Tatmadaw (Navy) marks 78th anniversary with commemorative ceremony

The 78th anniversary of the establishment of the Tatmadaw (Navy) was celebrated on December 24 at Thiri Maha Zeya Kyaw Htin Hall, Thanlyin Naval Station.

The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC), Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Secretary of the Commission General Ye Win Oo and his wife, retired Commander-in-Chiefs (Navy) and their wives, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Htein Win and his wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung and his wife, Union-level dignitaries and their wives, senior military officers and their wives from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, Commanders of the Yangon Command, Commanders of the Naval Commands, naval base commanders, officers and other ranks from the navy, and invited guests.

At the ceremony, the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services said that if we look back at the history of the Tatmadaw (Navy), we will see that it was established since the time of the ancient kings in Myanmar. The Myanmar Navy began in the 12th century Bagan period and was systematically organized with ranks and honors during the 18th century Konbaung period, but it was forgotten with the arrival of its servitude under the British in 1885. Then, in 1940, the Burma Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (BRNVR) was formed. When the Japanese occupied Myanmar in 1942, some of the BRNVR forces also went to India with the British and was reorganized as the Burma Independence Navy (BIN) on June 20, 1942. After the Second World War, the British regained control of Myanmar, and on December 24, 1947, just days before independence, the Burma Reserve Naval Force was reorganized as the “Burma Navy.” Lieutenant Colonel Khin Maung Bo took over as the Navy Chief from the British and when it was established, it started with 75 officers and 500 soldiers. The warships started with a frigate (Mayu), two minesweepers and 12 battleships, a total of 15 warships. Today, the navy has designed and built its own frigates, and has also been able to strengthen its amphibious warfare vessels, including attack submarines. The navy, which was previously only able to conduct limited sea operations, has now become a navy that can dominate the exclusive economic zone and maritime borders.