The Myanmar Coast Guard received new combat vessels from the Navy as part of the country’s maritime security and development strategy.

The handover ceremony took place on December 24 at the No.3 naval jetty in Yangon, marking the 76th Anniversary of Myanmar’s Navy.

Vice-Senior General Soe Win, the Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, and his wife were among the senior military officers who attended the event.

The features of the newly commissioned warships were briefed and the director general of the Coast Guard given the relevant documents.

The Vice-Senior General said that the ceremony saw the addition of two 33-metre long costal guard ships, the 7th and 8th 27-metre Super Dvora fast patrol boats made by the Myanmar Navy with foreign technology, and one river patrol boat to the navy’s fleet.

He also said that one offshore patrol boat and two coastal combat vessels were transferred to the coast guard to strengthen its capacity.

He outlined the three phases of the naval modernization program, which aimed to transform the Navy into a force that can safeguard the exclusive economic zone, project power in the regional waters, and operate in the blue oceans where the national interest lies.

He said that the first phase had been achieved and the second phase was underway. He emphasized the need for more powerful ships and more skilled personnel, and the importance of continuous training.

He rewarded the ship builders with a basket of fruit and cash prizes after the ceremony.