Submarine, one of most complicated and time consuming platform. Sub procurement requires extensive planning, strategy, base, maintenance and training of crew. It takes many years going from planning stage to full operational force. Not to mention prohibitingly expensive for a country like ours. Having said that any sub platform we buy we should consider mostly our future needs than a present one. When I say future needs I mean a platform that can meet requirements and serve national interest and strategy for next 15-20 years and beyond.
Considering future needs and money we have to spend type U-209 would not be good, prudent and efficient choice. There are several reasons:
One, India our most potent enemy, operate U-209 for many years. It would be foolish decision to acquire a platform that enemy knows very well about.
Two, U209 is an old platform. In face of increasingly advance sub and surface Indian fleet, usability and effectiveness U-209 would be very little if any.
Three, considering money, time and future requirements U-209 would not fit our requirements rather U-214 would make more sense and would meet all our needs.
Four, Pakistan is in final stage of procuring U214 platform. If Bangladesh procures U-214, scope for technical assistance and knowledge sharing are huge and perhaps cost of procurement could be reduced.
Bangladesh had done quite a bit of work in planning, crew training and even base work. But I have not heard of any firm information on procurement of U-209. Hope decision is made considering, our future needs, our enemy and our future national interest, NOT what is cheap. Besides, we can not compete with numbe,r so we have to compete in quality and strategy.