Myanmar Navy

The Myanmar Navy (တပ်မတော် (ရေ); ) is the naval branch of the armed forces of Myanmar with 19,000 men and women. The Myanmar Navy currently operates more than 122 vessels. Before 1988, the Myanmar Navy was small and its role in the many counterinsurgency operations was much less conspicuous than those of the army and air force. Yet the navy has always been, and remains, an important factor in Myanmar's security and it was dramatically expanded in recent years to an external threat defence role in Myanmar's territorial waters.

Pre-independence
The naval arm of the Royal Armed Forces consisted mainly of river-faring war boats. Its primary missions were to control the Irrawaddy, and to protect the ships carrying the army to the front. The major war boats carried up to 30 musketeers and were armed with 6- or 12-pounder cannon. By the mid-18th century, the navy had acquired a few seafaring ships, manned by European and foreign sailors, that were used to transport the troops in Siamese and Arakanese campaigns.

Note that the Arakanese and the Mon, from the maritime regions, maintained more seaworthy flotillas than inland riverborne "navy" of the Royal Burmese Army. The Arakanese in particular fielded a formidable seagoing navy that terrorized the coasts of Bay of Bengal during the 15th and 17th centuries.

Founding and WWII
The Myanmar Navy was formed as the Navy of Burma in 1940 and, although very small, played an active part in Allied operations against the Japanese during the Second World War.

Burma Independence
In December 1947, the Union of Burma Navy was formed with 700 men. The fleet initially consisted of a small but diverse collection of ships transferred from the Royal Navy under the arrangements made for Burma's independence in January 1948. It included UBS Mayu, ex-Royal Navy River class frigate and four Landing Craft Gun (Medium). Armed with two 25-pounder (88 mm) guns and two 2-pounder (44 mm) guns, these landing craft were used as support gunboats.

1950s
In 1950 and 1951, the United States provided 10 coast guard cutters (CGC) under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP). The Myanmar Navy played an important part in the government's fight against the ethnic and ideological insurgent groups which threatened the Union Government in its early days. The Myanmar Navy performed both defensive and offensive roles, protecting convoys, carrying supplies, ferrying troops and giving much-needed fire support. It was instrumental in relieving the port city of Moulmein, which was captured by Karen insurgents in 1948, and the Irrawaddy Delta town of Bassein. Although one armed patrol boat defected to the Karen insurgents, throughout the turbulent years of post independence in Myanmar, the navy was largely unopposed and managed to maintain control over Myanmar's crucial inland waterways.

In 1956 and 1957, Myanmar government acquired five 50 LT Saunders-Roe Dark class convertible motor torpedo/motor gunboats, followed by an 1040 LT Algerine class minesweeper in 1958 from the United Kingdom. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, United States sold Myanmar Navy six PGM type coastal patrol crafts and seven CGC type patrol boats. In the mid-1960s, Myanmar Navy took delivery of ex-US Navy 640 LT PCE-827 class corvette and a 650 LT Admirable class minesweeper, both of which were commissioned in the mid-1940s. In 1978, United States provided Myanmar Navy with six small river patrol crafts. In 1958, Myanmar Navy took delivery of 10 Y-301 class river gunboats from Yugoslavia, followed by 25 smaller Michao class patrol crafts.

1960s
Efforts were made to produce locally made Naval vessels with assistance from Yugoslavia. In 1960, Myanmar Navy commissioned two 400 LT Nawarat Class corvettes. Their armaments include 25-pounder field gun and 40 mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft gun. Myanmar shipyards also built the navy a number of smaller patrol crafts and a number of landing crafts. Landing crafts and auxiliary ships are usually armed with Oerlikon 20 mm cannons, 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft guns and Heavy machine guns.

1970s
Although the Myanmar Navy expanded rapidly during 1950s and 1960s, however, the navy was unable to keep pace with loss or deterioration of older vassels in 1970s until naval replacement program was initiated by BSPP Government in 1979. In 1980, the Myanmar Navy acquired six Carpentaria class inshore patrol boats from Australia followed by three 128-ton Swift type coastal patrol boats from Singapore and three 385-ton Ospery class offshore patrol vessels built in Denmark. The Ospery and Swift class boats have a range of 4500 and 1800 mi respectively and were armed with Oerlikon 20 mm cannons and 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft guns. In the early years of 1980s, Myanmar shipyards built three 128-ton PGM type patrol boats based upon US PGM Class patrol boats. Each boat was armed with two 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft guns and two 12.7 mm Heavy machine guns.

1990s
The Myanmar Navy bought 6 Missile Escort Boats & 10 Submarine Chaser from China. Since 1998, the navy has built two77m Corvettes (771 and 772) and four FACs (551-554).

May 2008 Cyclone Nargis
As many as 25 Burmese naval ships may have been sunk in the storm caused by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, while an unknown number of naval personnel and their family members were killed or are listed as missing. The Network for Democracy and Development, in Thailand, reported that 30 officers and 250 Burmese naval personnel have been declared missing, while 25 vessels were destroyed by the cyclone in three naval regional command centers: Panmawaddy Regional Command on Hainggyi Island; Irrawaddy Regional Command; and Danyawaddy Regional Command in Sittwe in Arakan State.

Attacks on Bangladeshi Fishermen
On October 7, 1998 between three and five Bangladeshi fishermen were killed by Burmese Navy forces just off the coast of St. Martin's Island.

Attacks on Thai Fishermen and civilians
In May 1998, Colonel Zaw Min, landed on Christie Island and found 59 people living there to gather wood and bamboo, in violation of Burmese law. The order came down from General Than Shwe that they were to be "eliminated" and they were all subsequently murdered.

