Nay Pyi Taw December 24
The Tatmadaw (Navy) founded on 24 December 1947 has reached its 73rd Anniversary. A ceremony to commission naval vessels into service in commemoration of the 73rd Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Navy) took place today at No.3 Naval Wharf in Yangon, attended and addressed by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Present at the ceremony together with the Senior General were Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw, Ambassador of Russian Federation to Myanmar H.E. Dr.Nikolay A. LISTOPADOV, Ambassador of India to Myanmar H.E. Mr. Saurabh Kumar, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, the commander of Yangon Command, commanders of Naval Region Commands, officers and other ranks of Tatmadaw (Navy).
First, Chief of Staff (Navy) Vice-Admiral Moe Aung explained the salient points of the naval vessels. Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain explained the process of transferring the submarine. Admiral Tin Aung San spoke words of thanks.
Next, the Commander of Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters handed over documents related to the naval vessels to the commander of the Naval Fleet. Then, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) presented the scale model of the vessels to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as a gesture of honour in commemoration of the commissioning ceremony.
The different phases of ceremonial procession of the commissioning ceremony – the declaration of the commissioning of the naval vessels by the Chief of Staff (Navy), the raising of the State Flag, the Navy Flag and the commissioning flag, and the ringing of the bell for eight times – were held.
Afterwards, the Senior General and party inspected the attack submarine (Minye Theinkhathu), two 63-metre anti-submarine ships, one 49-metre fast-attack craft, one 56-metre landing craft tank and two 26-metre sea-going tow/tug boats, which would be commissioned.
The Senior General unveiled the name inscription of the submarine (Minye Theinkhathu) by pulling the Mingala robe, inspected the submarine and presented the commemorative badge of the Commander – in-Chief of the Defence Services to the commanding officer. He then posed for documentary photo together with the members of the entourage.
The Senior General took the salute of the Guard of Honour on the dais on board the Naval Vessel (Mottama). At that time, war ships Yan Taing Aung and Yan Gyi Aung gave a 19-gun salute to the Senior General. Later, led by Frigate Aung Zeya, Frigate Kyansittha, Frigate Sinphyushin, corvette Tabin Shwe Hti and fast-attack crafts saluted the Senior General in Single Line Formation.
Then, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) presented the shell of the first fired gun salute to the Senior General as a commemorative gift.
The Senior General presented certificates of honour and cash awards to the officers and other ranks who took part in building the commissioned ships through Commander of Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters. The Senior General then presented gifts of honour to the officers and other ranks of the ships that took part in the naval show and the commissioned ships through the commander of the Naval Fleet and the commanding officer of the submarine.
In his honorary speech, the Senior General expressed special thanks to ambassadors from Russian Federation and India and representatives for their attendance to the commissioning ceremony of the Myanmar Tatmadaw (Navy). Now is a day to supply significant, deepening power to the Tatmadaw. The Senior General thanked State leaders of Russian Federation and India for their assistance to Myanmar for commissioning the powerful submarine into the service. Today, not only the submarine but also six naval vessels such as two anti-submarines, one fast attack vessel, one landing craft tank and two sea-going tow/tug boats were commissioned into service.
Myanmar Tatmadaw (Navy) has been striving for formation of a submarine fleet for more than a decade. Everybody knows it is not easy to form the submarine fleet. The Senior General recounted he went to respective countries for observing and holding talks about formation of the submarine fleet. During the trips, the Senior General said he could meet with heads of State and chiefs of navies concerned, winning the understanding and trust between two countries and two armed forces so as to further contribute to building the modern Tatmadaw.
With regard to enhancement of defence capacity, the Senior General said: “Improvement of the military power plays a key role in building the national power of all countries across the world. According to the nature of new wars in the 21st century, it can be seen that the joint military operations of army, navy and air force can accomplish the missions by securing victory, rather than warfare of navy alone. So, I simultaneously managed capacity enhancement of army, navy and air force of the Tatmadaw to have capabilities for effectively performing joint military operations.”
The Senior General continued to say that the Tatmadaw (Navy) was established on 24 December 1947 before regaining independence of Myanmar. Now, the Tatmadaw (Navy) turns 73. In its establishment, the Tatmadaw (Navy) was formed with a frigate and 14 gun boats which were remaining vessels in the Second World War handed over by the British Navy. Now, 73 years old Myanmar (Navy) has been formed with not only the submarine but also modern war vessels.
In enhancing the capacity, the Myanmar Tatmadaw (Navy) purchases modern war vessels from foreign countries as well as builds the naval vessels itself for strengthening of power. Today, six war vessels commissioned into service for the Tatmadaw (Navy) were built on a self-reliant basis with own designs. Furthermore, the Senior General called for making strenuous efforts to build modern and highly capable war vessels.
Regarding the measures of entitling the submarine and enhancement of the Tatmadaw (Navy), the Senior General said: “We name the submarine commissioned today as Minye Theinkhathu. Minye means the very brave hero. Theinkhathu is defined as top of the victory. As such, the whole title of the submarine means one which is capable of successfully annihilating all enemies. It was a title conferred on very brave heroes who successfully assaulted the enemies in ancient monarchical eras. I gave such title to the submarine with the aim of bravely and successfully crushing any invasions for ensuring perpetual existence of Myanmar’s sovereignty. I’d like to say today’s ceremony is historic to commission Submarine Minye Theinkhathu into service as well as a historic day to start formation of submarine fleet. In conclusion, I’d like to say today is a significant day to initiate improvement of the Tatmadaw (Navy) to become a Three Dimensional Navy.”
Afterwards, the Senior General and party aboard war vessel (Mottama) viewed the war vessels commissioned into service and cordially waved to media persons who covered the information about commissioning ceremony of the naval vessels.
