Submarines add to Bangladesh’s strategic deterrence

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:

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🔱 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 sea denial in contested areas and protect Bangladesh’s coastal approaches.
• During conflict, they can disrupt enemy logistics, enforce naval blockades, or cut off vital sea-lanes (e.g., Indian shipping through the Malacca Strait or the Andaman Sea).

4. Strategic Posture and Regional Influence

• A credible submarine force elevates Bangladesh’s maritime stature, enhances blue-water ambitions, and allows participation in regional maritime security frameworks.
• It also hedges against increasing Chinese, Indian, and US naval presence in the Bay of Bengal.

5. Coastal Special Forces & Covert Ops

• Midget submarines can deploy Naval Special Warfare Units (e.g., SWADS) for covert beach reconnaissance, sabotage, and anti-ship mine laying.
• Useful in a future contingency against Myanmar or during black ops in littoral zones.

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⚓ Fleet Composition (Proposed by 2040)

🚢 Submarine Types

Class	Type	Role	Number
Type 039A (Yuan-class) or equivalent	Diesel-Electric AIP	Blue-water patrol, anti-shipping	8
Type 035G (Upgraded) or equivalent	Diesel-Electric	Coastal defence, training	2
Midget Submarine (~150-300 tons)	Diesel-Electric	Special operations, shallow water ops	6–8

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📍 Submarine Bases

1. BNS Pekua Submarine Base – Cox’s Bazar

• Primary submarine base for strategic submarine operations.
• Can host all major diesel-electric submarines.
• Underground pen for stealth maintenance and rearmament.
• Home to:
  • 4 Type 039A-class subs
  • 2 Type 035G
  • 4 midget submarines
  • Naval SOF detachment (SWADS)

2. BNS Sher-e-Bangla Submarine Naval Base – Barishal

• Secondary strategic base covering northern Bay of Bengal, Meghna estuary, and entry to Dhaka Riverine Defence Zone.
• More suitable for midget submarine operations and shallow water patrolling.
• Home to:
  • 2 Type 039A subs (rotational)
  • 4 midget submarines
  • Naval mine warfare unit
  • Quick reaction commando detachment (SWADS)

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🛰️ Support & ISR

• Submarine Command & Control Centre (SCCC) at Dhaka Navy HQ, linked with maritime surveillance drones, satellites, and sonar arrays.
• Submarine tenders, submarine rescue ship, ASW helicopters (Z-9EC, AW159), and UAVs for sub support.

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🧭 Summary

Location	Sub Type	Quantity
Cox’s Bazar	Type 039A	4
	Type 035G	2
	Midget Sub	4
Barishal	Type 039A	4
	Midget Sub	4
Total Fleet		16–18 submarines

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