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CHAPTER –V

EXISTING ASW WEAPON CAPBILITY OF BN

Torpedo
0501. A modern torpedo is an underwater ranged weapon launched
above or below the water surface, self-propelled towards a target, and with
an explosive warhead designed to detonate either on contact with or in
proximity to the target. Historically, such a device was called an automotive,
automobile, locomotive or fish torpedo; colloquially a  fish. The
term torpedo originally applied to a variety of devices, most of which would
today be called mines. From about 1900, torpedo has been used strictly to
designate a self-propelled underwater explosive device.
a. Torpedo A.244/S Mod1 is a high-speed deep running weapon that uses
active and passive homing to perform its mission. This is an ASW lightweight
torpedo, an improved version of A244 torpedo Modelled on US MK-44 Torpedo.
The Torpedo is equipped with a re-programmable and more powerful electronic
package which improves effectiveness against not coated and coated
submarines which are either steady or fast speed, both in very shallow and deep
water.

b. The ET52C Torpedo is a thermal propulsion, acoustic homing and

lightweight antisubmarine torpedo. It can be launched from surface and
helicopters. It mainly is used to attack the nuclear power and conventional power
submarine of enemy.

c. ET40 torpedo is an electrically propelled multi-functional acoustic and

wake homing anti-submarine/anti-ship torpedo that features long range, double
speed and heavy weight. It is designed to be launched by tube from a submarine
for fighting against conventional submarine, nuclear submarine and
large/medium surface ship at an appropriate mode set according to the
characteristics of the target. For the active acoustic homing torpedo, wake
homing torpedo or straight-running torpedo, salvo can be achieved to increase
the probability of detection of the target.

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Ser Platform Torpedo Max Ops

Detection State
Range

1. BNS A 244S mod-I 7.1km Ops

BANGABANDHU

2. BNS DURGAM/ ET 52 C 9.4 Km Ops

NISHAN

3. BNS JOYJATRA ET 40 18 km Ops

/BNS
NOBOJATRA

0502. Rocket Depth Charge

The Type - 62 Rocket Depth Charge (RDC) is a Jet propelled under water weapon
launched from the surface vessel. It is used to destroy and damage enemy S/M by its
automatic explosion at a certain pre-set depth. However, sometimes it is also used to
attack the surface or coastal target. Following are the requirement for an A/S Weapon:

a. Explode at a pre- determined depth , as nearly as possible that of the

submarine.
b. Remain safe until it has been thrown or dropped well clear of the ship and
is under water.
c. Remain Safe in the event of :
(1) The ship being sunk while the weapon is still on board.
(2) The weapon being accidentally dropped on deck.
(3) Being accidentally fired on released.

Ser Platform RDC Max Ops

Range State

1. BNS DURJOY/ Type 3110 m (fly) Ops

NIRMUL 3200
350-400 m(Depth)

2. BNS NIRBHOY Type 1450 m(fly) Non

1200
240 (Depth) Ops

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0503. NAVAL MINE A mine is an explosive device laid in the water with the
intention of damaging or sinking ships or of deterring shipping from entering an area.
The term does not include devices attached to the bottom of ships or to harbour
installations by personnel operating underwater. From the simple mine of 1776, it has
now developed into a lethal weapon with various techniques of laying them in water,
and various methods of actuation. In order that mining may be conducted when and
where desired, plans must be prepared in advance for those arms in which a potential
mining requirement exists. Suitable mine stocks must be available. Forces maintained
in readiness should be small and effective nuclei capable of rapid augmentation.
Supplementary forces available to conduct additional mining may be necessary after
initial offensive actions.

Ser Platform MINE Max Ops

Detection State
Range

1. BNS a. Chinese MSG Mine –500S Alive. Ops

BANGABANDHU b. Chinese MSG Mine –1000S Alive.

BNS DURJOY/ c. 500S Exercises Mine.

