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The Myanmar Navy 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 a provide blue water capability and external threat defence role in Myanmar's territorial waters.
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History
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.[1]
1950's
In 1950 and 1951, the United States provided 10 coast guard cutters (CGC) under the Mutual Defence 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. [2]
In 1956 and 1957, Myanmar government acquired five 50-long-ton (51 t) Saunders-Roe Dark class convertible motor torpedo/motor gunboats,[3] followed by an 1,040-long-ton (1,060 t) Algerine class minesweeper in 1958 from the United Kingdom.[4] In the late 1950s and early 1960s, United States sold Myanmar Navy six PGM type coastal patrol crafts and seven CGC type patrol boats[5]. In the mid 1960s, Myanmar Navy took delivery of ex-US Navy 640-long-ton (650 t) PCE-827 class[6] 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.[7] In 1958, Myanmar Navy took delivery of 10 Y-301 class river gunboats from Yugoslavia, followed by 25 smaller Michao class patrol crafts.
1960's
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[8]. 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.[9]
1970's
Although Myanmar Navy has 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, 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 were armed with two 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft guns and two 12.7 mm Heavy machine guns.
1990's
Myanmar Navy bought 6 Missile Escort Boats & 10 Submarine Chaser from CHINA. After 1998 Myanmar Navy built 77m Corvette (771,772,773) and FAC (551-564).
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[10]. The Network for Democracy and Development [1], in Thailand, reported that 30 officers and 250 Burmese naval personnel have being 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.
Role
The primary task of Myanmar Navy was patrolling the country's rivers and inshore waters in support of the army's counterinsurgency operations. One third of the fleet was dedicated for this operation under "Strategic Naval Force" (Sit Byu Ha Yay Yin Su) at any time. The navy was used for reconnaissance, provide fire support and help maintain static defence around strategic towns. Myanmar Navy also help supplement the army's logistics supply system during counterinsurgency campaigns.
The secondary task was coastal surveillance and fisheries protection for 148,000 kilometre maritime zone against fish poaching, smuggling, insurgent movements and pirate activities. Long-range patrols were conducted by the navy's larger warships although operations further afield were rare. The navy's flagship, UBS Mayu made several longer voyages including a number diplomatic visits to regional countries before it was decommissioned.
Myanmar navy does not operate a separate fleet air arm. If needed navy drew resources from Myanmar Air Force for maritime surveillance and other forms of fleet air support.
Former and Current Commander-in-Chiefs 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. Vice-Adm. Nyan Tun
| Naval Region Command | Commanding Officer |
|---|---|
| Irrawaddy Naval Region Command | Captain Htun Lwin Oo |
| Danyawaddy Regional Command | Comodore Aung Zaw Win |
| Panmawaddy Regional Command | Comodore Myo Myint Than |
| Mawyawaddy Regional Command | Comodore Maung Oo Lwin |
| Tanintharyi Regional Command | Comodore THURA Thet Swe |
| No(1) Naval Training School | CDR Moe Aung |
| Naval Dorckyard Headquarters | Rear-Adm Han Sein |
| No(1)Fleet (Yangon) | Captain Mya Win |
| No(2)Fleet (Heinzae) | captain Htay Naing |
| No(3)Fleet ( Kyut Phyu) | Captain Zaw Oo |
Organization
Administrative and Support Units
- Naval headquarters, Ministry of Defence ( Naypyidaw)
- Strategic Naval Command (headquarters in Yangon)
- 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 (Seikekyi)
- 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)
The Myanmar Navy raised a naval infantry battalion of 800 men in 1964, followed by a second battalion in 1967, 3rd and 4th battalions may have also been raised. They were deployed mainly to the Arakan and Tenasserim areas, and to the Irrawaddy delta, to assist in counter-insurgency operations, but also performed other security duties.
Ships
| Vessel Type | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Frigate | 1 |
| Corvettes | 4 |
| Fast Attack Craft (Gun) | 15 |
| Fast Attack Craft (Missile) | 9 |
| Fast Attack Craft (Yan 037_Sub-Chaser) | 10 |
| Missile Escort Boats (037 -1G) | 6 |
| Inshore Patrol Boats | 16 |
| River Patrol Craft | 36 |
| Gunboats | 21 |
| Survey Ships | 2 |
| Support Ships | 10 |
| Transport/Landing Ships | 14 |
References
- ^ p.28, Janes Fighting Ships 1963-64
- ^ Hugh Tinker, Union of Burma, p.325
- ^ British Military Powerboat Trust
- ^ Jane's Fighting Ships 1963-1964 p.28
- ^ Jane's Fighting Ships 1982-83 p.60
- ^ http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/120282701.jpg
- ^ Jane's Fighting Ships 1997-1998 p.79
- ^ Janes Fighting Ships 1997-98 p.79
- ^ Janes Fighting Ships 1997-98 p.82
- ^ http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=11980
See also
- UBS Mayu
- Aung San
- Myanmar Army
- Myanmar Navy
- Myanmar Air Force
- Military Intelligence of Myanmar
- Myanmar Police Force
- Myanmar Frontier Forces
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