Submarines add to Bangladesh’s strategic deterrence

Reading Time: 2 minutes The rationale for the Bangladesh Navy to maintain a large fleet of diesel-electric and midget submarines is rooted in strategic deterrence, asymmetric warfare capabilities, regional maritime balance, and national defence imperatives. Here’s a breakdown: 🔱 Strategic Rationale for a Large Submarine Fleet 1. Asymmetric Deterrence Diesel-electric submarines (SSKs) offer stealth and lethality at a fraction of the cost of nuclear submarines. Midget submarines are ideal for shallow coastal waters, special operations, and mine-laying—providing tactical surprise. Submarines present a formidable deterrent against larger regional navies, particularly India’s, by threatening sea lines of communication (SLOCs) and high-value naval assets. 2. Protection of Maritime Interests Bangladesh has sovereign rights over a 118,813 sq km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Bay of Bengal. Submarines can protect offshore gas blocks, sea routes, and port infrastructure (e.g. Payra, Matarbari, and Chattogram). 3. Sea Denial and Area Denial Operations Submarines can impose