Newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim was formally adorned with the rank badge of Vice Admiral at a ceremony held Thursday morning.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and outgoing Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan jointly decorated him with the insignia at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment.
The Prime Minister congratulated the new Navy Chief on his appointment, while Vice Admiral Azim expressed gratitude on behalf of the Bangladesh Navy.
Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Shamsul Islam, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Quartermaster General of the Bangladesh Army Lieutenant General Md Shahinur Rahman, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Military Secretary Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, and Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman attended the ceremony.
Vice Admiral Azim has been appointed for a three‑year term, effective from 23 July 2026, until 22 July 2029. His predecessor, Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, assumed office as the 17th Chief of Naval Staff on 24 July 2023, also for a three‑year tenure.
Khondkar Misbah joined the Bangladesh Navy on January 1, 1987, and was commissioned into the Executive Branch in 1989.
He completed his initial training with distinction in the Royal Malaysian Navy and later pursued advanced education and military training both at home and abroad. He holds a PhD in Maritime Governance.
Over nearly four decades of service, he has held key command, staff, and training appointments, including Commander Chattogram Naval Area, Commander Dhaka Naval Area, Commander Submarines, and Commandant of the Bangladesh Naval Academy.
He also served as Director of Naval Operations and Director of Naval Plans at Naval Headquarters, in addition to commanding several warships and naval bases.
Vice Admiral Azim has represented Bangladesh in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Most recently, he served as Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Oman, where he played a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates.
In recognition of his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Nou Bahini Padak (NBP), Nou Pardarshita Padak (NPP), the National Integrity Award, and several other honors.
