Britain has agreed the sale of the Royal Navy’s survey vessel HMS Enterprise to the Bangladesh Navy, the UK Government confirmed in an official announcement. The agreement was signed at Bangladesh Navy Headquarters after extensive technical engagement between the Bangladesh Navy, the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy.
The UK statement describes the ship’s record in survey operations, humanitarian support and disaster‑response missions and says it will strengthen Bangladesh’s maritime security and regional stability efforts. The platform will add hydrographic and oceanographic capability and provide scientific research functions.
Officials said the vessel will open significant research opportunities for Bangladeshi universities. The Government framed the transfer as support for a prosperous, stable, free and open Indo‑Pacific and Bay of Bengal, underlining ongoing UK–Bangladesh defence cooperation.
Attendees at the signing included the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke; the Defence Attaché in Dhaka, Commander Lee Norton; and UK Ministry of Defence Commercial Officer Nanise Qalobulawasaikabara. Bangladesh was represented by Admiral M. Nazmul Hassan, Chief of Naval Staff, and Rear Admiral Jahangir Adil Samdany, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Logistics).
In remarks cited by the UK Government, Sarah Cooke said the sale reflects deep trust and strong cooperation between the two countries and welcomed a new chapter for the ship in support of Bangladesh’s maritime capability and shared security in the Bay of Bengal.
The announcement positions the transfer as a practical contribution to maritime domain awareness and regional stability rather than a shift in combat power. Hydrographic and oceanographic capacity underpins safe navigation, port access and disaster‑response tasks referenced in the Government announcement.
Policy Wire analysis: For Bangladesh, enhanced survey capability supports modern charting and maritime domain awareness in the Bay of Bengal. For the UK, the sale signals continuity in defence diplomacy and capacity‑building with partners across the Indo‑Pacific.
Academic participation is a notable feature. The Government states that the ship will offer significant research opportunities for Bangladeshi universities, creating structured avenues for data collection, training and Navy–university collaboration in ocean science.