Surface Forces: Bangladesh Learns From China

Archives

January 16, 2017: At the end of 2016 Bangladesh launched the first of two locally built Durjoy class corvettes. Bangladesh already has two Durjoys in service that were built in China according to Bangladeshi specifications and entered service in 2013. The Durjoys are based on the Chinese Type 056 corvettes, a 1,500 ton ship that has performed very well since the first one entered service in 2013 and 40 are already in service or on order.

The Durjoy is a 650 ton ship that is obviously smaller (and cheaper) than the 056 but has the same size crew (60) and similar, but fewer, weapons. These include four C-704 anti-ship missiles, one 76mm gun, two 30mm remotely controlled autocannon, depth charges and two torpedo tubes. Top speed is 50 kilometers an hour and max endurance is 15 days. The Durovs lack the anti-aircraft missile system of the 056 but still retain the ability to detect and attack submarines.

The Durjoys are part of process that began in 2011 when Bangladesh bought seven 250 ton patrol boats from China. Two were built in China and the rest Bangladesh. These 30 meter (93 foot) vessels are part of a continuing effort to rebuild the Bangladeshi Navy at a cost (as low as possible) that Bangladesh can afford. Most other nations in the region are also building their own warships. This includes India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close