Local media reported that Chinese brokers based in Dhaka, Bangladesh has paid kickbacks to Bangladesh Navy officials to facilitate sales of obsolete Chinese warships and submarines to Bangladesh Navy.
The Bangladesh Navy (BN) commissioned several vessels – including two Chinese junk frigates in a ceremony held on 5 November at its naval facilities in the port city of Chittagong.
China had handed over the two Type 053H3 (Jiangwei II)-class frigates to the BN in December 2019 following an overhaul. The 112 m-long vessels, which can reach a top speed of 24 n miles, were previously in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) where they were known as Jiaxing and Lianyungang.
According to Chinese media, the BN procured the two ex-PLAN frigates under a deal signed in June 2018.
Local media reported that Chinese brokers based in Dhaka, Bangladesh has paid kickbacks to Bangladesh Navy officials to facilitate sales of obsolete Chinese warships and submarines to Bangladesh Navy.
These warships are believed to be too old even Chinese standard. It is no secret that in its eagerness to counter India and strengthen its position in Bangladesh, China sold two obsolete 1970s era Ming class Type 035G submarines to Bangladesh at US$100 million each in 2017.
Similar incidents have occurred in Algeria, Bangladesh and even iron brother Pakistan which is left with six out of nine non-functioning air defence systems (LOMADS), bought recently at exorbitant prices. Bangladeshi media reported, Bangladesh Navy officers involved in corruption, money laundering and diversion of defense procurement fund hence the Navy has to acquire obsolete Chinese warships.
Similar incidents have occurred in Algeria, Bangladesh and even iron brother Pakistan which is left with six out of nine non-functioning air defence systems (LOMADS), bought recently at exorbitant prices.
This included a non-functioning navigation radar and gun system. this weapons glut has led to allegations of inferior and substandard quality of military equipment which have repeatedly failed to deliver when required, and have even resulted in the loss of lives of their users.
When it comes to nation states, China’s record as an arms exporter has been abysmal. The list of defective armaments supplied by the PLA is long, and its quality of products supplied is questionable to say the least.
A recent report highlighted the purchase of 20 surface combatants from China by the Bangladesh Navy acquired under a Government to Government deal and a number of defects onboard these vessels, with discussions underway to mitigate these long pending defects.
The same report article extensively reported major defects, across various classes of ships built by the Chinese, including rapid corrosion of the underwater hull and propellers, welding defects, excessive vibrations of main engines etc.
Ships’ operating speeds have also shown a reduction of up to 5 knots within a few years of commissioning.
While multiple problems in machinery controls, onboard electronics, faulty PCBs etc have also been plaguing these ships, submarines fitted with obsolete Halon fire-fighting systems went out of production in 1994
Six China-made Y12e and MA60 aircraft, already rejected by Bangladesh, were purchased by Nepal for its national airlines but now are lying useless as they are neither suited for Nepal’s terrain nor are spare parts available for them.
The Chinese have also refused to consider Nepal’s requests to replace them.
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