Buying Chinese submarines won't create negative reaction in outside world: PM

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina yesterday said that purchasing of two submarines from China would not create any negative reaction in the political arena in the outside world.

"I believe that the decision of buying two submarines from China is related to the national interest of Bangladesh, and it won't create any negative reaction in the political arena in the outside world," she said.

In reply to a starred query from independent lawmaker Md Rustam Ali Farazi (Pirojpur-3), the premier said the two submarines -- BN Nabajatra and BN Agrajatra -- arrived in Bangladesh on December 25 last under an agreement with China.

"The two submarines have been inducted into the navy fleet as I commissioned those on March 12 this year in Chittagong," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the two submarines were purchased from China, Bangladesh's one of the key development partners, in a bid to modernise the country's defence system through upgrading the Bangladesh Navy into a "three-dimensional force".

She said Bangladesh's defence system has been further strengthened than before due to induction of the two submarines into the navy and it enhanced the country's position in national and international politics.

The prime minister said the two submarines would make important contributions to safeguarding the country's sovereignty. "Besides, it's expected that the two submarines would play a special role in the "Blue Economy" meaning the country's economic uplift," she said.

The conventional diesel electric submarines are 76 metres in length and 7.6 metres in width and are equipped with torpedoes and mines, which are capable of attacking enemy warships and submarines.

The highest speed of the submarines is about 17 nautical mile per hour and their displacement is 1609 tonnes.

In reply to another starred question, the leader of the House informed that her government has a plan to form a separate police unit to combat militancy and terrorism.

Source: bss