navy was in the process of purchasing two maritime patrol aircraft and building five patrol craft at Khulna shipyard is underway, according to The Hindu.
“Construction or procurement of two large patrol craft, a hydrographic survey vessel and one oil tanker at local or foreign shipyard is also under consideration,” he said.
The minister said the government would buy one or two old frigates for the navy from other countries under a government-to-government deal, while the process of purchasing an offshore patrol vessel from the UK Navy and a large patrol craft were progressing.
“The government also has plans to upgrade missile boats and patrol craft with modern missiles to improve the combat efficiency of the navy,” he said.
