Bangladesh Navy Tests Chinese Anti-Ship Missile

Bangladesh, with the help of China, test-launched its first C-802A anti-ship missile from a frigate in the Bay of Bengal on May 12. Commissioned in 1989, the 1,500-ton F-18 Osman is a Chinese-built Jianghu-class frigate. This is Dhaka's first C-802 missile test launch.

The navy acquired the improved C-802A variant and FM-90N SAM and the air force procured Chinese PL- air-to-air missiles in 2006. The number of units is unknown.

China has an intimate relationship with Bangladesh's military. Much of its army, navy and air force consists of Chinese hardware. In August 2007, Chinese Gen. Chen Bingde visited Bangladesh to discuss military sales and cooperation. Chen, a member of China's Central Military Commission, was also chief of the General Armament Department of the People's Liberation Army.

Bangladesh's navy inventory includes the Jianghu-class 1,500-ton F-18 Osman frigate, four 175-ton Huangfeng-class guided-missile patrol boats (PTG), five 68-ton Houku-class PTGs and other Chinese vessels, including a torpedo boat, patrol boat, submarine hunter, minesweeper, landing craft, tugs and survey craft.

The air force is equipped with two squadrons of Chengdu F-7Ms and Guizhou FT-7s, one squadron of Nanchang A-5Cs and Shenyang FT-6s, and one trainer squadron of Nanchang PT-6s.

Army equipment includes Chinese W-531 Type 85 armored personnel carriers, T-62 light tanks and T-59 main battle tanks. According to its declaration to the United Nations in 2007, covering 2006, China has sold 65 large-caliber artillery systems, including 18 122mm howitzers and 16 rocket launchers.