Myanmar Navy Launches “King Thalun” its Largest Locally-built Frigate

The Myanmar Navy  launched a locally built 135-metre Frigate christened,”king Thalun” at the Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters in Thanlyin Station on Tuesday.

The Frigate is the largest vessel among other vessels built by the Tatmadaw (Navy). The vessel with 135 metres in length, 14.5 metres in breadth, nine metres in height and 4.1 metres in draught can withstand 3,500 tonnes of load, and can cruise 30 nautical miles per hour.

Defence Services Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing read the name of the vessel as “King Thalun” in honour of erstwhile King Thalun for adopting the standards and norms for the development of the State.

As per naval traditions, the Senior General broke a bottle of champagne at the auspicious moment and the Frigate was launched as the military band of the Tatmadaw (Navy) played music, according to an official Myanmar government press statement.

Construction of The 135-metre Frigate, “King Thalun” commenced at the Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters in March 2017.  As it was a large displacement vessel, parts of the body were constructed separately, and then assembled.

The vessel has the capability of defending conventional and unconventional threats on the front line of the Myanmar Sea.  It can conduct patrol and surveillance for extended periods of time, besides performing search and rescue operations.