Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal, Chief of Naval Staff, Bangladesh

Established in November 1971 from a fledgeling fleet of two small patrol boats, the Bangladesh Navy or Bangladesh Nou Bahini will mark its Golden Jubilee this year. It has steadily grown in its aim to become a balanced tri-dimensional naval force, especially in the South Asian region straddling the approaches to the waters of Southeast Asia from the Indian Ocean. The Bangladesh government has adopted a long-term modernisation plan for its armed forces known as Forces Goal 2030. Here, Adm M Shaheen Iqbal answers questions from Asian Defence Journal on the development of the Bangladesh Navy from the transfers of patrol vessels, missile frigates, corvettes and submarines, and the establishment of an aviation wing. (March 2021)