Vice Admiral Khondaker Misbah ul Azim Takes Command of Bangladesh Navy
Prime Minister Tareq Rahman and outgoing Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan formally decorated newly appointed Naval Chief Khondaker Misbah-ul-Azim with the rank badge of Vice Admiral on Thursday. The ceremony took place at the Armed Forces Division at the Dhaka Cantonment, according to a statement published on the Prime Minister’s official social media channels.
During the proceedings, Prime Minister Rahman extended his congratulations to the new naval chief, who in turn expressed his profound gratitude to the government on behalf of the Bangladesh Navy. The event was attended by a high-level delegation of military and civil officials, including the Prime Minister’s Defense Advisor Brigadier General (retd) A K M Shamsul Islam, Air Chief Marshal Hassan Mahmood Khan, Lieutenant General Md. Shahinur Rahman, and Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Mir Musfiqur Rahman.
Vice Admiral Misbah-ul-Azim, who joined the Bangladesh Navy on January 1, 1987, and received his commission in the executive branch in 1989, brings nearly four decades of professional experience to his new role. His distinguished career includes specialized training with the Royal Malaysian Navy and a Ph.D. in Maritime Governance, complementing extensive domestic and international military education.
Throughout his tenure, the new naval chief has held several critical command and staff positions, including Commander of the Chattogram and Dhaka Naval Zones, Commander of Submarines, and Commandant of the Bangladesh Naval Academy. He has also served as the Director of Naval Operations and Director of Naval Planning at Naval Headquarters, while commanding various warships and naval bases.
Beyond his technical and command expertise, Vice Admiral Misbah-ul-Azim has contributed to international peacekeeping efforts, having served in United Nations missions in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prior to his current appointment, he served as the Bangladeshi Ambassador to Oman, where he was credited with strengthening bilateral ties and advocating for the welfare of the expatriate community. His long record of service has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Navy Medal, the Navy Efficiency Medal, and the National Integrity Award.
