[🇧🇩-Navy] Indian Navy-----A Silent Enemy of Bangladesh Navy

[🇧🇩-Navy] Indian Navy-----A Silent Enemy of Bangladesh Navy
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G   Bangladesh Defense
India plans new naval base in Bay of Bengal with China, Bangladesh in focus

Published :
Jan 11, 2026 08:41
Updated :
Jan 11, 2026 08:41

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India has moved to strengthen its maritime posture in the northern Bay of Bengal by setting up a new naval base in West Bengal, amid rising Chinese naval activity and shifting regional security dynamics involving Bangladesh and Pakistan.

India Today reported, citing top defence sources, that the Indian Navy will operate the facility as a naval “detachment”, primarily focused on deploying small warships for rapid-response operations.

The base will make use of the existing Haldia dock complex, allowing the Navy to operationalise the facility quickly with minimal additional infrastructure, bdnews24.com reported citing the New Delhi-based weekly.

Initial work will include the construction of a dedicated jetty and shore-support facilities, it added.

As per the report, the Haldia base is expected to host Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) and 300 tonne New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (NWJFACs).

These platforms can reach speeds of up to 40–45 knots and are designed for quick-response maritime missions.

It noted that the vessels are armed with CRN-91 guns and are likely to be equipped with loitering munition capabilities such as the Nagastra system, enhancing both strike and surveillance roles.

WHY THE NAVAL BASE IS IMPORTANT

Experts cited by the magazine said the move is linked to several factors, including increased movements by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the Indian Ocean Region, growing concerns over maritime infiltration, and incidents of illegal crossings from Bangladesh into India using sea routes.

The shallow waters and dense maritime traffic near the India–Bangladesh coastline make fast and agile platforms particularly effective for deterrence and interception, India Today said.

The base assumes added importance amid China’s expanding naval footprint in the Indian Ocean and Beijing’s deepening defence and infrastructure engagement with Bangladesh, alongside its long-standing military partnership with Pakistan, it added.

100 NAVY OFFICERS

As per India Today, the base will be relatively compact, with an estimated strength of around 100 officers and sailors, indicating it will not function as a full-fledged command.

Located about 100km from Kolkata, the site offers direct access to the Bay of Bengal while avoiding time-consuming transit through the River Hooghly.

India currently operates major naval facilities on the eastern seaboard, including the Eastern Naval Command headquarters at Visakhapatnam and key bases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Officials told the magazine that while land had earlier been earmarked for the Haldia base, construction had remained pending.

The move also aligns with the Navy’s broader expansion plans. In 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement of 120 Fast Interceptor Crafts and 31 NWJFACs.

These vessels, typically around 100 tonnes in displacement, can carry 10–12 personnel and are used for coastal patrol, anti-infiltration missions, harbour defence, and special operations.

Experts said such naval posturing is critical for safeguarding sea lanes, monitoring regional developments, and reinforcing India’s role as a primary security provider in the region.​

BD is not in focus. BD is not a powerful enemy to even have a focus on it.
 

Indian navy’s ship arrives in Ctg
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 08 May, 2026, 16:18

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Indian navy’s ship IOS Sagar | BSS photo Diaspora Community Forum

Indian navy’s ship IOS Sagar arrived at Chattogram harbour on Friday under its multinational IOS SAGAR 2026 deployment, marking a fresh milestone in Bangladesh-India maritime cooperation and regional naval interoperability.

The Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar entered Chattogram harbour after a successful transit through the Bay of Bengal and was formally received in Bangladesh waters by the Bangladesh Navy frigate BNS Ali Haider (F17), according to a press release, issued by the Indian High Commission here.

The visit is being seen as a reflection of the longstanding strategic partnership between the navies of Bangladesh and India and the growing maritime collaboration between the two neighbouring countries, said the release.

During the visit, the Commanding Officer of IOS Sagar is scheduled to hold a series of courtesy calls on senior Bangladesh Navy officials, including Commander Chattogram Naval Area, Commander Bangladesh Naval Fleet and Area Superintendent Dockyard, aimed at further strengthening professional exchanges and operational cooperation.

As part of the visit, Commander Chattogram Naval Area will host a welcome reception for the visiting ship, while IOS Sagar will later host a deck reception attended by senior military officials from both sides.

The commanding officer of the visiting ship will also pay tribute to the shared sacrifices of the two nations by laying a wreath at the Chattogram Commonwealth War Cemetery.

In another key engagement, the commanding officer will call on the Chairman of the Chattogram Port Authority to discuss maritime logistics, port management and security cooperation.Maps

The itinerary also includes cross-deck visits by naval personnel from both countries, professional exchanges, and visits by the crew to BNS Issa Khan Training Complex and the Bangladesh Naval Academy to promote capacity building and exchange of training expertise.

