Taking advantage of the 77th anniversary of the Myanmar Navy, the shipyards launched the brand new FF-135 frigate and commissioned two corvettes at the Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters in Thanlyin, Yangon Region.
Tatmadaw (Birman name of Myanmar Armed Forces) has the specificity to have their own shipyards to build and refit their own ships. It is the latter that constructed the ‘King Thalun’ – largest surface combatant built locally – and the two corvettes. Until now, Myanmar has relied a lot on foreign technologies and shipyards to modernize its fleet as demonstrated by the commissioning of the LPD ‘Moattama‘ built in South Korea and the Type 35B Ming-class submarine from China ‘UMS Minye Kyaw Htin’.
Regarding the frigate and according to local newspaper, the ship construction began in 2017. About technical data, the ‘King Thalun’ is a 135 metres-long frigate displacing 3,500 tons with 14.5-metre beam, and 4.1 metres draught. If the configuration is not well known, its combat suite must probably be similar to the Kyan Sittha-class frigate, mixing Chinese, and Russian systems.
As main weaponry, the ship should embark a 76mm main gun, and likely eight C802 anti-ship missiles. The main observable difference takes place in the addition of vertical launching system for air-defense which would be a first for the Myanmar Navy.
The more modern and stealthier shape of the hull and masts also suggests a big enhancement compared to ships already in service within the Tatmadaw’s fleet. It seems new radars will be fitted such as new search radar. Regarding anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the bow shape indicates the presence of a sonar in it. The helicopter deck should also be able to host a chinese-made Z-9C ASW helicopter or a UAV.
