Myanmar to Receive its First Submarine from India

India will be delivering a refurbished Kilo-class submarine, INS Sindhuvir, it bought from Russia in the 1980s to the Myanmar Navy, this year.

"This will be the first submarine of Myanmar Navy," Anurag Srivastava, Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said during a briefing on Thursday.

Myanmar was looking to acquire submarines for training purposes. Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is currently on an official visit to India.

The development comes just days after Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla’s visit to Myanmar. During their visit, India agreed to supply artillery guns, tanks, bullet-proof jackets and other equipment to Myanmar's military “Tatmadaw.”

The submarine is currently being modernised by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Vizag city. Shipment of the boat could take place soon after its upgrade.

Indian media reported requisite permissions have been taken from Russia regarding the transfer of the Kilo-class vessel. It will be equipped with indigenous systems to aid training of the Myanmar Navy.