State Administration Council Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivers address at Diamond Jubilee Tatmadaw (Navy) Day celebration
NAY PYI TAW December 24
A ceremony to mark the Diamond Jubilee Tatmadaw (Navy) Day which falls today took place at Thiri Maha Zeya Kyaw Htin Hall of the local naval training command headquarters in Yangon Region this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of the 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 wives, retired commandersin-chief (Air) and wives, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung and wife, Union level officials and their wives, Union ministers and their wives, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the chief minister of Yangon Region, the commander of Yangon Command, naval region command commanders, officers, other ranks and families of the Tatmadaw (Navy) and invited guests.
Speaking on the occasion to mark the Diamond Jubilee Tatmadaw (Navy) Day, the Senior General said that today, 24 December 2022 falls on the 75th Anniversary of Tatmadaw (Navy). Eleven days after forming the Tatmadaw (Navy), the Republic of the Union of Myanmar regained Independence. So, it can be dubbed as bringing the good luck and fortune to the country. It can be said that the Tatmadaw (Navy) was born together with the independence.
The Tatmadaw is a patriotic Union armed forces formed with ethnic national brethren. It is primarily responsible to prevent internally and externally possible dangers which may fall on the country. It can be vividly seen in successive eras that the Tatmadaw joining hands with the people has been making sacrifice of life, blood and sweat by upholding the Our Three Main National Causes.
The water territory of Myanmar which is more than a half of the land acres of the nation is 144,912 square nautical miles endowed with valuable under- and above-water resources and habitats of water creatures, small and large islands and coast lines. The sea mainly shapes the economic development of the State. The Myanmar waters comprise the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea as well as the choke points to control the maritime trade routes dubbed as a natural gift. Moreover, it is noticeable that the Myanmar sea is a focal point of Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US, Two Ocean Strategy of China and Act East Policy of India. Aimed at efficiently utilizing the sea, the Tatmadaw (Navy) is being extended in the strategic point of view with reviewing the political, economic and military conditions in order to protect the Myanmar’s maritime interests.
In looking back the history of the Tatmadaw (Navy), it emerged in the reigns of Myanmar kings. The Myanmar navy was initiated in the early 12th century, and it was systematically formed with the ranks, regalia and insignia in Yadanabon era of Konbaung dynasty in the 18th century. The royal naval marching process of King Thayawady to Dagon showed off the qualification of the Myanmar royal navy.
The Myanmar navy with a fine tradition faded into obscurity after the country had lost independence and fell under subjugation. BRNVR emerged in 1940 and it was reconstituted with 74 officers and 763 other ranks in 1946. A frigate and 13 HDMLs (Habour Defence Motor Launch) were also included.
Due to internal armed insurgencies born together with independence, the navy had to fight had in hand with the army and air force for the protection of the State and people and national security.
Naval personnel of successive generations have been shouldering their duties to protect Myanmar’s waters and maritime interests since indepen dence till today. Measures were taken with guidance and assistance from the successive Commanders-in-Chief for the capacity building of the navy, which has now been able to design and build warships.
The aim has been set for warships to be able to fight conventional wars, and plans have been made to build more war vessels in accord with the active defence strategy and two sea strategy. Building more warships has enabled the navy to fight conventional battles and fully perform its duties for the rule of law.
Efforts were made to enable the navy to have vessel readiness, weaponry readiness and personnel readiness to be combat ready. In commissioning warships, measures were also taken to arrange all available such as frigates and attack vessels to thwart threats and counter-attack. Ship bodies could be designed into stealth technology while warships were built to run at a speed of over 40 nautical miles using water jet propulsion. River-going warships have been equipped with armor plates and they are war worthy.
In this regard, engineering corps enforcing the navy’s combat power and the importance of their efforts are also recognized. In honour of Saya Shan, a shipbuilding architect, floating docks were built and commissioned in his name. The aim “buyer to builder” could have been achieved, while civil and military ships necessary for the State could have been built in the first stage. For under-
water operations, two attack submarines have been acquired. In the region, the country has been able to possess submarines. Plans are being made to form a submarine corps.