NIRMUL d. EM-71A 500s training ground Mine

26 PCS e. Sticking Mine M-71.

f. Training striking Mine M –71.
BNS SAGAR
g. Anchor –1 Water Mine
SS

0504. At present BN has only few ASW weapon. Again the

performance of ASW weapon is subjected to the undersea environment and
crew efficiency. The limitations of the Existing ASW weapon Capability of BN
are appended below:
a. River class minesweeper can sweep only moored buoyant mines
b. No capability of mine hunting
c. EOD capability is very limited
d. No degaussing ranges
e. Monitoring mine field may not always be possible
f. No modern mines held in the inventory
g. Our torpedo are smart but launching platforms are very less.
h. There is no ASW capable Helo or aircraft

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i. The only Mine Avoidance Sonar CMAS 36/39 on board BNS

SAGAR is non operational since few years.
h. The efficiency of TAS branch officers and sailors is yet to be
improved to meet the requirement. Most of the crews are only
trained on the theory of underwater acoustic and basic operation of
Sonar. Maximum of them don’t have the exposure on operating the
Sonar at sea. Only a few personnel posted on board a ship fitted
with Sonar, get the opportunity to operate it. Again TAS branch
sailors are not separated as sensor and weapon crews. Thus
efficiency is degrading specially as sensor crew.
Opportunity
0505. Presently, BN is resting at the ascending stage of development in
aspect of warfare. Incorporation of new platform and technology in BN
inventory is truly an encouraging factor. But in aspect of ASW the
development is not that much remarkable. However, the operational Sonar
fitted on board BN ships can be effectively used for the training of the crews
and conducting various ASW exercises. So far, BN has conducted various
ASW exercises with simulated SM. But in near future, augmentation of SM in
BN fleet will permit a realistic ASW exercise. To conduct such exercises,
BN ships will have to be equipped with ASW weapon.
Threat
0506. As BN has got very limited capability to detect UW target, our potential
adversaries may exploit this opportunity. UW of BOB pertinent to BD is not
monitored so SM can play havoc in this area. India is a formidable SM force
and it is certain that our weakness is known to them. A comparative study on
ASW weapon and UW detection sensors between Bangladesh and India
clearly reflects the poor strength of BN fleet in aspect of UW surveillance.
Myanmar is already equipped with kilo class SM and may also exploit our
weakness in future.
Summary
0507. After analysing SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat), it is
evident that in aspect of ASW weapon capability BN is just at the elementary level. At
present BN has only few ASW platforms with very nominal number of ships and hardly
effective due to various constrains. ASW weapon and Underwater detection system
progressed remarkably in the modern era. Sophisticated sensors are introduced to
provide the necessary intelligence which is essential to ensure maritime security,
maintain uninterrupted SLOC (Sea Line of communication) and protect the Coastal
installation against any undersea threat. To achieve the viable ASW capability and
maintain vigilance at sea against underwater adversaries, BN needs to adopt new
technologies. To evaluate the existing ASW weapon capability of BN a limited survey
was conducted (questionnaire attached as Annex E) amongst BN officers of various
ranks and expertise. Almost 90% of them think that existing underwater detection
capability of BN is insufficient to form effective ASW capability.
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NATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND INTERESTS

0508. Each nation has got her own objectives. Here national objectives are those aims
or goals, whose attainment will further develop national interest or produce effects
conducive to national security and well being. In order to attain national objectives, the
government formulates and follows broad but definite course of action. These are
called national policies. We shall try to discuss all relevant matters concerning our
national objectives, interests and policies.
0509. Bangladesh having a population over 120 million stand as the most densely
populated country in the world. It is one of the world’s poorest countries and crippled
with multifarious socio-economic problems like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and so
on. Moreover, she is a country in the South Asian region, which is marked by the World
Bank as the most prominent poverty pocket of the world. So it is the economic
backwardness which can be identified as the primary reason for our overall
backwardness. Thus our national objective since the independence in 1971 has always
been to upgrade the national economy. This national objective was common to all of
our previous governments as well as the present.

