Myanmar commissions Type 035 submarine, second Inlay-class offshore patrol vessel

 

The Type 035 submarine UMS Minye Kyaw Htin (72). Photo c/oAAH_Th Thai Defense page.



The Myanmar Navy commissioned a Type 035 submarine to its fleet as part of the 74th founding anniversary of the service.  

The submarine was commissioned as the UMS Minye Kyaw Htin (72) during ceremonies held on 24 December 2021 at the Myanmar Naval Dockyard in Yangon, with Myanmar State Administration Council Chairman and Senior General Min Aung Hliang presided the event.

The submarine, formerly with China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), is the first of its class in Myanmar Navy service, and its second ever submarine after commissioning a former Indian Navy Sindhughosh-class (Project 877EKM Kilo-class) submarine UMS Minye Theinkhathu (71) in 2020.

Despite arriving only recently, the submarine was immediately commissioned to coincide with the Myanmar Navy's anniversary, similar to commissioning exercises during previous anniversaries. 

It was first reported by submarine analyst H.I. Sutton that a Type 035 submarine flying a Chinese flag was seen entering the Malacca Strait on 20 December 2021 and was heading to Myanmar, and escorted by a Myanmar Navy 5-series fast attack craft.

The submarine is believed to be gifted or sold at a very low price by the Chinese Government to Myanmar, and could be a political move by China to counter India's efforts to sway Myanmar in its favor in terms of arms sales and influence.

In addition, the Myanmar Navy also commissioned its second Inlay-class offshore patrol vessel, two 18-meter riverine fast attack crafts, and four 20-meter riverine patrol boats as part of the ceremonies.

The Inlay-class OPV was commissioned as the UMS Inma (56), and was locally designed and constructed by the Myanmar Naval Dockyard in Yangon.





[1] AAH_Th Thai Defense Page
[2] Covert Shores

Myanmar commissions Type 035 submarine, second Inlay-class offshore patrol vessel Myanmar commissions Type 035 submarine, second Inlay-class offshore patrol vessel Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on December 27, 2021 Rating: 5

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