The UK has sold a former Royal Navy survey ship to the Bangladesh Navy, bolstering the South Asian force’s maritime protection capability.
Named HMS Enterprise (H88), the vessel was commissioned in 2002 and relieved from service in 2023 after reaching its expected lifespan.
The ship is an Echo-class multi-purpose hydrographic system built to carry multiple sensors to provide scanning of surface and underwater domains in support of the British military’s submarine, amphibious, and mine countermeasures missions.
London said that the Enterprise’s transfer reflects its strong partnership with Dhaka and demonstrates its commitment to promoting stability across the Indo-Pacific and the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean.
“The sale of this survey vessel reflects the deep trust and strong cooperation between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh,” said Sarah Cooke, British high commissioner to 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.”
The HMS Enterprise
The Enterprise measures 91 meters (299 feet) long and has a beam of 17 meters (56 feet). It can accommodate up to 70 sailors and has space for a survey motor boat.
It is powered by three diesel generators, two azimuth thrusters, and a bow thruster for a speed of 15 knots (17 miles/28 kilometers per hour) and a range of 9,300 nautical miles (10,702 miles/17,224 kilometers.
Alongside sensing equipment, the ship is integrated with 20-millimeter cannons, heavy machine guns, and auxiliary weapons to maintain firepower during deployments.
