Nay Pyi Taw December 24
Chairman of State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends commissioning of war ships including submarine (Min Ye Kyaw Htin) in commemoration of 74th Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Navy)
The Tatmadaw (Navy) founded on 24 December 1947 has reached its 74th Anniversary today. A ceremony to commission naval vessels including the submarine (Min Ye Kyaw Htin) into service in commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Navy) took place today at No.3 Naval Wharf in Yangon, attended by Chairman of State Administration Council Commander- in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Also present at the ceremony were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, retired Commanders-in-Chief (Navy) and their wives, Commander-in- Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw and wife, Union ministers, the chief minister of Yangon Region, senior military officers of the Office of the Commanderin- Chief and their wives, the commander of Yangon Command, the Yangon mayor, commanders of Naval Commands, and officers and other ranks of Tatmadaw (Navy).
First, Chief of Staff (Navy) Vice-Admiral Zwe Win Myint explained the salient points of the naval vessels. Next, the Commander of Naval Shipyard Headquarters handed over the papers of the naval vessels to the commander of the Naval Fleet. Then, the Commanderin- 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 the 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. The Senior General unveiled the name (Min Ye Kyaw Htin) of the submarine by pushing the button. He then visited the ship and presented the badge of honor of the Commander-in- Chief to its captain. The Senior General then posed for a group documentary photo.
Afterwards, the Senior General and party inspected commissioned ships – the submarine (Min Ye Kyaw Htin), one offshore craft, two river patrol boats, and two fast river patrol boats. Officials conducted them round the vessels.
The Senior General took the salute of the Guard of Honour on the dais on board the war naval vessel (Mottama) and inspected it. At that time, war ships Yan Taing Aung and Yan Gyi Aung gave a 21-gun salute to the Senior General. Later led by Frigate Aung Zeya, Frigate Kyan Sit Tha, Frigate Sinphyushin, corvette Tabin Shwe Hti and fast-attack crafts saluted the Senior General in Single Line Formation; and fast patrol boats in Diamond 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 badges of honor and gifts to the officers and other ranks of the ships that took part in the naval show and officers and other ranks who took part in building the commissioned ships through the officials. Giving an honorary speech, the Senior General said today’s ceremony is the 74th anniversary of Tatmadaw (Navy) as well as the occasion to commission the naval ships including the second submarine of the Tatmadaw (Navy). It is also a day which reinforces the Tatmadaw (Navy) with considerable power. Together with the submarine, one offshore craft, two river patrol boats, and two fast river patrol boats built by the Tatmadaw (Navy) were commissioned at the ceremony.
The best guarantee for the perpetuation of State sovereignty is the possession of a powerful defence force. In accord with the goal of the first phase, the Tatmadaw (Navy) is being developed into a Three Dimensional Combat Ready Navy that can protect the special economic zone of Myanmar seas well. The task is being carried out in accord with the aim of setting up a submarine force, building naval ships as reinforcements, and providing more qualified human resources. Many different stages and sectors were taken inconsideration in making preparations for the task. Human resources development programs for establishing a submarine force have been set up and carried out through training since the administration of former Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe. Thanks to those programs the Navy is ready to set up a submarine force. Naval shipyards were upgraded to reinforce the Navy with new ships. 88 ships built by those shipyards were commissioned during the period from 2011 to 2021. If today’s commissioned ships are added, the total will be 94. Thanks to their ongoing experiences, the shipbuilding qualifications of the shipyards are improving. Continued efforts will be made to further improve the capability of every ship as the Navy needs to enhance the combat power of its ships.
In connection with human resources development, deck officers, deck crew and engine crew are trained while scholars are sent to other countries to study navy architecture, which is concerned with ship designs, and ship construction in practical fields with the aim of improving their skills.
Human resources development is essential for building a military unit and if measures are taken for human resources development in advance, the implementation process can be carried out quickly. As joint operation drills of army, navy and air force and joint military exercises with armed forces from other countries are conducted, friendship with navies from other countries can be strengthened while the capabilities of the Tatmadaw (Navy), sea duty experience and ocean sailing experience can be achieved. As the Tatmadaw (Navy) has trained not only male personnel but also female officers and crew members, who assign duties on ships, human resources development has improved to some extent. In view of military operations, the formation of the Tatmadaw (Navy) has been restructured to improve the defence system of the country rapidly and effectively. In upgrading the navy, we have fulfilled so many requirements to build a modern navy.
