The first Large Patrol Craft (LPC) for Bangladesh Navy launched

Large patrol craft for Navy launched→ Staff Correspondent
The first Large Patrol Craft (LPC) for Bangladesh Navy, being constructed in China, was launched at Wuchang Shipyard in China on Sunday. ispr PHOTO

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Captain AM Quamrul Huq, as the representative of Bangladesh Navy, Assistant Defence Attaché (Navy) of Bangladesh Embassy in China, high officials from the Chinese side and representatives from Bangladesh community in Wuhan were present at the ceremony, says an ISPR release.

The BN Large Patrol Craft have an overall length of 64m and displacement 648 tons at a top speed of 28 knots.

Each LPC has been armed with Surface-to-Surface Missile, Guns and Subsurface Weapons integrated with command and control system, including the state-of-the-art combat, navigation, communication systems and other sophisticated machinery and equipment.

These Large Patrol Crafts have been constructed to suit Bangladesh Navy’s specific requirements and are highly potent platforms.

Their mission spans the entire spectrum of naval warfare, including Air, Surface and Sub-surface. They will be primarily deployed to perform maritime defence and surveillance in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Bangladesh.

They will also be used for maritime search and rescue, fishery and natural resources protection, as well as law enforcement duties.

The second warship under the present project is expected to be launched soon. After necessary tests and trials, the ships will soon join BN Flotilla in Bangladesh.

Through this, Bangladesh would step ahead in implementing the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s vision of a stronger navy.

The present government has taken up a detailed plan for induction of various warships, helicopter and aircraft to upgrade the navy into a three dimensional force. This shipbuilding project would also enhance Bangladesh-China friendship, the release added.