A few days later, members of the Burmese Navy captured a Thai fishing boat that had strayed close to Christie Island. The 22 fishermen on board were shot and buried on the island.

Former and current Commanders-in-Chief since independence

 * 1. Commander Khin Maung Bo
 * 2. Commodore Than Pe
 * 3. Commodore Thaung Tin
 * 4. Rear-Adm. Chit Hlaing
 * 5. Rear-Adm. Maung Maung win
 * 6. Vice-Adm. Maung Maung Khin
 * 7. Vice-Adm. Thein Nyunt
 * 8. Vice-Adm. Tin Aye
 * 9. Vice-Adm. Nyunt Thein
 * 10. Vice-Adm. Kyi Min
 * 11. Vice-Adm. Soe Thein
 * 12. Adm. Nyan Tun
 * 13. Adm. Thura Thet Swe

Adm Nyan Tun took an official visit to Bangladesh from 12 to 15 Dec 2011 on invitation from Bangladesh Naval Chief Vice Adm Zahiruddin Ahmed. He visited Naval Headquarters and Chittagong Naval Area. He called on President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The visit will open an avenue to greater maritime cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

Missile Frigates
Myanmar Navy has started its modernization program in 2001 in an attempt to replace older ships and equipments. In 2012, Myanmar Navy has taken delivery of 2 Type 053H1 class frigates from PR China. These 2 ships were upgraded extensively by Myanmar Navy. Upgrades to frigates include the replacing of HY 2 anti ship missiles by more lethal C 802 missiles and installing of new sensors. First indigenous frigate, F11 Aung Zeya has entered service in 2011 and took part in joint exercise with Indian Navy ships off Visakhapatnam in early 2013. Second ship of Aung Zeya class, F 12 Kyan Sit Thar, enters service in 2012 and which is the Myanmar Navy’s first stealth frigate. Third ship is under construction at Myanmar Navy Dockyard (Thilawar) and expected to enter service in 2014. Myanmar Navy plans to build 6 frigates. Myanmar Navy frigates combine Russia, India, China and western weapon system. These ships are equipped with Kh-35E anti-ship missiles, Oto Melara 76 mm Super Rapid Cannons, AK-630 6-barrel 30 mm CIWS guns and Chinese ASW rockets and torpedoes. Radars and electronic systems are mainly from Bharat Electronics of India.

Light Frigates and FAC(Stealth)
In early 2011, two corvettes, 771 and 772, are upgraded to Light Frigates by installing C 802 SSM, SAMs, sonar, RBU 1200 ASW rockets and new surface and air search radars. The most significant development for Myanmar Navy is the launching of new FAC(Stealth)(pennant number P 491) which is 49 meter long and armed with 4 x C 802 SSMs and a single AK 630 CIWS. Second ship of this class is already under construction and expected to be completed by early 2014. Myanmar Navy plan to build 10 ships of this class. Twenty 45-meter class FACs(Guns and Missiles) are backbone of Myanmar navy but Myanmar Navy experienced these ships are too small for new weapons and electronic systems. This is the main reason for initiating of 49 meter class FAC(Stealth). Older Hainan class FAC (Submarine Chaser) will be degraded to Category B reserve by 2016.

Submarines
Myanmar Navy intended to establish a submarine fleet by 2015.Myanmar Navy is in the process of negotiating to buy 2 Kilo class submarines from Russia. In June 2013, during his visit to Russia, Myanmar Army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Russian officials discussed to buy Kilo submarines and Kamov ASW helicopters for new frigates.

Administrative and Support Units

 * Naval headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Naypyidaw)
 * Strategic Naval Command (headquarters in Naypyidaw)
 * Naval Training Command (Seikkyi)
 * Naval Shipyard Headquarters (Yangon)
 * Central Naval Hydrographic Depot (Yangon)
 * Central Naval Diving and Salvage Depot (Yangon)
 * Central Naval Engineering Depot (botataung,Yangon)
 * Central Naval Stores Depot (Yangon)
 * Central Naval Communications Depot (Yangon)
 * Central Naval Armaments Deport (Seikkyi)

Naval Regional Commands and Bases

 * Irrawaddy Regional Command (headquarters in Yangon)
 * Thanhklyet Soon Naval Base
 * Bassein Naval Base
 * Coco Island Base (Naval Radar Unit)


 * Danyawaddy Regional Command (headquarters in Sittwe)
 * Kyaukpyu Naval Base
 * Thandwe (Sandoway) Naval Base


 * Panmawaddy Regional Command (headquarters on Hainggyi Island)
 * Mawyawaddy Regional Command (headquarters in Moulmein)
 * Tanintharyi Regional Command (headquarters in Mergui)
 * Zadetkyi Island Naval Base
 * Mali (Tavoy) Naval Base
 * Palai Island Naval Base
 * Kadan Naval Base
 * Sakanthit Naval Base
 * Lambi Naval Base
 * Pearl Island Naval Base
 * Zadetkale Naval Base (Radar Unit)

Naval Infantry
The Myanmar Navy formed a naval infantry battalion of 800 men in 1964, and a second battalion in 1967. Third and fourth battalions may have also been raised. They battalions traditionally are deployed mainly in the Arakan, Tenasserim and Irrawaddy delta coastal regions primarily to assist in the army's counter-insurgency operations.

Naval Base Air Defense Force
Myanmar Naval Air defence Force are used Bofors 40mm & ZPU-2 AAA For Navy Bases. Images