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Many British military vessels have left the UK for the Dhaka over the past several years. HMS Enterprise, an Echo-class multi-role survey vessel - hydrographic oceanographic ship (SVHO), has become the latest ship to have been sold there.
She was decommissioned at HMNB Portsmouth in March 2023. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke referred to the historic relationship of older ships being sold in her statement.
She 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.”
Bangladesh has bought ships from China, South Korea, United States, and Singapore, as well as building their own vessels. Here are 11 UK ships which have been sold to Bangladesh.
1. Royal Navy Ships sold to Bangladesh - HMS Enterprise
It was confirmed that HMS Enterprise would be sold to Bangladesh, after long-running negotiations were completed. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said the sale reflects the deep trust between both nations. | Royal Navy
2. Royal Navy Ships sold to Bangladesh - HMS Dumbarton Castle
HMS Dumbarton Castle, a Castle-class offshore patrol ship which was commissioned in 1982, was decommissioned in 2008. She left Portsmouth in May 2010 with her sister ship Leeds Castle for a major regeneration work. She was recommissioned as BNS Bijoy. The ship was damaged in the 2020 Beirut port explosions while part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. | LA (Phot) Luis Holden
3. Royal Navy Ships sold to Bangladesh - HMS Shetland
Island-class offshore patrol vessel HMS Shetland, commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1977, was sold to Bangladesh in 2002. She was renamed BNS Kapatakhaya, and took part in several key operations such as Exercise Shomudro Torongo, a joint bilateral exercise with the Royal Navy at Ganges delta region in 2009. | Royal Navy
4. Royal Navy Ships sold to Bangladesh - HMS Leeds Castle
HMS Leeds Castle, a Castle-class offshore patrol ship which was commissioned in 1980, was decommissioned in 2005. She spent much of her time on fishery protection duties around the UK, and was a Falkland Islands guard ship. She was recommissioned as BNS Dhaleshwari in 2011, and has taken part in several multi-national exercises. | LA (Phot) Chris Wenham