Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah takes charge as Navy Chief

He succeeded Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, who handed over command after completing his tenure, said an ISPR press release this afternoon.

His three-year tenure will conclude on July 22, 2029.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and outgoing Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan adorned Rear Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim with the rank badges of Vice Admiral at the Armed Forces Division (AFD) Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment here.

The Head of the Government congratulated the newly promoted Naval Chief and wished him success in his new responsibilities.

In response, Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim thanked the prime minister on behalf of the Bangladesh Navy and sought his guidance in transforming the force into a more modern, capable and technology-oriented service.

Adviser to the Armed Forces Division and the Ministry of Defence, Chief of Air Staff, Quartermaster General of the Bangladesh Army, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division and other senior military officials attended the ceremony.

Later in the afternoon, the formal handover and takeover ceremony was held at the Naval Headquarters, the ISPR release mentioned.
 
Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim signed the command transfer register, officially assuming command of the Bangladesh Navy in the presence of Principal Staff Officers and other senior naval officers.

Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim joined the Bangladesh Navy on January 1, 1987, and was commissioned in the Executive Branch in 1989.

He completed his initial naval training with distinction in the Royal Malaysian Navy and later earned a PhD in Maritime Governance after pursuing higher education and advanced military training at home and abroad.

During his nearly four-decade career, he served in a wide range of command, staff and training appointments, including Commander of Chattogram Naval Area, Commander of Dhaka Naval Area, Commander Submarines and Commandant of the Bangladesh Naval Academy. 

He also served as Director of Naval Operations and Director of Naval Plans at Naval Headquarters, commanded several warships and naval bases, and performed important duties in UN peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Most recently, he served as Bangladesh Ambassador to Oman, where he played a significant role in strengthening bilateral ties and promoting the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates.

For his distinguished service, he has received the Navy Medal (NBP), Navy Efficiency Medal (NPP), National Integrity Award and several other honours.

He has also authored a number of research papers on maritime security, defence and military strategy, reports BSS.

As the new Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim has pledged to further strengthen the Bangladesh Navy as a modern, technology-driven force by expanding indigenous shipbuilding and dockyard capabilities, promoting local technological innovation and modernising research and development in line with the PM’s "Made in Bangladesh" policy for the defence industry.