Desk News

Newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim was formally conferred the rank of Vice Admiral on Thursday at a ceremony held at the Armed Forces Division office in Dhaka Cantonment, marking the beginning of his tenure as the head of the Bangladesh Navy.

The rank badge was presented by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman alongside outgoing Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan during the official ceremony, according to Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.

The prime minister congratulated Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim on his appointment and expressed confidence in his leadership of the Bangladesh Navy. In response, the newly appointed naval chief conveyed his gratitude to the prime minister on behalf of the Bangladesh Navy and reaffirmed the force’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s maritime interests and serving the nation with professionalism.

Several senior military and government officials attended the ceremony, underscoring its significance. Among those present were Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Quartermaster General of the Army Lieutenant General Md Shahinur Rahman, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Mir Mushfiqur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Military Secretary Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, and Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim brings nearly four decades of naval service and extensive command experience to his new role. He joined the Bangladesh Navy on January 1, 1987, and was commissioned into the Executive Branch in 1989 after completing his initial naval training with distinction in the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Throughout his career, he pursued advanced military and academic education both at home and abroad, culminating in a PhD in Maritime Governance. His academic credentials, combined with his operational experience, have earned him recognition as one of the country’s most accomplished naval officers.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim held a wide range of key command, staff, and instructional appointments. He served as Commander of Chattogram Naval Area, Commander of Dhaka Naval Area, Commander Submarines, and Commandant of the Bangladesh Naval Academy. At Naval Headquarters, he also served as Director of Naval Operations and Director of Naval Plans, playing an important role in shaping the navy’s operational readiness and strategic development.

In addition to his headquarters assignments, he commanded several warships and naval bases, gaining extensive operational and leadership experience across different areas of naval responsibility.

The newly appointed naval chief also represented Bangladesh in international peacekeeping operations. He served in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, contributing to global peace and security while enhancing Bangladesh’s reputation in multinational military operations.

Before assuming his current position, Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim served as Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Oman. During his diplomatic assignment, he worked to strengthen bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Oman while promoting the interests and welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates living in the Gulf nation.

His long and distinguished military career has been recognised through several prestigious awards, including the Nau Bahini Padak (NBP), Nau Parodorshita Padak (NPP), the National Integrity Award, and numerous other honours for outstanding service.

The appointment of Vice Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim comes at a time when Bangladesh continues to strengthen its maritime security capabilities and expand its naval role in protecting the country’s strategic interests in the Bay of Bengal. With extensive operational, academic, diplomatic, and international peacekeeping experience, the new naval chief is expected to lead the Bangladesh Navy through its next phase of modernization and professional development.