0510. Our country has a wide range of national interests. In generic term it can be
divided into three categories as economic, political and security interest. Economic
interests always get the priority overall other interests. Though sometime political
interests subjugates the other interests which is a bad phenomenon and brings distress
for the country especially for a country like ours. The first and foremost security interest
of our country is to safeguard the countries sovereignty and territorial integrity. To meet
up this interest a nation formulates her defence policy. Maritime strategy covers a
portion of the national policies. To be more specific, it is a combination of both foreign
and defence policy of a nation.

DEFENCE POLICY

0511. As our nation is poor so it is a luxury for us to maintain a large defence force
only for the military interest. It is also has to contribute towards nation building
activities. So we require a moderately sophisticated force to defend our land and in
case of need the whole nation to be mobilised for safeguarding the homeland.
Considering this, the proposed defense policy is:

a. Armed forces should be small in size and moderately sophisticated.

b. Deter any aggression of adversaries and look for a diplomatic solution.
c. Defense forces must be capable of countering low intensity conflicts.
d. In case of all out war, defense forces should be capable of maintaining
status quo and prolong the war as much as possible. In the meantime govt
should take all out efforts to resolve the problem diplomatically.

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e. If it is not possible to fight against the aggressors by conventional

operation then revert to unconventional warfare that mean guerrilla warfare.
f. Integrate para-military and auxiliary force with armed forces to increase the
strength.
g. The secondary role of defense force should be utilized properly to nation
building activities during peacetime.

BUDGET ANALYSIS
0512. Bangladesh is a developing nation. Due to economic constraints our
defence budget is not handsome always. Moreover naval budget is a mere percentage
of the defence budget by which it becomes very cumbersome to purchase modern
naval hardware. Even though to preserve maritime security, building up a considerable
navy is pre-requisite. This implies correct uses of resources, proper allocation and
consumption of allocated budget. Our Defence Budget for 2020-2021 is Tk 26,731
crores increasing in real terms by about 4% per annum. The naval budget has also
increased gradually 15% to 23.2% of total Defence Budget. Inflation rate of the
country is 5.59%. We can spend only 50% of our naval budget as the capital cost.

Increased Remarks
Year Defense Budget Naval Budget Budget Amount
(In Crore) By year
(In Crore)
(In Crore)
15% of DB
2010 - 2011 8,399 1,246

2011 - 2012 9,048 1,406 15.5% of DB

2012 - 2013 10,045 1,524 15.17% of DB

2013 - 2014 10,457 1,640 15.7% of DB

2014 - 2015 12,791 2,426 18.9% of DB

Procurement
2015 – 2016 14,562 2,817 19.3% of DB Of 50% of
NB on
2016 - 2017 18,476 3,524 19.0% of DB capital
2017 - 2018 20,104 3,916 19.5% of DB purchase

2018 - 2019 23,434 4,509 19.3% of DB (In Crore)

2019 - 2020 25,662 5,450 21.2% of DB

2020 - 2021 26,731 6,195 23.2% of DB

PROPOSED ASW PLATFORMS

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0513. The size and power of our navy must commensurate with its responsibilities and
the anticipated threats to our maritime security. Its performance is conditioned by the
use of suitable ships, aircraft, weapons and equipment and the infrastructure to support
naval operations. To fulfil our requirement we propose to have following ASW
ORBAT .
SHIP/ESTB
QTY

FFG 03

CORVETTE 04

MPA 02

ORGANIC HELO 03

0514. Our desire to have 03 in number of FFGs and 04 in number of corvettes

is to fight in ASW scenario. This will also help us to deploy at least two task groups
each with 01 FFGs and 02 Corvettes along with FAC (G) in time of crisis.
Considerations are made to deploy at least one-escort group with one FFG along with
a single Corvette. This escort duty certainly improves the safety protection of our
merchant fleet. From this group it is expected that 15 percent will undergo refit or
docking schedule.

0515. Shipborne Hello will perform the duties of OTHT and ASW, which will
make our ASW force as a strong one. Land based MPA now a days plays a vital role
for surveillance, patrol and ASW operation. As we cannot put many ships to our EEZ
patrol and also it is not economic so to give a better coverage of our sea area, we
require Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and the long endurance of MPA will help BN to
get advance information of distant enemy during war.

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