Rear Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim new navy chief

The defence ministry announced the decision on Thursday night, saying Azim has been promoted to the rank of vice admiral

The government has appointed Rear Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim as the new chief of Bangladesh Navy.

The Ministry of Defence issued a gazette notification in this regard on Thursday night. The Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) also confirmed this in a text message.

Signed by Deputy Secretary MJ Arif Begg, the notification said Rear Admiral Khondkar Misbah ul Azim of the Bangladesh Navy will be promoted to the rank of vice admiral on the afternoon of July 23, 2026, under the Chiefs of Defence Services (Appointment, Pay, Allowances and Other Benefits) Act, 2018.

He will assume the new position on Jul 23 for three years. Azim will replace Admiral M Nazmul Hassan as the Chief of the Navy Staff.

Azim currently serves as the Bangladesh ambassador to Oman. He was assigned to Muscat on Feb 20 last year during the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

A former student of the 17th batch of Rajshahi Cadet College, Azim was commissioned into the Navy in 1987.

He led important commands of the force, including the Dhaka and Chattogram naval areas. He also worked as the commandant of the Bangladesh Naval Academy.

Current navy chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan held a farewell meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zamanat Army Headquarters yesterday.