Myanmar Navy commissions UMS King Thalun as largest domestically built frigate.

On December 24, 2024, the Myanmar Navy officially launched its largest domestically built frigate, UMS King Thalun, at a ceremony held in Thanlyin, Yangon Region. The event coincided with the 77th Anniversary of the Tatmadaw (Navy) and was attended by State Administration Council Chairman and Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, retired naval commanders, and other officials. During the ceremony, Admiral Htein Win provided technical details about the frigate and the construction process.
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The UMS King Thalun frigate incorporates design elements from earlier vessels, such as the King Sin Phyu Shin, but includes key modifications to improve air defense capabilities, radar systems, and operational range. (Picture source: Myanmar Navy)

In addition to the launch, two 63-meter anti-submarine warfare vessels were commissioned into service by the Myanmar Navy. The commissioning process included the formal raising of the national flag, the navy flag, and the commissioning flag, followed by the traditional ringing of the bell eight times. Senior officials, including the Chairman of the State Administration Council and Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, inspected the vessels while officers explained their features and functions. Designed to enhance the fleet's anti-submarine capabilities, these vessels were constructed as part of the Tatmadaw Navy’s ongoing shipbuilding program. The ceremony also featured the presentation of scale models of the vessels as commemorative items.

The UMS King Thalun is the lead ship of the Thalun-class frigates, incorporating design elements from earlier vessels, such as the King Sin Phyu Shin. It includes modifications to improve air defense capabilities, radar systems, and operational range. Construction began in March 2017 at the Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters, with the ship built in segments: 34 main blocks and 15 superstructures were assembled at the dockyard. The frigate measures 135 meters in length, 14.5 meters in width, 9 meters in height, and has a draught of 4.1 meters. It displaces 3,500 tons and can reach a maximum speed of 30 knots, powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system.

Named after King Thalun of the Toungoo Dynasty, the frigate is equipped with stealth technology to reduce its radar cross-section, advanced radar and sensor systems, and extended operational range. Its armament includes an OTO Melara 76 mm naval gun, AK-630 CIWS, HQ-16 surface-to-air missiles, Kh-35E anti-ship missiles, and RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers. Additional weaponry comprises triple torpedo launchers for Shyena torpedoes, large depth charge throwers, and M2 Browning heavy machine guns. The ship also accommodates a Ka-28 helicopter and a Schiebel Camcopter S-100 UAV.

The frigate was constructed as part of Myanmar’s naval modernization program, initiated in 2001. This initiative aims to replace older vessels and enhance naval capabilities with domestically built ships incorporating systems from Russia, India, China, and Western manufacturers. To date, the Myanmar Navy has built six indigenous frigates under this program, combining multiple weapon and sensor systems. Earlier milestones include the Aung Zeya, commissioned in 2011, and the Kyansittha, commissioned in 2012 as Myanmar’s first stealth frigate. Both ships integrated advanced systems sourced from international suppliers. The Myanmar Naval Shipyard, established with Chinese assistance in the late 1990s, supports these efforts. Many naval engineers have received training in China and Russia, contributing to domestic shipbuilding capabilities.

Myanmar’s modernization program also involved acquiring and upgrading vessels such as the two Type 053H1-class frigates from China in 2012, equipped with advanced missile systems and sensors. The emphasis on domestic shipbuilding led to the construction of frigates like the Aung Zeya and Kyansittha, integrating systems from various suppliers. The UMS King Thalun is expected to play a pivotal role in missions including territorial patrols, surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and search-and-rescue operations. Its multi-mission design enables the Myanmar Navy to address both conventional and unconventional threats more effectively. This addition strengthens the navy's capacity to secure the nation's maritime boundaries and contributes to maintaining stability in surrounding waters.

Myanmar's geographical position along the Bay of Bengal makes its maritime domain strategically significant in regional geopolitics. The nation's access to the Indian Ocean has drawn interest from major powers such as China and India, which seek to expand their influence in the area. Myanmar’s interactions with these countries include naval collaborations, energy resource exploration, and infrastructure projects. The country’s involvement in regional organizations like ASEAN further reflects its strategy to maintain balanced relations with neighboring states and global powers, shaping its role within the geopolitical dynamics of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.