Junta boss eyes greater force projection for Myanmar Navy

By Admin 25 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
25 December 2024, Sittwe

Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has said that the Myanmar Navy is a fully operational navy capable of protecting Myanmar’s seas, and that the construction of large warships with full combat power will be stepped up to take it to the next level.

Min Aung Hlaing made the remarks at a ceremony marking the 77th Anniversary of the Myanmar Navy on December 24.

He said that the navy is being expanded to become stronger, and more modern and capable of protecting Myanmar’s 1,260-nautical-mile coastline.

The military chief urged that warships, weapons, and naval personnel be prepared and constantly trained to be ready for battle.

The 135-metre Frigate King Thalun was launched on Tuesday as well, and two 63-metre anti-submarine ships were also commissioned.

Military analysts believe that a string of defeats that the regime has suffered to the Arakkha Army in Arakan State could lead to the possibility that large warships are used by the Myanmar Navy in its war with the ethnic armed group. 

“The regime seems to have said on one hand that it will strengthen its naval power and retake the territories captured by the revolutionary forces. However, no matter how much air and naval support it has, if it cannot be supported by infantry and ground forces, the fighting situation will not be easy,” said one military observer in Arakan State.

The regime is currently reinforcing its naval presence in the coastal towns it still holds in Arakan State, including Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung on the Bay of Bengal, according to locals.