On December 24, the Myanmar Navy celebrated its 77th Navy Day with the launch and naming of its newly constructed 135-meter frigate, King Thalun. The ceremony took place at the Navy Dockyard Headquarters in Thanlyin and was attended by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, along with high-ranking officials, their spouses, and invited guests.
The event also saw the commissioning of two 63-meter anti-submarine warfare ships, which have been officially inducted into service to enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities. This comes in the background of Myanmar Army being hammered by rebel forces in different parts of Myanmar. There also have been sporadic incidents when Bangladesh and Myanmar have locked horns.

The frigate, King Thalun, was named in honor of a historic king celebrated for his contributions to governance and defense. The vessel symbolizes the Myanmar Navy’s commitment to maritime security and innovation, Myanmar Navy claims.
The frigate measures 135 meters in length, 14.5 meters in breadth, 9 meters in height, and has a draft of 4.1 meters. It can withstand a load of 3,500 tons and achieve speeds of up to 30 nautical miles per hour. Its construction, which commenced in March 2017 at the Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters, involved building the parts separately before final assembly.
Equipped to defend against both conventional and unconventional threats, King Thalun can patrol and conduct surveillance over extended periods, as well as perform search and rescue missions in the Myanmar Sea.

Strengthening the Tatmadaw Navy
The ceremony shows the Navy’s evolution into a Three-Dimensional Combat Ready Force, designed to protect Myanmar’s exclusive economic zone. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing highlighted the ongoing transformation of the Tatmadaw Navy into an Adjacent Force Projection Navy or Regional Navy, capable of safeguarding national and regional maritime interests.

In celebration of the 77th anniversary, an additional ceremony was held at No. 3 Naval Jetty in Yangon. Presided over by the State Administration Council Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the event marked the formal commissioning of the two newly-built 63-meter anti-submarine warfare ships.
The locally built King Thalun frigate represents a milestone in Myanmar’s naval industry, being the largest vessel constructed by the Tatmadaw Navy. Its advanced capabilities, including its ability to withstand large displacements and operate at high speeds, position it as a significant asset for maritime security.

 Earlier in June, Bangladesh’s navy was forced to deploy warships around St. Martin’s Island due to the threat posed to Bangladeshi shipping by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar between the junta and the separatist Arakan Army (AA). Bangladeshis have been demanding strong action against Myanmar.

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