The submarine has been refurbished by Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam. Last year, Indian and Myanmar naval undertook joint exercises IMNEX … Growing Chinese presence . Of the four, New Delhi’s terms were the most generous and substantial, according to a high-ranking military officer. India and Myanmar had agreed to train personnel for the new submarine fleet at the submarine training base at Visakhapatnam. Japanese envoy calls RCEP's offer to India as observer 'exceptional'; sees Malabar exercise with four forces next year Myanmar in the past bought missiles and hardware from North Korea, Myanmar’s then ruling junta by its old friends in Pyongyang, Bangladesh has bought Ming-class submarines from China. From shop Autodramatic. General Maha Bandoola (also spelled Bandula) was commander-in-chief of the Royal Burmese Armed Forces from 1821 until his death in 1825 in the First Anglo-Burmese War. / Tatmadaw Information Team, Myanmar naval vessels take part in the fleet exercise ‘Bandoola’ on Oct. 15. Myanmar began studying the possibility of buying a submarine in 2005 and in 2007 sent naval officers to India for training. 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The proposed base at Pekua, off the coast of Kutubdia Island in southeastern Cox’s Bazaar, will be built with Chinese assistance primarily because “we need something permanent for maintenance and berthing of the two submarines,” said a retired senior naval official who was involved in the negotiations to buy the submarines. In May 2017, Myanmar’s Deputy Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Myint Nwe publicly announced that the Myanmar military—also known as the Tatmadaw—was seeking a submarine. The Times of India reported on Monday that the Myanmar Navy would use the Sindhuvir primarily as a training platform from March-April 2020. The sailors of the Myanmar Navy have been trained in underwater combat operations onboard on INS Sindhuvir with the help of Indian Navy. We do not encourage viewing this site in this width. In the late 2000s, Myanmar short-listed four “regime friendly” countries, Russia, China, India and North Korea, and dispatched delegations to study the possibility of purchasing a discounted—or, as the Global Times puts it, “retired and outdated”—submarine. Why? By 1948, the new air force fleet included 40 Airspeed Oxfords, 16 de Havilland Tiger Moths, four Austers and three Supermarine Spitfires transferred from the Royal Air Force with a few hun… The Myanmar Navy acquired a diesel-electric Kilo Class submarine from India. Votes: 16,959 Has Myanmar’s Submarine Purchase From India Hit a Nerve in Beijing? Sindhuvir has been modernized by the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Vizag. Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was on hand to preside over the ceremony and salute his naval officers. No. The Bangkok Post reported that the command of the Royal Thai Navy that oversees the Andaman Sea has been ordered to keep a watch over the activities of the Myanmar Navy submarine. A scientist is nearly assassinated. The Myanmar Navy is on course to receiving its first ever submarine after years of failed attempts at purchasing North Korean, Chinese and Russian submarines. In an exclusive interview with The Irrawaddy earlier this month, Myanmar military spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun said hundreds of trainees were receiving the training. But Myanmar leaders including Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing himself traveled to India in 2012 and decided to accept its offer. This year, Myanmar took possession of a used submarine purchased from India. The Soviet-manufactured Kilo-class submarine was refurbished by Indian state-run defense shipbuilder Hindustan Shipyard. Beijing is also helping Bangladesh build a submarine base while helping to build a deep sea port in Kyaukpyu in Myanmar. Uh… yeah. Bangladesh, incidentally, also plans to construct a submarine base in Cox’s Bazar with China’s assistance. The INS Sindhuvir will be used by the Myanmar Navy — which is looking at acquiring its own submarine fleet in the coming years — for training purposes. Although Pakistan is … Durch die … The submarine transfer is a far more significant act, though, and comes amidst China’s ongoing efforts to push some of its older submarines into the services of countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh. The primary weaponry for Type 035G is the Yu-3 torpedo. In the Global Times piece, “Chinese analysts” call on neighboring countries not to “fall into the trap”. Cost was always a major issue and the Indian submarine was chosen. Myanmar plans to buy the submarines after its neighbour Bangladesh inducted two Ming-class diesel-electric submarines from China in 2016. The latter has already commissioned two old Ming-class submarines and is receiving help from China to build a submarine base. In days gone by, North Korean ships carrying weapons and military hardware could be seen docked in Yangon Port. Incoming Myanmar Govt Must Tackle Chinese Casino Haven in Myawaddy, Myanmar Will Benefit From Deeper Ties With India. The decision to transfer the submarine, experts say, has been taken to counter China’s influence in Myanmar and its growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean region. This will be the first submarine of the Myanmar Navy and the the "fully operational" submarine has undergone a "refit package". (71) Submarine Base (Ownchein Island). Myanmar Naval Submarine Base New London News Myanmar Naval Weapons Station Charleston News ( search ) Myanmar Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada News ( search ) In Beijing, government mouthpiece the Global Times took a jab at both Myanmar and India over the issue. Moreover, New Delhi doesn’t want to see Myanmar buying arms from India’s archenemy, Pakistan. Bangladesh has bought Ming-class submarines from China, joining a club of Asian maritime powers with the Type 035B diesel electric submarines. Beijing is also helping Bangladesh build a submarine base, funding the development of its Chittagong port and developing a deep-sea port in Kyaukpyu in Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal. Myanmar can learn a lot from India, and the submarine purchase and training experience was a joint operation that helped cement the friendship between the two militaries. In 2017, the Royal Thai Navy signed $390 million contract with a Chinese shipyard to buy a S-26T class diesel-electric submarine, a new-generation vessel. The Times of India reported on Monday that the Myanmar Navy would use the Sindhuvir primarily as a training platform from March-April 2020. The ship is the first submarine that will enter Myanmar military service. Aware that Myanmar was leaning toward New Delhi, the Chinese