Bangladesh buys two submarines from China

Bangladesh has bought two submarines from China at a cost of $203 million in an attempt to boost its defense capabilities, News agency AFP reported.

The country took delivery of these submariners on Monday. The news agency said that Bangladesh is preparing itself to boost its naval power in the Bay of Bengal.

The news came just a few days after Chinese president Xi Jinping visited Bangladesh. Xi Jinping became the first Chinese president in 30 years to visit Bangladesh, which has historically been more closely allied to rival regional power India.

AFP said that Bangladesh paid a reported $203 million for the two submarines, a deal that reflects the country’s growing economic and defense ties with Beijing.

Armed forces spokeswoman Taposhi Rabeya quoted as saying that the submarines would become part of the country’s naval fleet at the beginning of next year.

‘This is the first ever addition of submarines in Bangladesh defense force,’ she said.

Bangladesh has been expanding its defense capabilities in recent years, building a new airbase close to neighbouring Myanmar, opening several new military cantonments across the country and adding new frigates to its naval fleet, according to the report.

Earlier in 2013 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina signed a billion-dollar deal with Russia to buy fighter training jets, helicopters and anti-tank missiles.

In the same year, the PM announced the plan to purchase two submarines as part of her government’s move to build a modern navy to defend the resource-rich Bay of Bengal.

In a UN tribunal settlement, Bangladesh has ensured the country’s sovereignty over 111,631 square kilometres (43,100 square miles) of sea, an area nearly equal to its landmass.