A friendly football match between members of the two navies is also scheduled as part of the visit to further strengthen camaraderie and people-to-people bonds.

The release said IOS Sagar’s visit reflects India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the MAHASAGAR initiative, underscoring the shared commitment of both countries to peace, security and sustainable growth in the Indian Ocean region.​
 

Curiosity sparks over ‘autonomous underwater vehicle’ caught in fishermen’s net in Bay

M Jashim Uddin & Mohammad Rafiq

Barisal and Barguna
Published: 01 Jun 2026, 22: 29

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The marine vehicle-like device that was caught in fishermen’s nets in the Bay of Bengal has sparked widespread discussion. The object was brought ashore in Patharghata, Barguna, in the afternoon on 1 June 2026 Prothom Alo

A mechanical object, closely resembling an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), has been caught in the nets of fishermen during a fishing expedition off the coast of Patharghata in Barguna.

The recovery of the red and yellow device, measuring approximately eight feet in length, has ignited widespread curiosity ranging from the local fishing community to administrative and research circles.

Oceanographers initially suspect that the object could be an ‘Autonomous Underwater Vehicle’ (AUV)—an automated subsurface research vessel.

Across the globe, such vessels are deployed for marine research, environmental monitoring, seabed mapping, climate data collection, and military surveillance.

Its appearance in the coastal waters of Bangladesh within the Bay of Bengal has raised significant interest.

‘We hauled in the net to find a machine, not fish’

Speaking to local fishermen, it was learned that on Sunday afternoon, a fishing trawler from the Khalifar Hat area of Charduani Union under Patharghata Upazila was fishing in the estuary area of the Bay of Bengal. While hauling in the net, the fishermen felt an unusual weight.

Miraj Hossain, a fisherman aboard the trawler, said, “Initially, we thought a large sailfish had been trapped in the net. But when we hauled it in, we saw it wasn’t a fish, but a machine. We have never seen anything like this before.”

Miraj added that upon noticing fin-like structures on the body of the device and various electronic gadgets inside, they grew somewhat panicked.

At first, many mistook it for a missile component or a military object. The fishermen subsequently lifted it onto the trawler, brought it to Patharghata on Monday morning, and notified the Patharghata police station. The Patharghata police station has since taken custody of the device.

What was observed on the device
Photographs of the recovered device show it to be a long, cylindrical, torpedo-shaped object. Both ends are rounded, and the rear section features fans or fins for stability. When the upper section is opened, various electronic modules, battery units, sensors, control systems, and an antenna-like communication device are visible inside.

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When the upper section is opened, various electronic modules, battery units, sensors, control systems, and an antenna-like communication device are visible inside. Prothom Alo

To ascertain more about the object, photographs were sent to Professor Mohammad Abdul Aziz of the Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University, a renowned national expert on dolphins and marine zoology.

After examining the images, he told Prothom Alo, “Based on preliminary observations, I believe this could be an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle or AUV. I am unaware of any regular deployment of such vessels within our maritime boundaries. However, judging by the photos, it does not appear to have been operational. It is highly probable that it drifted towards the coast due to tidal currents after experiencing a mechanical failure or running out of power.”

Professor Abdul Aziz explained that these vessels typically remain underwater for extended periods to collect data autonomously before returning to a designated location or transmitting the data.

Experts noted that universities, research institutions, meteorological agencies, navies, and offshore oil and gas companies worldwide routinely utilise this technology.

Professor Abdul Aziz added, “I have no information regarding the use of such vessels in our country. If it belongs to another nation, the vessel may have drifted into our territorial waters after becoming non-functional.”

Technical analysis required

According to researchers, identifying the true nature of the device requires a thorough technical analysis of its serial number, manufacturer’s name, memory data, sensor configuration, and communication systems.

According to them, if the internal data remains intact, it could provide insights into its origin, how long it had been at sea, and the type of data it was gathering.

Mohammad Sohan, Sub-Inspector (SI) of Patharghata police station, stated that they took custody of the device after being alerted via the 999 emergency hotline. Contact is being established with relevant authorities and experts to determine the nature of the technology and its origin.

Tapas Paul, Patharghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), said, “The matter is being treated with utmost seriousness. Further action will be taken based on expert opinions.”

Mir Mohammad Ali, Assistant Professor of the Department of Aquaculture at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University and a marine life researcher, told Prothom Alo that if this truly is an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), the public recovery of such a technological device on the coast of Bangladesh is quite rare.

The incident raises new questions regarding international marine research, climate monitoring, maritime resource exploration, and regional maritime security operations being conducted in the Bay of Bengal, he pointed out.

Uncovering its true identity through technical analysis could yield invaluable data concerning marine research and maritime management, he stated.​
 

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