China Tuesday launched a new frigate built for the Bangladesh Navy.
The frigate, with a displacement of 1,300 tonnes and a maximum speed of 25 knots, is 90 metres long and measures 11 metres across the beam. It can accommodate 80 crew members, according to a Xinhua report.
The vessel was launched in Wuhan city in Hubei province.
It will be the most advanced frigate in the Bangladesh Navy, which will be a boost to its coastal defence capabilities and to the China-Bangladesh friendship, said a navy official at the launch ceremony.
The frigate can detect, identify and destroy surface and aerial targets and can also carry out maritime monitoring and patrol operations, and search and rescue missions, said Cai Libin, deputy general manager of the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group, the builder of the frigate.
It is equipped with 76 mm and 30 mm naval guns as well as ship-to-ship and ship-to-air missiles.
Bangladesh has bought two frigates from China. The first was launched in November.
