In 2010, the Myanmar Navy commissioned its first domestic frigate, the Aung Zeya F-11.
In an effort to become the leading force in Southeast Asia, in the past 10 years, the Myanmar Navy has been reinforced with a number of surface warships with considerable strength. In 2010, the Myanmar Navy commissioned its first domestic frigate, the Aung Zeya F-11. Aung Zeya is the first and only guided missile frigate of its class, built by the Myanmar Navy Shipyard in 2008.
The Aung Zeya seems to be based on the Anawrahta corvette, with Chinese support. The Aung Zeya class possesses an enhanced striking power compared to the Anawrahta class in the form of Chinese-supplied C-602 anti-ship missile with a 151 nautical mile range-more than double of that of the C-802. The OTO Breda 76 mm gun appears to have become the new standard medium-calibre gun in Myanmar Navy service. However, the frigate is armed with Russian-supplied AK-630 6-barrelled Gatling-type 30 mm close-in weapon system. According to Janes, the ship is equipped with a helicopter deck but no hangar facilities like the Anawrahta. For anti submarine warfare, again the standard RBU-1200 mortars.
Aung Zeya has a displacement of about 2,500 tons, a length of 108 m. Power is through a Combined Diesel-And-Diesel arrangement involving 4 x SEMT Pielstick 16PA6 STC diesel engines, developing 7,600 horsepower each. This gives the vessel a maximum speed of 30 knots in ideal conditions, and a range out to 3,305 nautical miles.
Aung Zeya is the first frigate of the Myanmar Navy to have reduced radar cross-section features on its design. Sensors and processing systems include an Indian-originated L-band 2D search radar and Type 347G radar for Fire Control of the 76mm armament. There is also an SNTI-240 system handling SATCOM, and 2 x British-originated Racal RM1290 navigation radars, as well as a hull-mounted BEL HMS-X2 sonar system.
The success of the indigenous frigate, Aung ZeYa, marked a significant achievement for the Myanmar Navy ship construction industry. The ship completed numerous successful missions and port calls throughout the region, receiving high praise. Additionally, it participated in various naval exercises, coordinated patrols, and fleet reviews across the sea. Despite lacking some stealth features such as acoustic, heat, and radar absorbent materials, the vessel’s reduced RCS structure and impressive design and capabilities Myanmar Navy ship building technology have impressed neighboring navies.
