Zahir Uddin Ahmed

Zahir Uddin Ahmed (born 21 May 1957) is a retired three star admiral who served as the chief of naval staff of the Bangladesh Navy. He is the first naval chief from the Bangladesh Naval Academy.

Early life and education Zahir was born in Gazipur of then East Pakistan (now in Dhaka Division, Bangladesh). He was one of the pioneer cadets of Bangladesh Naval Academy in 1976 with M. Farid Habib, his successor. He was commissioned in executive branch as navigator officer in 1979. He is a graduate of the Defence Services Command and Staff College and the National Defence College. Zahir also took navigators seminar from the ND School at INS Valsura in Jamnagar, India.

Military career Zahir commanded three warships in which he was the pioneer commander of the Bangladesh navy flagship BNS Bangabandhu. He was also the overseer of two naval bases, the Bangladesh naval flotilla, Bangladesh naval fleet and the Chittagong naval area. Zahir as commodore, furthermore served as director drafting authority at naval headquarters and the commandant of Bangladesh Marine Academy. As rear admiral he was the assistant chief of naval staff for operations and was the most truncated director general of Bangladesh Coast Guard for one day.

Zahir was appointed chief of the naval staff on 26 January 2009 and assumed the office on 29 January 2009. Zahir was awarded the highest 'Bangladesh Navy Medal' and 'Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal' for outstanding contribution in different fields of Navy and Coast Guard.

Personal life Zahir is married to Shabnam Ahmed. They have a son and a daughter together.