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JS body to back Navy upgrade

Shakhawat Liton
The parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry will extend all-out support to Bangladesh Navy for upgrading it into a three-dimensional force by introducing new frigates, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft and other equipment.
As part of the plan, chief of the parliamentary body, M Idris Ali, said the committee will hold discussion at its next meeting early April to review progress of
implementation of the ten-year plan to strengthen the navy.
"Apart from the review, we will also discuss what should be done more in the wake of new situation and ask the government to take necessary steps to that effect," Idris, also a former defence secretary, told The Daily Star.
After Bangladesh won a landmark verdict on March 14 which established the country's rights over the Bay of Bengal, he said there is no alternative to enhancing
capabilities of navy to protect the natural resources in the territorial water.
The navy in June 2009 informed the parliamentary body about its ambitious ten-year (2009-2019) plan to enhance its capabilities through completion of necessary purchase -- new frigates, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft and other equipment — at an estimated cost ofTk6,000 crore.
After assuming power in January 2009, the Awami League-led government on several times informed parliament about its plans to make new purchases for navy and other two forces --army and air force — to strengthen them further.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has recently told the House her government has already signed agreements in past two fiscals to purchase helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, offshore survey vessels and other weapons and equipment for the navy.
"From the very beginning, we have been urging the government to take necessary measures to strengthen the naval force," Idris, also a ruling AL MP, said citing the proceedings of a meeting of his committee held on June22,2009.
At that meeting, navy placed a report before the committee disclosing its plans and problems. The navy had said it was facing difficulties in safeguarding the country's economic interests and exercising maritime control over the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf due to lack of modern
equipment, manpower and fund.
The navy also sought prudent directives of the parliamentary committee for overcoming their limitations so that the force can fulfil the nation's expectations, meeting sources told The Daily Star at that time.
Idris said all members of the committee at that time had agreed that navy should be strengthened for the sake of national interest. "Now, we will pursue the government to take necessary steps immediately in this regard."
Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, a member of the committee, said: "Strengthening the navy has now become the need of time after we won the sea."
Talking to The Daily Star yesterday over telephone, he said he had already talked to the chief of the committee and this will be the main agenda at the next meeting.
"Taking steps to strengthen the navy has now become our national duty. We will recommend for it. And if necessary, we will talk to the prime minister, who also holds the defence portfolio," Humayun added.
On the role of the parliamentary body, Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, who was chief of this committee in last parliament, said the members of this committee can play a bold role in continuously pursuing the government to take appropriate measures for a strong navy.
"If the committee speaks loudly of the need for strengthening the navy, it will also help create mass awareness of the need," he observed.