BNS Somudra Avijan

BNS Somudra Avijan (F29) is one of the largest and the heaviest frigates of the Bangladesh Navy. The Bangladesh Navy acquired the ship from the United States under Excess Defense Articles.

History
From 1969 to 2015 the ship was known as USCGC Rush (WHEC-723) and served the US Coast Guard as a high endurance cutter. She was decommissioned on 3 February 2015 and was acquired by the Bangladesh under the Foreign Assistance Act as a Excess Defense Article. She was officially handed over to the Bangladesh Navy on 5 May 2015.

Future plans
The Bangladesh Navy plans to further upgrade the vessel's combat capability with the installation of modern C-802A AShM, FL-3000 or FM-90N SAM, Whitehead torpedoes and AW-109ZN or Z-9C ASW helicopter on board. After refit, this frigate will be one of the most powerful frigates of the Bangladesh Navy.