Big worry for Bangladesh as Myanmar launches its largest warship, prepares to strike back at…, Muhammad Yunus to…

Myanmar has launched its largest warship, the King Thalun, on December 24, coinciding with the country's 77th Navy Day.

Yangon: In a major move, Myanmar has launched its largest warship, the King Thalun, on December 24, coinciding with the country’s 77th Navy Day. The launch event was held at the Navy Dockyard Headquarters in Thanlyin and was attended by Myanmar’s Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, along with other top officials.

During the event, two 63-meter anti-submarine destroyer ships were also inducted. It is important to note that the launch event comes at a time when Myanmar is facing tensions with its neighboring country, bankrupt Bangladesh.

Here are the features of Myanmar’s New Warship

• Myanmar’s new warship, King Thalun, is named in honor of a historic king.
• The Myanmar Navy has described it as a symbol of the navy’s commitment to maritime security and innovation.
• The warship measures 135 meters in length, 14.5 meters in width, and 9 meters in height, with a draft of 4.1 meters.
• It has a load capacity of 3,500 tons and can reach speeds of up to 30 knots.
• Construction of the vessel began in March 2017 at the Navy Dockyard Command Headquarters.
• The development of Myanmar’s navy is being viewed as an attempt by the junta regime to prepare a tri-dimensional combat force.

This launch comes at a time when rebel forces are giving fierce resistance to the junta’s army. Taking advantage of the civil war in Myanmar, neighboring Bangladesh has also set its sights on the region. In early June, Bangladesh’s military deployed warships near St. Martin’s Island.

Rebel Arakan Army and Bangladesh:

To recall, Bangladesh had largely kept its distance from Myanmar’s internal conflicts during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. Following Hasina’s departure in August, Bangladesh’s interim government has been increasing its engagement with Myanmar’s rebels. According to the reports, the Yunus government is now in contact with the Arakan Army, which has recently gained near-total control over Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

Reports further add that Bangladesh’s Yunus government is seeking a deal with the Arakan Army to establish a safe zone in the neighboring Rakhine province. The Arakan Army, in turn, will require support from neighboring countries to sustain its prolonged struggle.