Gentlemen, I have found the following reporting in "The Defense Media Network" about the progress the BN is making, its induction of Frigates, Corvettes, LPCs, home built naval ships etc. Most of the information in this reporting may there be in piecemeal in this thread. Sorry, if some part of this reporting are replica of already posted news.
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BANGLADESH NAVY PROGRESS
Bangladesh Navy Ship Bangabandhu (F-25)
The Bangladesh navy ship Bangabandhu (F-25) steams off the coast of Bangladesh during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2012. The South Korean Daewoo-built Bangabandhu is the most modern and capable warship in the BN. It is fitted with Otomat Mk 2 surface to surface missiles and a Chinese FM-90 surface to air missile system. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Fure)
This acquisition of USCG Cutter Jarvis is emblematic of the progress made by the BN in recent years to improve its combat power, modernize its fleet, acquire larger platforms with longer endurance and crucially, become a three dimensional navy with naval aviation and submarines, as it strives to provide effective maritime security for Bangladesh.
It is doing so by modernizing the fleet with the upgrade of existing platforms as well as the induction of new platforms with long endurance.
Well supported by incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the ongoing naval acquisition package includes 11 ships and submarines as part of the Hasina administration’s commitment to building a well-equipped navy.
Besides the Samudra Joy, the most recent additions to the BN fleet are two large missile armed patrol craft, known as LPC, from China as well as a series of locally built, gun armed patrol craft – also of Chinese provenance.
The 648-ton LPC, with a length of 64.2 meters, a beam of 9 meters and a draft of 2.5 meters, was built at Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan under the auspices of CSOC (China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company).
2nd LPC at Wuchang
The second LPC prior to launching at Wuchang Shipyard. Bangladesh navy photo
The first, Durjoy (P 811), was launched on Aug. 26, 2012, while the second, Nirmul (P813), was launched on Sept. 27, 2012. Both ships arrived Bangladesh in February 2013.
The LPCs are armed with a single 76.2mm NG-16-1 automatic cannon, two twin 25mm cannon mounted amidships, four C-704 surface to surface missiles (SSM) mounted aft, and two forward-mounted six-barreled RDC depth charge rocket launchers.
Primary sensors include a TR-47C gunfire control radar with built-in electro-optical sensors, an SR-60 search radar, and an ESS-3 bow mounted sonar with an effective range of about 8000 meters. A JRCSS combat management system (CMS) with at least three multifunction consoles is also fitted.
The LPCs are powered by triple Pielstick diesels driving three screws for a top speed of 28 knots. Range is 2500 nautical miles (nm) and endurance with a crew of 60 is 15 days. According to CSOC officials speaking to Defense Media Network at LIMA 2013, these are cost-effective warships, able to perform both strike missions at ranges of about 40 kilometers as well as undertaking limited anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.
LPC BNS Durjoy at Port Klang Jan. 2013
BNS Durjoy at Port Klang, Malaysia during a three day port call Jan. 29-31, 2013 on its voyage to Chittagong naval base from Shanghai. TLDM photo
Wuchang is also building two 90-meter, 1,330-ton corvettes based on the Type 056 to bespoke Bangladeshi specifications, including a helicopter hangar. Steel cutting for these ships took place on Jan. 8, 2013. CSOC expects to complete construction of these corvettes by 2104 or early 2015.
The BN has also commenced induction of five 50-meter long, 255-ton Padma-class inshore patrol craft from the Navy-owned Khulna Shipyard, using material packages supplied by Hudong shipyard in China. Billed as the largest homebuilt warship to date, the first of class, BNS Padma (P 312), was commissioned on Jan. 24, 2013.
The second was delivered in early May, and all are to be delivered by December 2013. Impressively, the program is running on schedule. The long-term plan is to build 25 of these craft.
Powered by four Deutz diesels, the Padma class are capable of doing 23.7 knots. They have a range of 1,500 nm and an endurance of 7 days. Armament comprises two twin 37mm gun mounts as well as two 20mm cannon. These ships can also lay mines if required. They will be used primarily for riverine patrols and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) protection.
Padma P312
BNS Padma, the largest locally built warship to date in Bangladesh. Five of these 50-meter, 250-ton gun-armed patrol craft are being constructed at Khulna naval shipyard with Chinese supplied material packages.
Upon completion of this program, Khulna SY is expected to undertake construction of at least two LPC, similar to the two recently acquired from China. In due course, Khulna SY reportedly will also build corvettes. Two are planned initially.
In addition to the new-build ships, the BN is expecting to take delivery of two ex-PLA Navy Type 052H2 Jianghu 3 class frigates fitted with C-802 SSM around November 2013.
These acquisitions mean that the two elderly ex-Royal Navy frigates of 1950s vintage, BNS Umar Farooq (ex-HMS Llandaff) and BNS Abu Bakr (ex-HMS Lynx) can finally be withdrawn from service.
So, by 2014, the BN will very likely possess four additional frigates to complement a modernized Jianghu 1 frigate, BNS Osman, and a modern Daewoo-built DW 2000H frigate, BNS Bangabandhu, that’s been fitted with a Chinese-built FN-90 surface to air missile system.
Aside from the combatants, at least one auxiliary tanker is under construction at Ananda Shipyard and Slipways Ltd (ASSL) for delivery by July 2013. The 79.85-meter tanker has been designed to replenish two ships simultaneously using RAS gear sourced from the United Kingdom.
