Mongla: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said two submarines will join the navy fleet in mid-2016 as part of efforts to build a skilled, modern and balanced three-dimensional Navy.

The Prime Minister was addressing a function at the commissioning of locally built country’s first oil fleet tanker BNS Khan Jahangir Ali, two landing craft utilities BNS Sandwip and BNS Hatia as well as handing over of two landing craft tank (LCT) LCT-103 and LCT-105 at the Naval Berth at Mongla, Bagerhat.

Sheikh Hasina said all concerned will have to remain active in continuing the efforts of making the Bangladesh Navy as a technology-based costly force, befitting with the limited resources of the country.

Stressing that Bangladesh does not want war, the Prime Minister vowed to build standard battle ship in the country in near future.

She said her government will equip Bangladesh Navy for protecting sea resources and curbing smuggling of arms and goods through round-the-clock patrol in maritime areas as well as keeping the marine routes open even during any war.

Paying profound respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina said the great leader immediately after the country’s independence had taken strong measures to establish a strong naval force to protect the country’s maritime boundary.

Due to geographical position and strategic reasons, she said, the role of Bangladesh Navy in protecting Bangladesh’s maritime boundary and its resources is undeniable.

The Prime Minister said though Bangladesh Navy had started its journey with only two patrol craft, that small navy is now going to be transformed into a dignified three-dimensional force thanks to materializing the farsighted thought of Bangabandhu.

She mentioned that Bangladesh Navy has got the global recognition for its various contributions to international arena, including the UN peacekeeping mission.

Turning to her present government’s initiatives for the development of Bangladesh Navy, the Prime Minister said her administration has adopted short and long-term plans to build the navy as an effective force.

Under the plan, she said, most modern survey ship BNS Onusandhan, maritime helicopter and maritime patrol aircraft, two missile frigates, a US-made frigate, two missile corvettes and five patrol craft made by Khulna Shipyard were inducted in the navy.

Hasina said another US-made frigate BNS Samudra Ovijan and two modern corvettes BNS Pratya and BNS Swadhinata being built in China would be added to the navy fleet this yea.

She said a special force named ‘Special Warfare Diving and Savage (SWAD)’ has been added to the navy for unconventional warfare.

Referring to the fleet tanker made in the country’s shipyard for the first time with local and foreign technologies, Hasina a said a new chapter in the continuous progress of Bangladesh Navy was opened up today with it.

Earlier, on her arrival at the Mongla Naval Berth, the Prime Minister was received by Navy Chief Vice Admiral M Farid Habib and the regional commander of Navy. A smartly turned out contingent of Navy gave guard of honour to the Prime Minister. She inspected the guard and took salute.

The Prime Minster formally handed over the commissioning order and induction order to the commanders of the ships and unveiled the name plaques of the ships.

Ministers, State Ministers, lawmakers, members of diplomatic corps, the chiefs of the three services and high civil and military officials were present.