got on the phone to Naypyitaw and asked the generals to consider their submarines. All Rights Reserved. Sources told the Economic Times, Myanmar made a conscious decision to purchase an Indian submarine based on a number of factors. Myanmar’s intention to pursue submarines far from unique or new as the country builds up its naval capabilities. In 2009, just before Myanmar began opening up and rolling out the red carpet for foreign dignitaries including US President Barack Obama and then US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Western media reported that a North Korean ship, the Kang Nam, was being shadowed by the US and was likely headed for Myanmar. It may be second hand, but Myanmar’s top brass are proud of their new toy. So with India and China’s regional Great Game intensifying, Myanmar’s position has attracted much attention, and its purchase of the submarine and ambition to build up its blue-water capabilities have been noticed in regional capitals. India is concerned about the purchase of the FC-1 Xiaolongs and is eager for Myanmar to avoid developing a dependence on China. Myanmar Navy was negotiating to buy 2 Kilo class submarines from Russia. India is giving INS Sindhuvir, a Kilo-class submarine in service with the Indian Navy since 1988, to Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs has said. Please increase the size of your window. Also, in April 2013 about 20 Burmese naval officers and ratings reportedly began basic submarine familiarisation and training in Pakistan, probably at the Submarine Training Centre, PNS Bahadur. The aim, the military spokesman said, is to deter foreign threats while serving as a counterweight to the forces of Bangladesh and Thailand—but not to China. In 2016, Bangladesh took delivery of its first submarines—two ageing Ming class vessels that were purchased in 2013 at a cost of $203 million. This prompted JDW to suggest that 'Myanmar is finally taking concrete steps towards developing a subsurface capability'. In 2010, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that her country was planning to “equip the Navy with submarine with base facilities to build it as a deterrent force …if the plan, which has been chalked out for modernisation of … Given the growing tension with Myanmar over the Rohingya refugee crisis, Bangladesh perhaps felt obliged to go for submarines, he said. Bangladesh is also building a base at Cox's Bazar for the submarine fleet, with China expected to assist in its construction. Both Navies have close cooperation and the Indian side has been training Myanmese Naval personnel. Myanmar plans to use its submarine for "security and protection of its maritime interests", Prachachart told the Bangkok Post. This time, the generals wisely decided that dealing with Pyongyang carried political risks. The submarine, scheduled to start operations from December 24, is to be deployed in the Andaman Sea for security mi... 11 Dec, 2019, 10.51 AM IST India is giving INS Sindhuvir, a Kilo-class submarine in service with the Indian Navy since 1988, to Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs has said. Sensing an opportunity, the Indians were more than happy to step in and sell their “outdated” submarine, generously offering to train Myanmar naval officers in the Indian Ocean. / Tatmadaw Information Team, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends a fleet exercise on Oct. 15. China had won the last round in 2017, when it sold Bangladesh two refurbished Type 035G Ming-class submarines for $203 million. However, it has been entertaining to watch Myanmar’s subtle realignment between the regional powers, demonstrating to India and the rest of the international community that the generals are not in fact in China’s pocket. In 2017, China sold two Ming-class submarines to Bangladesh in a $200 million deal. 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Why? It uses French-made sonar DUUX-5 unit. The country is also equipped with many other China-developed weapons like tanks, rockets and rifles.”. Ridiculing India and Myanmar, the Global Times asserts that the submarine “served in [the] Indian army for more than 30 years, entering the end of a submarine’s life—and the refitting only gave it refurbishment, but did not upgrade its system and facilities.”. We may soon read in the Myanmar military-owned newspapers fresh headlines informing us of more seizures of Chinese-made weapons and ammunition along the China-Myanmar border. Myanmar has commissioned the 3,000-tonne submarine INS Sindhuvir, rechristening it UMS Min Ye Thein Kha Thu, and even deployed it during the country’s “Bandoola” fleet exercise, which was inspected by commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday. But they complain privately that they are substandard and that the Chinese can’t be trusted. In gifting the submarine to Myanmar, India is competing with China for influence in the region. Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), the incumbent telecom operator in Myanmar, is the landing party in Myanmar for the SMW5 and SMW3 cable systems. Myanmar began studying the possibility of buying a submarine in 2005 and in 2007 sent naval officers to India for training. The navy plans to build a submarine fleet to strengthen its naval power, with the first vessel to be used for training. / Tatmadaw Information Team, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends the fleet exercise ‘Bandoola’ on Oct. 15. Myanmar Navy intended to establish a submarine fleet by 2015. While economic ties between Thailand and Myanmar have improved, maritime boundary disputes and activities of Karen rebels on their border have strained ties occasionally. Prachachart claimed Myanmar was "going to increase its military efficiency”, referring to negotiations with Russia to buy more Kilo class submarines. China has also upped the stakes in the region by supplying two Ming class submarines to Bangladesh and is understood to be building a submarine base for the Bangladesh Navy. Myanmar will get its first submarine as India will handover the INS Sindhuvir for use the of Myanmar Navy, a ... India and Myanmar forces have also carried out joint operations against insurgent groups in Myanmar. In terms of strategic messaging, the fleet exercise is aimed at Bangladesh, not China. Myanmar has plans to buy similar Kilo-class submarines — called Sindhughosh-class by India — from Russia, which gained ground after Bangladesh inducted two Ming-class diesel-electric submarines from China in 2016. All analysts know that insurgents in the north, including the powerful Wa army, are heavily equipped with Chinese weapons. With a maximum operating depth of 300 meters and a top speed of 18 knots, the vessel is Myanmar’s first submarine. 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