The Myanmar Navy (MN) has deployed its largest capital vessel and flagship, UMS Mottama (1501), a new South Korean-built landing platform dock (LPD), to support a rapid buildup of ground forces in western Rakhine state where a ceasefire with the ethno-nationalist Arakan Army (AA) is under growing strain.
In late May, the Mottama sailed to the deep-sea port of Kyaukphyu on the Rakhine coast in its first reported combat-related mission since it was commissioned in December 2019.
On 2 June, the 122-metre-long amphibious assault ship, reportedly transporting heavy artillery and rocket systems along with infantry forces, sailed further north along the coast to the dock at the riverine harbour of Ah Ngu Maw in Rathedaung Township.
The deployment of forces to Rathedaung is part of a broader reinforcement of the military’s footprint in Rakhine involving a buildup based on Kyuakphu, where an estimated 1,000 additional troops have reportedly landed since last May.
Myanmar Navy deployed South Korea landing platform dock in west Myanmar. Warship reportedly carried infantry, heavy artillery and rocket systems.
The Bangladesh-Myanmar border is known for criminal activities, including human trafficking, arms and drugs smuggling, and robbery. Additionally, the existence of improvised explosive devices in the border areas also created a trust deficit between the two neighbours.
The neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar had a generally frosty relationship under the Burmese military junta as a result of the presence of over one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh often served as a major irritant.
© 2022, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.