Khondaker Misbah-ul-Azeem, NBP, NPP, NDU, AFWC, PSC, MPhil, PhD, has taken charge as the new Chief of the Bangladesh Navy after being promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral. He has replaced the outgoing Chief of the Navy, Admiral M Nazmul Hasan.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and outgoing Chief of the Navy, Admiral M Nazmul Hasan, presented the Vice Admiral rank badge to the newly appointed Chief of the Navy at the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday (July 23) morning. At the time, the Prime Minister congratulated the newly appointed Chief of the Navy.

Later, the newly appointed Chief of the Navy expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Bangladesh Navy and sought her valuable advice and guidance to make the Navy a more modern, capable and timely force. Senior military officials including the Chief of Air Staff, the Quartermaster General of the Army, the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division and other senior military officials were present at the time.

Later, in the afternoon, a handover and assumption of command ceremony was held at the Navy Headquarters. As part of the ceremony, Vice Admiral Khondaker Misbah-ul-Azeem signed the handover and assumption of command book at the Chief of the Navy's office. Through this, he officially assumed command of the Bangladesh Navy.

Vice Admiral Khondaker Misbah-ul-Azeem joined the Bangladesh Navy on January 1, 1987 and was commissioned in the executive branch in 1989. He received higher education and military training at home and abroad and earned a PhD degree in maritime governance.

In his colorful career spanning nearly four decades, he held various important command, staff and training positions in the Bangladesh Navy. He has served in important positions including Commander Chittagong Naval Region, Commander Dhaka Naval Region, Commander Submarine and Commandant Bangladesh Naval Academy. He also served as Director Naval Operations and Director Naval Planning at the Naval Headquarters.

Khondaker Misbah-ul-Azeem, who has served in important roles in the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, most recently served as Bangladesh's Ambassador to Oman. During that time, he played an important role in the development of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Oman and the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution during his long career, he has been awarded various honors and medals including the Navy Medal (NBP), Naval Proficiency Medal (NPP), and National Integrity Award.

In his new role, the newly appointed Navy Chief has expressed his determination to work towards developing the Navy as a stronger, modern and technology-based force, developing domestic technology in light of the 'Made in Bangladesh' policy, developing shipyards and dockyards with its own capabilities, and modernizing research and development activities.