Modernisation of the Bangladesh Navy reached a new milestone on Thursday as the force officially received five high-speed patrol boats from Japan under Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme.
The handover ceremony, held in Chattogram, was aimed at bolstering Bangladesh’s maritime security, enhancing coastal surveillance, and improving capabilities for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
The acquisition is also intended to ensure protection of sea resources and national sovereignty, according to an ISPR press release issued Thursday.
Brigadier General (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, psc, G, the Honourable Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Shimada Tomoaki, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, was present as the Special Guest.
The ceremony was also attended by a Japanese delegation, senior naval officers, and relevant officials.
The procurement follows a bilateral agreement signed between the governments of Bangladesh and Japan in November 2023, rooted in long-standing mutual trust, friendship, and strategic partnership.
Following the exchange of notes in late 2023, the project reached its final stage when the boats arrived at Chattogram Port on 6 February, 2026.
Under the supervision of Japanese experts, necessary training on the operation and maintenance of these vessels was provided to naval personnel aboard “BNS Nirbhik.”
Each patrol boat measures 16.15 metres in length, 3.53 metres in width, and 1.78 metres in depth, with a displacement capacity of 13.5 tonnes. Capable of reaching a maximum speed of 32 miles per hour, these boats are specifically designed for operations in shallow waters.
Their high-speed capabilities will allow the Navy to conduct efficient operations in narrow and inaccessible waterways across the country’s rivers, estuaries, and coastal regions.
The vessels are expected to play a vital role in strengthening security at sea ports, conducting search and rescue operations, and providing rapid responses during emergencies and natural disasters.
Officials noted that this project, implemented under the OSA framework, will further consolidate the friendly ties between the two nations while expanding the scope of defence and technological cooperation.
