Pekua/Cox’s Bazar/Representative/

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, in the commissioning ceremony of two submarines in 2017, I said that we do not want to engage in war with anyone. But if someone attacks us, we will always be ready to give a befitting reply. I reiterate that today.

He said this in the chief guest’s speech at the commissioning ceremony of the country’s first submarine base ‘Banouja Sheikh Hasina’ at Pekua, Cox’s Bazar on Monday.

The Prime Minister attended the commissioning ceremony through video teleconference from Gana Bhavan. Later, with his permission, Chief of Navy Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal handed over the commissioning order to the commander of the base, Commodore Mohammad Atiqur Rahman, and formally unveiled the nameplate as per the naval tradition. With this, the base officially started operational activities in the Navy.

Six submarines can be housed in this base built for smooth operation, maintenance and safe jetty facilities. Considering the importance of a specialized and permanent base to ensure optimal use and safety of submarines as sensitive and strategic warships, the nameplate of the base was unveiled on March 12, 2017 under the inspiration, sincere interest and efforts of the Prime Minister.

In the speech of the chief guest, the Prime Minister said that this submarine base will be considered as a modern military establishment due to various security and technical features. The addition of submarines was a milestone in building a three-dimensional navy. Smart Navy should be developed in line with Smart Bangladesh.

He said, to transform Bangladesh into a trillion dollar economy, sustainable and multidimensional use of marine resources must be ensured. Therefore, we are always trying to keep the navy capable in accordance with the regional context to establish our rights and protect our interests in the maritime boundary. The need for this force is not only during wartime but also during peacetime.

The Prime Minister said that apart from the establishment of sovereignty in the sea, a huge economic field has been achieved through the settlement of maritime boundary disputes. Extensive activities have been undertaken to expand the scope of the traditional activities of fishing and sea freight. There has been significant improvement in the number and capacity of ports. In addition to these conventional activities, the sea should be used as the main attraction of the tourism industry, as a source of mineral resources and energy.

He sincerely thanked the members of the Navy for their hard work and dedication for playing a special role in the country’s sovereignty, maritime security and ongoing economic development.

Earlier, Chief of Navy Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal welcomed the Prime Minister when she joined the video teleconference at the Banauja Sheikh Hasina base. At this time a smart team of submariners provided a guard of honor to the Prime Minister.

Navy chief Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal said in the ceremony, under the personal patronage of the Prime Minister, the Navy today has established itself as a prestigious three-dimensional navy in the international arena with a significant number of warships, submarines, helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft and modern weapons along with well-skilled naval personnel.

According to Navy sources, the Banauja Sheikh Hasina base has basins and entry channels to keep submarines safe, submarine fleet headquarters, berthing facilities for warships and all types of base support facilities related to submarines.

Since the submarine’s induction into the Bangladesh Navy, it has been stationed at Banouja Isa Khan on the banks of the Karnaphuli River. A specialized and self-contained base is essential for the operational activities, maintenance and safe berthing of submarines.

Among others, Cox’s Bazar-1 Constituency MP Zafar Alam, Cox’s Bazar-2 Constituency MP Ashek Ullah Rafique, Reserved Women’s Constituency MP Kaniz Fatema Mostak, freedom fighters, naval commandos, ambassadors and diplomats of various countries, PSOs of Naval Headquarters, distinguished persons and senior military and Civilian officials were present.