The United Kingdom and Bangladesh have signed a government-to-government (G2G) agreement for the procurement of the former Royal Navy hydrographic survey vessel HMS Enterprise, marking a significant step in strengthening maritime cooperation and enhancing the operational capability of the Bangladesh Navy.
The contract signing ceremony was held at Naval Headquarters in Dhaka on 8 February 2026. The event was attended by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, alongside senior Bangladesh Navy officials and invited guests. Representing the United Kingdom were the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke; Defence Attaché at the British High Commission Dhaka, Commander Lee Norton; and UK Ministry of Defence Commercial Officer Nanise Qalobulawasaikabara.
The agreement follows extensive technical engagement between the Bangladesh Navy, the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy. Under the deal, Bangladesh will acquire HMS Enterprise, an Echo-class hydrographic and oceanographic survey vessel, on an “off-the-shelf” basis.
HMS Enterprise has served the Royal Navy with distinction, undertaking hydrographic and oceanographic survey missions worldwide, as well as contributing to humanitarian assistance and disaster-response operations. The vessel is equipped with advanced sonar systems and survey equipment capable of conducting detailed seabed mapping and maritime data collection.
For Bangladesh, the induction of the vessel is expected to significantly enhance hydrographic survey operations, navigational support services and marine resource management. The platform will also support the country’s Blue Economy initiatives and expand scientific research capabilities, offering valuable opportunities for collaboration with Bangladeshi universities and research institutions.
Speaking at the ceremony, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said:
“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.”
From the Bangladesh side, Rear Admiral Jahangir Adil Samdany, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Logistics), was also present at the signing, underscoring the importance of the acquisition within the Navy’s ongoing modernisation efforts.
The procurement represents an important milestone in the professional development and force modernisation of the Bangladesh Navy. Beyond enhancing national maritime domain awareness, the vessel is expected to contribute to regional maritime security and stability in the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indo-Pacific.
The sale further highlights the UK’s continued partnership with Bangladesh in promoting a stable, secure and rules-based maritime environment, reinforcing defence ties between the two nations.
Commissioned: 2003
Displacement: ~3,700 tonnes
Length: 90.5 m
Crew: ~72
Role: Deep-water hydrographic & oceanographic survey
Key Strengths
- Designed specifically for global deep-ocean survey
- High endurance and ocean-going stability
- Advanced multi-beam echo sounders (deep and shallow water)
- Dedicated survey motor launches
- Proven expeditionary deployments (Middle East, Caribbean, Mediterranean)
- Strong command, control and data-processing capability
Amit Bhattacharya is a leading defence procurement expert with deep expertise in modern weapon systems and military hardware acquisition. Over more than a decade, he has collaborated with top defence contractors and strategic research institutions, delivering incisive analysis on procurement frameworks, capability development, and technology integration for armed forces worldwide. Amit bridges the gap between operational requirements and industrial capacity, providing authoritative evaluations of modernisation programmes, defence budgets, and acquisition reforms in both established and emerging defence markets. He leads the Defence Procurement and Defence Industry sections at BDMilitary, shaping strategic discourse on defence innovation. Amit earned his Master of Policy and Governance (MPAG) from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, complementing his practical expertise with advanced policy and governance insight.
