The United Kingdom and Bangladesh have strengthened their defence partnership with the signing of a government-to-government agreement for the sale of the former Royal Navy survey

vessel HMS Enterprise to the Bangladesh Navy.

The agreement was formally signed at Bangladesh Navy Headquarters after months of technical discussions involving the Bangladesh Navy, the UK Ministry of Defence, and the Royal Navy. The Echo-class hydrographic and oceanographic survey ship has a long record of service, supporting maritime surveys, humanitarian operations, and disaster-response missions around the world.

Once inducted into the Bangladesh Navy, the vessel is expected to significantly enhance the country’s maritime security capabilities and contribute to regional stability in the Bay of Bengal. Beyond defence operations, the ship will provide advanced hydrographic and oceanographic surveying capacity, as well as scientific research support. Officials say it will also open new research and training opportunities for Bangladeshi universities and maritime institutions.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior representatives from both countries. The UK delegation included British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke, Commander Lee Norton, Defence Attaché at the British High Commission in Dhaka, and Nanise Qalobulawasaikabara, Commercial Officer at the UK Ministry of Defence. Representing Bangladesh were Admiral M. Nazmul Hassan, Chief of Naval Staff, and Rear Admiral Jahangir Adil Samdany, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Logistics).

The sale of HMS Enterprise underscores the UK’s ongoing commitment to defence cooperation with Bangladesh and reflects shared objectives to promote maritime security, freedom of navigation, and stability across the Indo-Pacific region and the Bay of Bengal. Photo by UK Ministry of Defence, Wikimedia commons.