Two weeks before an elected government assumes power in Bangladesh, two separate Pakistani and Chinese delegations comprising naval officers and North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO) business executives, respectively, reached Dhaka on February 1 to advance and finalise defence cooperation and acquisitions.
While the 13-member Pakistan Navy team of officers is led by Commodore Nasir Mehmood, the NORINCO delegation is headed by the state-controlled company’s Asia Pacific General Manager Ding Weimin.
South African Navy Commander Jabulani Donal Mashamba and Nigerian Navy’s Lieutenant Commander Ikenna Stephen Chima, described in Bangladesh Navy’s official documents as representatives of “friendly countries”, are part of the Pakistani team that will take part in the 55th Pakistan Navy Staff Course.
During their stay in Dhaka, the NORINCO team will take part in discussions on “technical specifications” for spare parts and “payment terms” before the finalisation of payment and draft agreements on February 3.
The Bangladesh Army heavily relies on NORINCO for armoured vehicle modernisation under its Forces Goal 2030, acquiring advanced tanks such as the VT-4A1 MBTs, VT5 light tanks, and upgraded Type 59G/69IIG vehicles. Recent ongoing cooperation includes importing the SY-400 guided missile system and Sky Dragon 100 air defense systems to enhance greater firepower.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Navy top brass on February 1 appointed a Pakistan Navy Rear Admiral as the Commandant of the country’s largest naval base.
An ‘Appointment Letter’ issued by Bangladesh’s naval headquarters on February 1 says that Rear Admiral Jahangir Adil Samdany is “hereby appointed BNS Sher-e-Bangla (Addl) as Commandant NATDOC and directed to report to your duties by 03 February 2026. You are to acknowledge receipt of this letter forthwith Naval Secretariat with a copy to the Commanding Officer BNS Sher-e-Bangla”.
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The NATDOC (Navy Training and Doctrine Command) is a new vertical within the Bangladesh Navy and is responsible for designing, managing and evaluating training curricula for personnel, and ensuring operational readiness. It focuses on quality control of training, developing training materials and maintaining documentation for naval operations, including anti-piracy, surveillance and disaster relief.
