Bangladesh Navy Chief Vice Admiral Khandker Misbah Ul Azim has been promoted to the rank of admiral, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate statement issued on Sunday morning. The announcement was published on August 23, 2026. He formally assumed duties as chief of the Bangladesh Navy on July 23.

A government notification signed by Defence Ministry Deputy Secretary M J Arif Beg appointed him Navy chief for three years, until July 22, 2029. Azim joined the Bangladesh Navy on January 1, 1987, received a commission in the executive branch in 1989, and completed initial training with distinction in the Royal Malaysian Navy. He also holds a PhD in maritime governance.

During nearly four decades of service, he held command, staff and training roles, including commander of the Chattogram and Dhaka naval areas, commander submarine and commandant of the Bangladesh Naval Academy. He served in UN peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and was most recently Bangladesh’s ambassador to Oman. His awards include the Navy Medal, Naval Efficiency Medal and National Integrity Award.