Myanmar Navy

Myanmar Navy / Burmese Navy
Active	24.12.1947 - Present
Country	Myanmar
Branch	Navy
Size	19,000 personnel
Part of	Myanmar Armed Forces
Headquarters	Naypyidaw
Nickname(s)	Tatmadaw Yay
Commanders
Minister of Defence	Lt. General Wai Lwin
Ceremonial chief	Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
Commander-in-Chief (Navy)	Admiral Thura Thet Swe
Insignia
Ensign	Naval Ensign
Navy Ensign (1948-1974)	Naval Ensign (1948-1974)

The Myanmar Navy (Burmese language: တပ်မတော် (ရေ); Burmese pronunciation: [taʔmədɔ̀ jè]) 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.

History

Pre-independence

A Burmese war boat, in 1795

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-long-ton (51 t) Saunders-Roe Dark class convertible motor torpedo/motor gunboats, followed by an 1,040-long-ton (1,060 t) 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-long-ton (650 t) PCE-827 class corvette and a 650-long-ton (660 t) 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-long-ton (410 t) 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 4,500 and 1,800 miles (7,200 and 2,900 km) 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 [1], 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 civilians

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.

Commanders of Naval Region Command

Naval Region Command	Commanding Officer
Irrawaddy Naval Region Command	Comodore Maung Oo Lwin
Danyawaddy Regional Command	Comodore Htay Naing
Panmawaddy Regional Command	Comodore Aung Zaw Hlaing
Mawyawaddy Regional Command	Comodore Nay Win
Tanintharyi Regional Command	Comodore Moe Aung

No(1) Naval Training School	Comodore Min Thein Tin
Naval Dorckyard Headquarters	Comodore Myint Oo

No(1)Squadron (Yangon)	Captain Ye Min Oo
No(2)Squadron (Heinzae)	Captain Htein Win
No(3)Squadron ( Kyut Phyu)	Captain Kyaw Shwe Htun

Modernization Program

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.

Future Plan

Ships	2013	2015	2020	Remarks
Submarine	-	2*	4*	*in the process of negotiating to buy Kilo Submarines from Russia
Frigate	4	6	8*	* 6 indigenous frigates and 2 Type 053H1 frigates
Light Frigate	2	2	2	-
FAC(Stealth)	1	4	10	49 meter FAC(Stealth)(C 802 SSMs)
FAC (Missile)	17	17	17	6 Houxin class with C 801,5 45-meter class with C 801, 6 45-meter class with C 802
FAC (Gun)	9	11	15	45 meter FAC(Gun)
FAC (Submarine Chaser)	9	9	-	will be degraded to Category B reserve by 2016
Patrol Craft	34	34	24
LCM	4*	6	9**	*1 old LCM and 3 Type 1611 LCMs. **5 Type 1611 LCMs are to built.

Organization

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 [2]

Ships

Frigate

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Aung Zeya Class	Naval Dockyard (Myanmar)	F11 - Aung Zeya F12 - Kyansittha	2008 2012	8 x Kh-35E anti-ship missiles 1× Oto Melara 76 mm Super Rapid Cannons 4 x AK-630 6-barrel 30 mm CIWS guns Triple 324 mm YU-7 ASW torpedoes Rocket Launchers, possibly ASW rockets or decoy rockets
Jianghu-II Class Type 053H1	Hudong Shipyard (People's Republic of China)	F21 - Mahar Bandoola F23 - Mahar Thiha Thura	2012	8 x C-802 anti ship Missile 2 x Type 81 (RBU-1200) 5-tube ASW RL (30 rockets), or 2 x Type 3200 6-tube ASW RL (36 rockets) 2 x Type 62 5-tube A/S mortar launchers 2 x depth charge (DC) racks & projector 4 x dual 37 mm AA guns 2 x 100 mm gun

Corvette

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Anawratha Class	Naval Dockyard (Myanmar)	771 - UMS Anawratha 772 - UMS Bayinnaung	1996–2007	1 × Oto Melara 76 mm Super Rapid Cannons 2 × Type 58/ZPU 2 Anti-aircraft Gun 1 × Type 69/AK-230 twin-barrel 30 mm CIWS gun 4 × C-802 Surface-to-Surface Missile 2 × RBU-1200 or Type 81 ASW rocket launchers 1 helipad

FAC - Stealth

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Stealth ship	Naval Dockyard (Myanmar)	491	2012	1 × AK-630 six-barrel 30 mm CIWS gun 4 x C-802 anti-ship missile

Mine Sweeper

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Admirable-class minesweeper		42 - Yan Gyi Aung	1967	1x76mm Cannon 2x 40mm Bofer Anti Aircraft Gun 4xAuliGun Hedgehog Anti Submarine Destroyer	Ex US Navy USS Creddock (AM-356)

FAC - Submarine Chaser

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Hainan	Dalian, Qiuxin and Huangpu Shipyard,	442-Yan Htet Aung 443-Yan Nyein Aung 444-Yan Khwinn Aung 445-Yan Min Aung 446-Yan Ye Aung 447-Yan Pang Aung 448-Yan Win Aung 449-Yan Aye Aung 450-Yan Zwe Aung	1991,1993	2 × Type 66 - 57mm twin guns 2 × Type 87 - 25 mm twin guns 2 × Type 69 14.5 mm twin Anti-Aircraft Guns RBU	441, Yan Sit Aung was sunk by cyclone Nargis 1991, Six Crafts and 1993, four crafts