As defence services personnel are required to discharge duties at any time and place under any weather conditions, it is important for them to be fit and healthy physically. Taking part in exercises during discharging regular duties on ships can contribute to performance of duties at sea. By performing duties responsibly and participating in regular exercises can contribute to excellent performance of duties. Therefore, I would like to seriously urge all to lead healthy lives and to participate in exercises for fitness.
Although it does not matter if a personnel does not meet health and fitness requirements while he is discharging duties at headquarters, those who are discharging duties at sea are required to be healthy and fit physically and mentally. I would like to urge all to lead healthy and fit lives in order not to undermine the performance of duties.
Another advice I would like to give you in connection with health is related to prevention, control and treatment of COVID- 19, which the entire world has had to face. Our country has overcome the third wave of COVID-19 thanks to cooperation of the government, the Tatmadaw, relevant organizations and the people in efforts for prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19. During the efforts, as personnel of the Tatmadaw (Navy) bravely discharged duties to transport vaccines, medicines and other needs including oxygen for the public to coastal areas and remote and inaccessible areas in the Ayeyawady Delta, which has to rely on waterway alone, by using ships of the Tatmadaw (Navy), I would like to appreciate their efforts. The efforts of the Tatmadaw during the outbreak of COVID-19 can be documented in the history of Myanmar and I would like to thank and appreciate the Tatmadaw (Navy) for being part of the efforts. As COVID-19 is not a disease that cannot be wiped out completely, I would like to urge all to be prepared to offer assistance for possible circumstances in the future. As all Tatmadaw personnel joined their units based on the noble desire to defend the country and protect the people without being urged by anyone, it is necessary for all to perform duties responsibly in accordance with their conviction seriously.
Personnel are required to try to be good soldiers by observing disciplines, obeying orders and nurturing mutual respect between superior and lower ranks and comradeship. To be a good soldier, it is necessary to perform duties with conscientiousness. Personnel are required to take security of the unit where they are discharging duties, the Tatmadaw and the country they live in into consideration with selfconscientiousness. It is important to prevent the security breach of the country and the Tatmadaw. Although ‘Our Three Main National Causes’ are national duties, the emphasis has been placed on current needs of the country such as prosperity and production of abundant food supplies for the country.
As our nation has over 140,000 square miles of territorial waters and a 1260 miles long coastal line, it is necessary to thoroughly discharge duties with a sense of consideration and attentiveness to protect the vast waters. The Tatmadaw (Navy)’s main duty is to protect natural marine resources rich in Myanmar’s waters, defend any threats of maritime incursion and ensure security and safety of ocean based economy. Although Submarine Min Ye Kyaw Htin commissioned into service today is mainly assigned training duty, it will be able to discharge attack duties if necessary. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively and gainfully use Submarine Min Ye Kyaw Htin not only for training duties but also for the measures to protect the nation’s territorial waters. The word of “Min Ye” means a very brave hero, and that of “Kyaw Htin” fame. Such a name is an award that was conferred to very courageous heroes who faced and wiped various forms of dangers out. The submarine was given such a name with the aim of bravely facing and beating any kind of incursion that will threaten and disrupt Myanmar’s sovereignty. River-going patrol boats could be used for transport duty in the river and built as a multiple- purpose vessel to be able to quickly move in operations in the river. In building a balanced navy, frigates, corvettes and river going patrol boats are being built to be able to protect special economic zones and to perform operations in coastal waters and rivers in order that they will be balanced with duties to be discharged proportionally.
The Senior General thanked all the officials and other ranks of the Tatmadaw(Navy) who discharged duties to build such military vessels and praised their performance.
In the evening, the Senior General and party left No.3 Navy Wharf for Ayeyawady Naval Headquarters by military ship Yadanabon. On the way, the Senior General and Wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla cut the cake to mark the 74th Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Navy) on the military ship. Then, the Senior General, retired Commanders- in-Chief (Navy) and Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw were given souvenir gifts marking the 74th Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Navy) by Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung.
Then, the Senor General and wife cut the ribbon to open the Exhibition to mark the 74th Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Navy), signed in the record book to mark the anniversary and took a tour of the exhibition. Next, the Senior General enjoyed the performance of the Tatmadaw (Navy) Military Band and dance troupe and presented bonus cash to them. Photos telling the history of the Tatmadaw (Navy, naval equipment and small scale model navy ships, shops of book and Tatmadaw personal goods, regional products and Myanmar traditional foods are on display at the exhibition.
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