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F35 BNS Bijoy Corvette

BNS Dhaleshwari (ex-Leeds Castle, P258) and BNS Bijoy (ex-Dumbarton Castle, P265) were the largest offshore patrol vessels in the Bangladesh Navy, and the only patrol vessels with the distinction of accommodating helicopters. In service with the Bangladesh Navy they are classified as corvettes. These warships are part of FSG 25 squadron, which is the Bangladesh Navy's first corvette unit. It has been reported that the Bangladesh Navy had plans to equip these warships with anti-ship missile launchers in the future.

Two Castle class patrol vessels were ordered in August 1980 and were accepted into Royal Navy service in 1981 and 1982. The Castle class OPV was stabilised, twin screw and had a 10,000-mile range. These corvettes represented a significant increase in capability over the Island class, which itself has done very well. They were designed as a prototype development for a larger ship to replace the Navy's leander class frigate but failed to advance any further.

The ships are fitted with flight decks capable of supporting Sea King helicopters. Built by Aberdeen’s Hall Russell & Co, these 18 knot vessels served in fishery protection roles as well as Falkland Islands patrol vessels during their long RN service life before being de-commissioned in 2008 and 2005 respectively and laid up at HM Naval Base Portsmouth. In Royal Navy plans these vessels were intended to have ship life of about 30 years.

The UK Disposal Services Authority (DSA) successfully negotiated the sale and handover of HM Ships LEEDS CASTLE and DUMBARTON CASTLE (Castle Class Offshore Patrol Vessels) for £2.45m and HMS ROEBUCK offshore hydrographic launch for £4.4m, to the Bangladesh Navy. They were towed to Tyneside in early May 2010 to begin a three month ‘fast track’ conversion project, prior to being delivered to the Bangladesh Navy in Chittagong by their new ship’s companies later in the year.

A&P Group was successful against intense international competition to secure the regeneration contract for the two former Royal Navy Castle-class patrol vessels HMS Dumbarton Castle (P 265) and HMS Leeds Castle (P 258) which have now been bought by the Bangladesh Navy. A&P Group had been in negotiations with the Government of Bangladesh since the end of 2009 on this project, with the contract being signed in Dhaka at the Bangladesh Navy’s HQ on 15 April. Work on the two 81m vessels will be undertaken at the Hebburn yard of A&P Tyneside.

The work package for the conversion of the two Castle-class for the Bangladesh Navy includes: the overhaul of each vessel’s twin Ruston 12RKC main engines (5,640bhp), gearboxes, shafts and motors; the installation of new diesel generators and deck cranes, a significant upgrade will also be undertaken to each vessel’s accommodation to double the ship’s company from RN days, as well as the recommissioning of all ship systems that have been idle for five years. A&P specialist training team will also train the Bangladesh Navy crews in the operation of their new vessels as part of the overall contract.

The former HMS Dumbarton Castle, now named Bijo, with 73 people on board, almost ran aground off the Tyneside coast after suffering engine failure during sea trials in October 2010. Two tugs managed to secure lines to the ship and are leading it back to the River Tyne.

BNS Dhaleshwari (F36) and BNS Bijoy (F35), were formally handed over on 24 September 2010.