The Myanmar Navy has commissioned the former Chinese Navy’s Type 035 Ming-class submarine at a ceremony held in commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the navy.
The commissioning ceremony of the submarine Min Ye Kyaw Htin took place on 24 December at Naval Wharf in Yangon.
The different phases of the ceremonial procession of the commissioning ceremony – the declaration of the commissioning of the naval vessels by the Chief of Staff (Navy), the raising of the State Flag, the Navy Flag and the commissioning flag, and the ringing of the bell for eight times – were held.
The Senior General unveiled the name of the submarine by pushing the button. He then visited the ship and presented the badge of honor of the Commander-in-Chief to its captain.
The Ming-class Type 035 diesel-electric submarine is intended to serve a dual function, as an attack submarine, and as a training vessel. China is one of the key suppliers of military hardware to Myanmar’s armed forces, including jet fighters and naval ships.
The submarine has a length of 76 meters, a width of 7.6 meters, and a submerged displacement of 2,110 tons. It can reach a speed of 18 knots and is able to accommodate 57 people. The main armament is represented by 533-mm torpedo tubes located in the bow.
The first unit of the Ming-class submarine, with the construction of two units, began simultaneously in October 1969 in Wuchang Shipyard and Jiangnan Shipyard. Trials were completed in October 1974 and the first unit built at Jiangnan Shipyard entered Chinese service in the following month.
The vessels were built in four variants, with the Type 35B being the most modern design variant. Type 035B is capable of launching land-attack cruise missiles from their torpedo tubes. A total of four boats were commissioned between 2000 and 2003.