In implementing four major tasks of the navy, it will be combat ready only if it is a corps with a balanced combat power.
For combat power, modern platforms, high-power weapons and systems and modern communication and electronic devices were also provided in four areas of military operation. Today, the country has owned not only warships but also submarines with a new step towards a three dimensional navy. For improved combat power of the navy, individuals, teams and fleets have been trained annually. Sea shields have annually been launched since 2014 to 2022 with the Commander-in-Chief in his presence without fail. The nature of defence is training and preparedness with farsightedness. Constant training will ensure readiness to defend against sea intruders at any time and facilitate effective protection of Myanmar’s waters.
As a humanitarian aid sector, it includes many activities such as helping people in distress at sea, bringing back the people of our own blood ethnic groups who are suffering from various problems abroad, performing sea search and rescue duties and providing health care for coastal and island residents. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Myanmar citizens who have been facing difficulties for a long time in Malaysia and India’s Andaman Island were able to be brought back in 2021. Annual health care services were provided by the sea-going hospital ship (Thanlwin) and river-going hospital ship (Shwe Puzun) for public health, and about 300,000 people have been provided with health care and treatment.
In addition, to ensure national peace and tranquility, to support the development of the region and to worship and increase merit and righteousness for the public, the world’s largest marble statue of Marawijaya Buddha was put up. More than 9,000 tons of marble were transported by navy vessels. The participation of the navy vessels, officers and oth er ranks will remain a proud record in the history of the religion.
As the diplomatic section of the Tatmadaw (Navy), it was able to show the status of the Tatmadaw through continuous cooperation with neighboring navies and international navies. We have successfully cooperated in naval meetings, including coordinated patrols along borders with regional and international navies and maritime safety exercises and have been able to effectively carry out the diplomatic sector.
A total of 416 officers and other ranks from the Tatmadaw (Navy) including 1 who won the title of “Thiha Thura”, 16 who won the title of “Thura” and 65 who won the Hero Record Badge, were awarded because of their endeavor and faithful service for national defence. Tatmadaw (Navy) has reached a level where it can compete with the regional navies like the proverb "As the level of the water rises, so does the lotus" due to the ideas, experiences and historical milestones that have been established throughout its 75-year history.
Tatmadaw (Navy) has successfully crossed the 75-year journey of effectively protecting the Myanmar Seas, which is of inestimable value to the nation, and being able to compete with regional navies. Today, we have reached the level of a three-dimensional combat ready navy, and we have been able to stand proudly as a large force that the people rely on for the state and the Tatmadaw.
The main thing I would like to ask is for the new generation of officers and other ranks who will serve hand over shoulder. The Senior General said that he would like to order the soldiers to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the spirit of "the boat is empty and the flag is not lowered" for the protection of Myanmar's seas and maritime interests, and fulfill their assigned duties in accordance with the motto "Protecting Myanmar's seas".
After that, the 75th Diamond Jubilee Tatmadaw (Navy) anniversary commemoration video is shown. After that, the officers of the Tatmadaw (Navy) celebrated their Diamond Jubilee with the songs to commemorate the 75th Diamond Jubilee Tatmadaw (Navy) Day.
After that, the Senior General and members cordially greeted the officers, other ranks and family members of the Tatmadaw (Navy).
In addition, the Senior General and members attended the opening ceremony of the office of the Myanmar Coast Guard Command Headquarters this morning.
First, the Senior General opened the signboard of the Myanmar Coast Guard Headquarters.
After that, the Senior General and the members sprinkled the inscription of the Myanmar Coast Guard Headquarters building with scented water.
After that, the Senior General and the members toured the Myanmar Coast Guard Headquarters office building and looked at the situation in the area and the officials gave explanation.