The United Kingdom has transferred a former Royal Navy survey vessel to the Bangladesh Navy, strengthening the South Asian navy’s maritime security and protection capabilities.
The ship, HMS Enterprise (H88), was commissioned in 2002 and decommissioned in 2023 after completing its intended service life. The Echo-class vessel is a multi-role hydrographic platform designed to operate a wide array of sensors for surface and subsurface scanning in support of submarine operations, amphibious missions, and mine countermeasure activities.
UK authorities stated that the transfer reflects the strong bilateral partnership between London and Dhaka and underscores the UK’s commitment to promoting stability across the Indo-Pacific and the northeastern Indian Ocean region.
HMS Enterprise Profile
The vessel measures 91 meters in length with a beam of 17 meters and can accommodate up to 70 personnel, including capacity for a dedicated survey motor boat. It is powered by three diesel generators, supported by two azimuth thrusters and a bow thruster, enabling a top speed of 15 knots and an operational range of approximately 9,300 nautical miles.
In addition to its advanced sensing and survey equipment, HMS Enterprise is equipped with 20-millimeter cannons, heavy machine guns, and auxiliary weapons, providing organic defensive capability during deployments.
