Royal Navy warship HMS Tamar met with warm welcome for joint training in Bangladesh

Royal Navy warship HMS Tamar joined the Bangladeshi Navy for joint training in the Bay of Bengal, the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean.

Crews of both navies spent a week together, fostering naval ties between the two countries.

HMS Tamar became the second Royal Navy warship in more than a year to visit the Commonwealth nation, after frigate HMS Kent's visit in 2021.

• 10 Navy ship names that might raise eyebrows
• Know your Navy – all the ships and subs in the Royal Navy
• HMS Protector scans active underwater volcanoes on Antarctic edge for tsunami research

HMS Tamar, a River-class patrol vessel, went up the River Karnaphuli leading into Chittagong, a port city on the south-eastern coast of Bangladesh.

Crews of Bangladeshi warships and Coast Guard vessels cheered Tamar into port, where a band, a 50-strong reception committee and a bouquet of flowers awaited Commanding Officer Commander Teilo Elliot-Smith.

The day ended with a traditional ceremonial sunset, with a week ahead of training and cultural exchanges.

Bangladeshi sailors were given a comprehensive tour of HMS Tamar, and were keen to learn about the capabilities of the relatively new vessel, launched in 2018.

Being a river patrol vessel, it was fitting that HMS Tamar was selected as the warship to visit Bangladesh, as the country is also known as the Land of Rivers, famed for having more than 700.

Cdr Elliot-Smith said: "From the moment we arrived, we have been hosted exceptionally. The Bangladeshi Navy have been very eager to exchange knowledge and understand the way we operate our Offshore Patrol Vessels."

He added: "The visit has made clear the strategic importance of Bangladesh. Its Navy approaches interaction with the UK with a great sense of reverence, and they celebrate unanimously that their doctrine and policies are aligned to our own."

During the visit, Tamar sailed with Bangladeshi patrol craft BNS Durjoy and Nirmal through the northern Bay of Bengal, with sailors trading places with each other to experience life on board each other's vessels.

After conducting a series of exercises in close proximity to the two other ships, Tamar continued south on the next stage of her Indian Ocean patrol.

HMS Tamar and her sister ship HMS Spey are on a five-year mission to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.