Dhaka, Dec 22 (IANS): Bangladesh will buy two submarines worth $203.3 million from China to strengthen its navy, media reported.

Bangladesh has finalised a deal to purchase two Ming-class submarines, The New Age reported Saturday.

The submarines would strengthen the navy's ability to protect the country's resources, officials, who remained unidentified, were quoted as saying. They added that the deal would cost Bangladesh $203.3 million and awaits the finance ministry approval.

The type 035G diesel-electric run submarines are scheduled to be delivered in 2019, according to the daily.

Earlier in January this year, Armed Forces Division principal staff officer Lieutenant General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq said the deal to procure the submarines was under negotiation.

Seventeen sailors are receiving training on how to operate submarines and the navy has acquired land in Kutubdia Island in Cox’s Bazaar to set up a submarine base, the report said.