Navy fires missiles in Bay as major exercise concludes
The Bangladesh Navy successfully fired missiles in the Bay of Bengal as part of its Annual Sea Exercise-2025, which concluded on Sunday, November 30, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said.
The missile launches and final phase of the exercise were observed by several advisers to the interim government on board BNS Khalid Bin Walid at the invitation of Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hasan.
Among them were the Home Adviser, the Law Adviser, the Environment and Forest Adviser, and the Housing and Public Works Adviser. Senior military and civilian officials were also present.
A wide array of naval assets including frigates, corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, minesweepers, missile boats, patrol craft, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, and specialised naval force teams took part in the five-day exercise.
The Bangladesh Air Force, the Bangladesh Coast Guard and other maritime agencies also joined directly or indirectly.
According to ISPR, the multi-phase exercise included tactical fleet manoeuvres, coastal defence drills, observation missions, logistics operations, and the protection of strategic naval installations.
The final day showcased some of the most advanced operational capabilities of the force, including ship-borne missile firing, shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile firing, anti-aircraft rapid firing, rocket depth charge deployment, UAV operations, naval commando drills, and Helicopter Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (HVBSS) operations.
Officials said the primary objectives of the annual exercise are to strengthen maritime security, safeguard sea lines of communication, protect marine resources, counter piracy and smuggling, and reinforce patrol capability in Bangladesh’s territorial waters.
At the closing ceremony, guests praised the Bangladesh Navy for its professionalism, operational readiness and increasing contribution to the national economy, alongside its core responsibility of protecting the country’s maritime sovereignty.