FAC - Missile

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Houxin class	Qiuxin Shipyards, Shanghai,	471 - MaGa 472 - SaitTra 473 - DuWa 474 - ZeyHta 475 - HanTha 476 - BanDa	1995,1996,1997	4 × C-802 Surface-to-Surface Missile 2 × 30 mm AK 230 2 × Type 69 14.5 mm twin Anti-Aircraft Guns
5-Series class	Naval Dockyard (Myanmar)	556 557 558 559 560	2004	4 × C-802 Surface-to-Surface Missile 2 × 30 mm AK 230 2 × Type 69 14.5 mm twin Anti-Aircraft Guns
5-Series class	Naval Dockyard (Myanmar)	561 562 567 568 569 570	2008, 2012	2 × 30 mm AK 230 2 × Type 69 14.5 mm twin Anti-Aircraft Guns 2 x C-802A Surface to Surface Anti-ship Missile

FAC - GUN

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
5-Series class	Naval Dockyard (Myanmar)	551 552 553 554 555 563 564 565 566	1996,2013	1 × 37 mm AA gun 2 × Type 87 - 25 mm twin guns 2 × Type 69 14.5 mm twin Anti-Aircraft Guns

Large Patrol Combatants

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Osprey Class-50	Danyard A/S, Frederikshavn, Denmark	55 (Indaw) 57 (Inya)	1982	1 / 40mm 60-cal. Bofors AA 2 / 20mm 70-cal. Oerlikon AA

Coastal Patrol Craft

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
PGM 43 class	Marinette Marine, Wisconsin; last two by Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, WI, United States	401 402 403 404 405 406	1959–1961	1x40mm Bofor, 2 dual 20mm OA, 2x12.7mm MG
Y311 class - modified Y301	Sinmalaik, Burma	Y311	1967	2x40mm Bofor, 2X20mm OA	Y-312 was reported sunk by cyclone Nargis)
Y Series class	Uljanik SY, Pola, Yugoslavia	301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310	1957–1960	2x40mm Bofor, 2X20mm OA

Cruiser Patrol Craft

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Swift class	Swiftships, Morgan City, LA / Vosper,	422 423	1980	2 40 mm, 2 20 mm, 2 12.7 mm machine gun, Pathfinder Radar	421 lost in the sea

Patrol Craft

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Carpentaria class	Australia	112 113 114 115 116 117	1978–1980	MK10 AA, radar, 20mm 70cal
412 class	Burma Naval Dockyard, Rangoon	412 413 414 416	1983–1984	2x40mm AA, 2x12.7mm machine gun	415 was sunk
PB-90	Yugoslavia	424 425 426	1990	M-75 AA, Radar, 2x quadruplet 20mm cal

Coastal Land Craft Mechanized

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
LCM	Naval Engineering Depot	709 710	1967
LCM	Naval Engineering Depot	1611	2005
LCM	Naval Engineering Depot	1612 1613	2013

Coastal Land Craft Utility

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
LCU	Naval Dock	605	1984
LCU		603	1963–1968

Coastal Survey Ship

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Survey ship	Tito SY, Belgrade, Yugoslavia	801 Thutaythi	1965	helipad 2 x40 mm, 2x 20 mm machine gun

Coastal Logistics and tanker Ship

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
coastal tanker	Watenabe Zosen K.K., Hakata, Japan Japan	608	1991	None
coastal tanker	Shimoda Dockyard, Shimoda, Japan Japan	609 class	1986	None
coastal logistics ship	Germany	601 Pyi Daw Aye (1)	1975	None
coastal logistics ship	Japan	602 Pyi Daw Aye (2)	2002	None
coastal logistics ship	A/S Nordsovaerftet, Ringkobing, Norway	Ayidawaya	1991	None
coastal transport	Burma	612 613 615 618	1990	AA Gun
Yadanabon	Burma	VIP Transport	1990

River Patrol Craft

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
PBR class	United States	211 212 213 214 215 216	1978–1982	1 × twin M2HB .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns (forward in a rotating tub) 1 × single M2HB (rear) 1 or 2 × M60 7.62 mm machine gun(s) (side-mounted) 1 × 40 mm Mk 19 grenade launcher
Yan Naing class	Doone Htay,	501 510 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510	1970	Machine Gun, OA
Michao Class	Yugoslavia	001 002 003 004 005 006 007 008 009 010 011 012 013 014 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 024 025	1963–1968	2x20mm OA
PCE Class	Naval Dockyard,	217 218 219 220	1989	machine gun, Bofor, AA	Number of Built 4 crafts

Floating dry dock

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
Floating dry dock	China	F001	2013

See also

• List of equipment in the Myanmar Navy
• UBS Mayu
• Aung San
• Myanmar Army
• Myanmar Air Force
• Military Intelligence of Myanmar
• Myanmar Police Force
• Myanmar Frontier Forces

External links

• The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships By Eric Wertheim
• http://mmmilitary.blogspot.com/
• http://networkbase.info/pageMyanmar_Navy.html