AiBotKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – A Chinese-built Ming Class submarine, gifted to Myanmar’s military junta at the end of 2021, has been spotted near the coast of the Tanintharyi region, sparking concerns about military activities in the region.
According to multiple sources, the submarine, which is a diesel-electric attack submarine designed to operate in shallow waters, was seen sailing off the coast of the Tanintharyi region, which is a strategic location in southern Myanmar.
The Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw, received the submarine in December 2021, as part of a larger deal with Beijing that included several other military assets. The Tatmadaw’s acquisition of the submarine has raised concerns among regional observers, who point out that the ship’s capabilities will enhance the military’s ability to project power in the region.
The sighting of the submarine near the coast of Tanintharyi has led to speculation that a naval exercise may be planned in the area. Military assets from various units of the Myanmar Navy have been seen gathering in the region, leading some to believe that a large-scale exercise is underway.
Regional analysts have expressed concern about the development, citing the possibility that the Myanmar Navy may be expanding its operational reach in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Thailand. The presence of the Chinese-built submarine in the area has also sparked concerns about China’s expanding influence in the region.
The sighting of the submarine comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. The Myanmar military has been engaged in a conflict with multiple ethnic armed groups and anti-junta militias, and several countries in the region, including India and Thailand, have expressed concern about the conflict’s spillover effects.
The development also highlights concerns about the balance of power in the region, with many observers warning that the expansion of military capabilities by Myanmar could lead to instability and miscalculation.
As the situation continues to unfold, regional officials and analysts are closely watching developments in the region.