Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission Commander-in-Chief of  Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends commissioning of  40,000-ton dry dock of Naval Shipyard HQ and war vessels of Tatmadaw (Navy) 

The Senior General and party arrived at the venue of the ceremony and were welcomed by the Commander-in-Chief(Navy) Admiral Htein Win and senior naval officers. After the officials formally opened the dry dock, the Senior General unveiled the stone plaque of the dry dock, followed by the sprinkling of scented water on the stone plaque. The Senior General and party posed for documentary photos together with the honoured guests. Later, the Senior General and party sprinkled scented water on the plaque of the management building of the dry dock and inspected the functions of the Shipyard Management Software room.

At the second part of the ceremonies held at the workshop, the Senior General delivered an address. Today, the 40,000-ton dry dock that will become the largest shipyard in terms of efficiency and capacity not only for the Tatmadaw (Navy), but also for Myanmar, has been successfully launched. Moreover, the auspicious ceremony for the naval vessels that will be the first ships to be built at the dry  dock and the commissioning ceremony of the Frigate King Thalun and riverine multi-purpose combat craft, built by the Tatmadaw (Navy) would be held. So, it is a day on which the Tatmadaw (Navy) is reinforced with new strength and which is a pride for the country.

The country’s maritime interest not only lies in the territorial waters, but also reaches the offshore area where special economic zone is located, and because of their participation in the main maritime trade routes of the world and possession of perfect ports and deep-sea ports, the Myanmar seas are so much important for the State’s maritime interest.

In this regard, the country needs a powerful navy to effectively use the energy resources, fish resources, major sea routes, maritime trade and deep-sea ports that are maritime interests for the benefit of the nation.

Taking into account the plans to build and repair the warships by the Tatmadaw (Navy) for its future needs and to build and repair large commercial cargo ships as a means to support the national interest in one way or another, the dry dock project began in 2018.

Regarding the shipbuilding sector of Tatmadaw (Navy), the ability to domestically construct  and commission large frigate warships has provided significant support to the Tatmadaw in carrying out its duties for national defence and security. It has also further strengthened the control and security of Myanmar’s territorial waters.

The  warships to be commissioned into service today at the launching ceremony are the first war vessels to be constructed at the 40,000-ton dry dock.

The ability to build these ships will enhance Myanmar’s maritime defence capabilities. Tatmadaw (Navy) began its ship-building activities in 1960, giving it considerable construction experience; however, it must continue to diligently study, learn, and apply modern shipbuilding techniques in line with current advancements.

Since the dry dock is an inter-nationally advanced facility, personnel are encouraged to operate the dock and its equipment efficiently, fully utilizing their lifespan and capabilities. Efforts should be made to con-struct and repair large vessels for both domestic and international maritime trade to ensure returns on investment. Ship architecture and shipbuilding operations, as well as the development of human resources, must be steadily advanced. New-generation naval officers and servicemen assigned to various roles should be guided with sound traditions and practices. In fulfilling their duties to protect Myanmar’s maritime territory and interests, they are urged to uphold and preserve the Tatmadaw’s fine traditions with the same vitality and dedication.

The Senior General and attendees watched a video clip on construction of the dry dock.

The chair of the company taking responsibilities for construction of the dry dock of the Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters handed over documents related to the dry dock to the commandant of the Naval Dockyard Command. The Commander-in-Chief (Navy) presented a gift in commemoration of the opening of the dry dock to the Senior General who gave the fruit basket to the company chair.

The auspicious ceremony to place the keel for  submarine destroyers 

An official reported on construction of war vessels at the ceremony to place the keel of submarine destroyers.

The Senior General pressed the button to weld the keel and frame of submarine destroyers to launch the shipbuilding process and sprinkled scented water on the bronze plaque of keel and body parts.

The Senior General and party inspected the shipbuilding process and visited the gallery of shipbuilding and the dry dock, leaving necessary guidance.

The Naval Dockyard Command’s shipyard project was initiated in three phases. The first-phase project was success-fully constructed and launched between 1998 and 2002, and the second-phase project from 2009 to 2013, enabling the construction and repair of war vessels as well as departmental and private ships. The third-phase project began construction in 2019, and today the third-phase facilities have been successfully inaugurated.

The Naval Dockyard Command’s dry dock is capable of constructing or repairing large war vessels and commercial ships, which will further enhance the country’s maritime economic benefits and maritime capacity, and provide substantial support for national development.

A ceremony to commission war vessels into service 

The commissioning of war vessels of Tatmadaw (Navy) took place at the navy jetty in Yangon, attended by the Senior General.

Also present at the ceremony were his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Commission Secretary Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Ye Win Oo and his wife, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Htein Win and his wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung and his wife, Union-level dignitaries and their wives, retired commanders-in-chief (navy) and their wives, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the commander of Yangon Command, commanders of Naval Commands, commanders of Naval Bases, officers, other ranks and officials from Tatmadaw (Navy) and guests.

Afterwards, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Htein Win explained regarding the commissioning ceremony of the naval ships. Then, the Commander of the Naval Dockyard Com-mand handed over the documents related to the commissioning naval ships to the Commander of.

Subsequently, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) respectfully presented miniature models of naval ships commemorating the commissioning ceremony to the Senior General.

Continuing, the Senior General handed over the commissioning pennants to the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) for the naval ships to be commissioned, and the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) received them and subsequently handed them over to the respective naval ship captains.

After that, Chief of Staff (Navy) Vice Admiral Aye Min Htwe announced the naval ships as commissioned, hoisted the State Flag, hoisted the Navy Flag, hoisted the Commissioning Pennant, rang the bell eight times, and carried out the commissioning procedures in order.

Next, the Senior General and party toured the commissioning naval ships, namely the Frigate (King Thalun) and responsible officials explained alongside.

Afterwards, the Senior General and party took a commemorative group photo with the distinguished guests who attended.

Continuing, the Senior General arrived on board the Naval Ship (Mottama) and signed the visitor’s logbook. Then, the Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, received the salute of the Guard of Honour from the saluting dais and inspected the Guard of Honour. While receiving the salute of the Guard of Honour, naval ships Yantaing Aung and Yangyi Aung fired a 21-gun salute to honour the Senior General.

Subsequently, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) respectfully presented the first cannon shell casing fired during the gun salute as a commemorative gift to the Senior General.

After that, the Senior General presented the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services’ commemorative insignia and certificates of honour to the officers and other ranks who had participated during the construction period of the commissioning naval ships, and the respective responsible persons received them.

It is reported that at today’s commissioning ceremony of Myanmar Navy ships, the frigate King Thalun, which was commissioned, is the largest naval ship by size built indigenously and commissioned in the history of Myanmar Navy shipbuilding. It underwent long-distance sea trials for over a month, with a total steaming time of over  270 hours, covering a distance of about 3,500 nautical miles. During the trial voyage, tests for compliance with standards and testing of the usability of the equipment installed on the ship according to specified standards were carried out, leading to its commissioning today. It is reported that being able to indigenously build and commission naval ships like this has greatly contributed to enhancing the Tatmadaw’s capability to carry out national defence and security duties.