Bangladesh Navy's annual sea exercise concluded with successful missile launch in the Bay of Bengal yesterday.

Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Major General (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique observed the final day's exercise from onboard Navy's modern ship, BNS Bangabandhu.

Earlier, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Z U Ahmed welcomed the defence adviser on his arrival in Chittagong, said an ISPR press release.

Maximum BN ships including frigates, offshore patrol vessels (OPV), minesweepers, patrol boats, missile boats, gun boats, torpedo boats and fighter aircrafts of Bangladesh Air Force took part in this sea exercise.

Some units of Bangladesh Army took part in the exercise in the coastal areas of Chittagong and Khulna. Besides, about 14 maritime agencies from seven ministries took part indirectly in this year's exercise.

The mentionable side of this four-phase exercise was navy fleet's tactical maneuver, Monitoring activities at sea, search & rescue operation, logistic operation, landing operation and defence of naval installations in costal areas.

The main focus of this exercise was to ensure sovereignty of the country, protection of marine resources, protection of Sea Line of Communication (SLOC) including anti- smuggling, anti-piracy, protection against sea pollution, protection of biodiversity in coastal areas and ensuring security at sea. Important events of the final day exercise were missile launch from navy ship, anti-submarine socket launch, anti-aircraft gunfire and various tactics of naval warfare.

The chief guest conveyed thanks to all participating officers and sailors in his speech to navy personnel of Chittagong on completion of the successful exercise.

He highly praised navy personnel for their high professional skill, efficiency and dedication. He remembered the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mentioned that Bangladesh Navy has come to this stage under his strong leadership and direction.

He also spoke on government's various activities for the over all development of the Navy and its entrance into three dimension.