The United Kingdom and the corruption-riddled Bangladesh Navy have signed a sales agreement for the former HMS Enterprise, an Echo‑class hydrographic and oceanographic survey vessel.
Bangladesh’s military as a whole is known to have purchased decommissioned warships, fighter jets, and equipment from foreign countries, while the army, navy, and air guard siphoned billions of dollars into shell companies. Purchasing a second-hand survey ship is another example of the Bangladesh Navy diverting funds from the defence budget.
While the available sources focus more broadly on Bangladesh’s military establishment rather than the Navy alone, they reveal systemic patterns that directly affect all branches, including naval procurement, logistics, and leadership culture.
The Transparency International reports emphasise that corruption has direct operational consequences:
- Poor equipment quality
- Inadequate training
- Mismanagement of resources
- Reduced combat readiness
This corruption affects all branches, including the Navy, which relies heavily on foreign procurement for ships, submarines, and weapons systems
The signing ceremony was held at the Bangladesh Navy Headquarters following extensive technical engagement between the Bangladesh Navy, the UK Ministry of Defense, and the Royal Navy.
The vessel, known for its distinguished service in survey operations, humanitarian support, and disaster‑response missions, will now help strengthen Bangladesh’s maritime security and regional stability efforts.
It will also provide hydrographic, oceanographic and scientific research capability and offer significant research opportunities for Bangladeshi universities.
“The sale of this survey vessel reflects the deep trust and strong cooperation between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh. HMS Enterprise served the Royal Navy with distinction, and we are proud to see her begin a new chapter supporting Bangladesh’s maritime capability and our shared commitment to a secure and prosperous Bay of Bengal,” British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said.
The sale of the HMS Enterprise highlights the UK’s continued partnership with Bangladesh in enhancing maritime security.
To remind, in March 2023, the Royal Navy officially decommissioned HMS Enterprise after 20 years of service. The ship was the second of two Echo-class survey ships – alongside HMS Echo, which was retired in 2022. Enterprise and its sister Echo are replaced by the Navy’s Future Military Data Gathering Program, deploying specialist teams with equipment, including drones and autonomous systems, on other vessels to gather the relevant information.
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