Bangladesh Navy To Receive Former UK Hydrographic Vessel Strengthening Bay Of Bengal Capabilities

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Bangladesh Navy To Receive Hydrographic Vessel From The UK

The Bangladesh Navy will add a former Royal Navy hydrographic vessel to its fleet, marking a notable step in its maritime survey and security efforts, the British High Commission in Dhaka said in an official statement.

Transfer of HMS Enterprise

Under a government-to-government sale, the United Kingdom will transfer the Echo-class hydrographic and oceanographic survey ship HMS Enterprise to the Bangladesh Navy. The agreement was announced on February 8 and reflects growing defense cooperation between Dhaka and London.

Enterprise entered service with the Royal Navy in 2002 and was retired from active British service in 2023 before the transfer.

The vessel measures roughly 91 meters in length with a beam of about 17 meters. It can accommodate up to 70 personnel and has an operational range exceeding 9,000 nautical miles. The ship’s design supports extended deployments at sea for hydrographic missions.

Capabilities And Role

Equipped with multi-domain hydrographic and oceanographic sensors, Enterprise will give the Bangladesh Navy enhanced survey and mapping capabilities. These systems support charting of sea floors, coastal and deep water data collection, and environmental monitoring.

In addition to survey tasks, the vessel carries light defensive armament including 20-millimeter cannons and heavy machine guns, enabling self-protection during operations.

Bangladesh already operates other survey and coastal hydrographic assets such as BNS Darshak and BNS Tallashi, which serve inshore and littoral environments. The addition of Enterprise expands this capacity into deeper waters.

Strategic And Regional Context

Hydrographic survey vessels contribute directly to maritime domain awareness and nautical safety, vital for navigational charting, economic activity, and security planning. Bangladesh’s location on the northern Bay of Bengal makes such capabilities important for both civilian and defense operations.

This transfer aligns with broader efforts by Dhaka to modernize its navy and secure its maritime approaches. It also underscores an expanding partnership with the United Kingdom on defense cooperation.