Myanmar junta receives new submarine from China

Myanmar obtained ownership of a submarine from China last week at a ceremony in Yangon, which was presided over by coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The event was timed to coincide with the 74th anniversary of the founding of the Myanmar Navy, reports The Irrawaddy.

The Ming-class Type 035 diesel-electric submarine, named Min Ye Kyaw Htin is intended to serve a dual function- as a stopgap attack submarine, and as a training vessel.

Myanmar's armed forces rely heavily on Chinese military hardware, notably jet aircraft and naval ships. Myanmar also bought modern combat jets from Russia and Pakistan.

This new sign for the junta will undoubtedly enrage Myanmar citizens, who have been protesting Beijing's failure to condemn the military takeover on February 1.

In the aftermath of the coup, large anti-China rallies erupted in Yangon and elsewhere, and 13 or 14 Chinese-backed factories in Myanmar's economic hub have been damaged or targeted in arson attacks.

Pro-democracy protesters have also called on the public to oppose all Chinese projects and boycott products made in its northern neighbour.

Myanmar began studying the possibility of buying a submarine in 2005; two years later it sent naval officers to countries friendly to the then-ruling regime, including India, for training.

According to military officers who spoke to The Irrawaddy in 2020, cost was always a major issue; wary of blundering into an inappropriate purchase, Myanmar’s generals made a thorough study of the submarines on offer from various countries.

In an article headlined, “Hyping China influence in India – Myanmar submarine deal attempts to provoke: experts”, it opined, “India wants to get rid of a retired and outdated submarine, and Myanmar needs one to train its soldiers.”

The article goes on to cite Chinese analysts’ doubts over the functionality of the submarine, which India insists will serve the Myanmar military until at least 2030 after refitting.

During last week’s commissioning ceremony, Major Yan Naing Tun, the commanding officer of the Min Ye Kyaw Htin, told junta media Myawady that the addition of the new submarine would allow the Myanmar navy to engage in “three-dimensional warfare”.