YANGON, 9 March — In a major expansion of its maritime defense and shipbuilding capabilities, the Myanmar Navy commissioned its largest domestically built frigate and inaugurated a massive 40,000-ton dry dock in Yangon on Sunday morning.

The ceremonies, officiated by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, also included a keel-laying event for a new fleet of anti-submarine vessels. The newly commissioned fleet features the UMS King Thalun , a frigate that marks a historic milestone in the country's indigenous naval manufacturing, alongside several multi-purpose riverine vessels.

The centerpiece of the commissioning, the UMS King Thalun , is now the largest warship entirely constructed by the Myanmar Navy. Prior to commissioning, the frigate successfully completed rigorous sea trials, logging over 270 hours and traversing approximately 3,500 nautical miles to ensure all onboard systems met operational standards.

The newly opened 40,000-ton dry dock, located at the Naval Dockyard Command in Thanlyin, is the largest facility of its kind in Myanmar. It is designed to accommodate and repair both large military warships and commercial cargo vessels. During the event, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing officially activated the facility, laid the keel for upcoming anti-submarine ships, and inspected the shipyard's modern management software systems.

The completion of the 40,000-ton dry dock is the culmination of a project initiated in 2018 aimed at achieving self-reliance in shipbuilding and generating revenue through commercial maritime repairs.

This facility represents the successful completion of the third phase of the Naval Dockyard Command's master development plan. The initial phase ran from 1998 to 2002, followed by a second phase from 2009 to 2013, steadily transforming the shipyard into an international-standard facility capable of supporting a modernizing navy.

In his address, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing framed the naval expansion as a vital necessity for safeguarding Myanmar’s national and economic interests. He emphasized that the nation’s maritime territory extends deep into its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and sits along crucial global trade routes.

A stronger navy, he noted, is required to protect these shipping lanes, secure deep-sea ports, and safeguard offshore energy and fishery resources. He urged the Navy to continuously study modern naval architecture and maintain the new facilities at full capacity to ensure long-term strategic readiness.

The commissioning ceremony concluded at a naval wharf in Yangon, attended by high-ranking officials including the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Following the transfer of commissioning pennants and the sounding of the traditional eight bells, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing boarded the UMS Moattama to sign the guestbook. The event closed with a 21-gun salute fired by the UMS Yan Taing Aung and UMS Yan Gyi Aung, after which the Navy Chief presented the Senior General with the first artillery shell casing from the salute as a commemorative token.

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NAY PYI TAW, March 3, 2026 – The National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) has announced a nationwide fuel rationing system, introducing an "odd-even" driving schedule for private vehicles to manage a growing energy crisis.

The new regulations, set to take effect on March 7, are a direct response to global geopolitical instability. Authorities cited ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East as the primary cause for the disruption of maritime shipping routes, which has severely hampered the country's ability to import fuel.

The New Driving Schedule

Under the new mandate, private vehicle access to roads will be determined by the first digit of the vehicle’s license plate:

    Odd-Numbered Days: Only vehicles with plates starting with an odd number (e.g., 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are permitted to drive.

    Even-Numbered Days: Only vehicles with plates starting with an even number (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8, 0) are permitted to drive.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) and EV motorcycles are exempt from these restrictions and may continue to operate daily.

Exemptions and Essential Services

To minimize the impact on the economy and public welfare, the NDSC has exempted several categories from the rationing schedule. Public transport buses, taxis, fuel tankers, cargo trucks, construction vehicles, and emergency services—including ambulances and municipal garbage trucks—remain authorized for daily use.

Cracking Down on Hoarding

The announcement also issued a stern warning to both business owners and the general public against the stockpiling of fuel. The government has prohibited the "hoarding and reselling of fuel at inflated prices," stating that violators will face prosecution under existing laws.

The NDSC concluded the statement by noting that these measures will remain in place indefinitely until further notice.

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NAYPYIDAW — Feb. 26, 2026 — Myanmar and Russia have agreed to significantly strengthen bilateral ties in space technology, with high-level discussions centering on the potential launch of a national satellite to serve Myanmar's public and national interests.

Acting President and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, met with Mr. Dmitry V. Bakanov, Director General of Russia’s Federal Space Corporation (Roscosmos), on Thursday in the capital city of Naypyidaw.

According to an official government press release, the talks focused on expanding direct cooperation between Roscosmos and the Myanmar Space Agency. The two leaders discussed advancing Myanmar's utilization of space technology, improving satellite communications, and implementing robust plans for human resource development within the sector.

A key element of the dialogue was the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. To ensure the long-term growth of Myanmar's aerospace capabilities, both parties exchanged views on continuing to send Myanmar scholars and trainees to Russia to acquire advanced knowledge in aerospace engineering and satellite technology.

The leaders also highlighted recent successful upgrades to the Space Museum in Yangon, noting that the facility has drawn significant interest and active engagement from the country's youth. Both sides emphasized the importance of fostering aerospace awareness among the younger generation.

A Growing Aerospace Partnership

Thursday’s meeting builds upon several years of deepening technological and scientific collaboration between Naypyidaw and Moscow. The aerospace partnership gained significant momentum in September 2022, when Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Amur region. During that milestone visit, he toured the Angara and Soyuz-2 rocket assembly complexes and initiated talks with Roscosmos leadership regarding technological assistance and satellite manufacturing.

Since then, the two nations have steadily integrated their aerospace development efforts. Myanmar engineers have actively participated in specialized training programs in Russia—such as those at Samara University—focusing on nanosatellite design, space mission analysis, and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). This collaboration was further cemented in September 2025 during another high-level visit to Russia, which resulted in formal agreements on civilian nuclear energy and outer space cooperation.

The meeting in Naypyidaw was attended by senior officials from both nations. Joining the Acting President were State Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, Commission Secretary General Ye Win Oo, and other relevant officials. The Russian delegation included the Russian Ambassador to Myanmar, H.E. Iskander Azizov, the Deputy Director General of Roscosmos, and accompanying delegates.

Reported by knl/ymg

Yangon — February 25, 2026

The United States and Myanmar have formalized a new trade agreement for the procurement of American soybean meal, marking a significant step in strengthening agricultural ties between the two nations, according to an official statement from the U.S. Embassy in Yangon.

The agreement was signed during a formal ceremony held on February 24 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regional office in Bangkok, Thailand. The move is expected to bolster Myanmar’s livestock sector while expanding the market reach for American agricultural exports within the Southeast Asian region.

High-level representatives from both sides attended the signing, including U Ye Min Aung, who serves as both the Vice President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and the President of the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF). His presence underscores the importance of the deal for Myanmar's broader industrial and agricultural landscape.

The U.S. Embassy expressed its support for the initiative, noting that witnessing the agreement between U.S. exporters and Myanmar buyers is a positive development for regional trade volumes.

The embassy’s statement highlighted that such partnerships provide a dual benefit: they create vital new markets for American farmers and simultaneously reinforce robust supply chains and long-term economic connections across the region.

By facilitating these trade arrangements, both countries aim to foster economic growth and create fresh opportunities for producers and buyers alike.

Beyond the immediate trade of soybean meal, sources close to the negotiations indicate that U.S. investors are increasingly exploring further investment opportunities within Myanmar’s agricultural and livestock production sectors.

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NAYPYIDAW, Feb 23 — The first regular sessions of the Third Hluttaw (Myanmar’s bicameral legislature and regional parliaments) are officially set to commence in mid-March 2026, according to recent government announcements.

Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat issued a notification convening the first regular session of the Third Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives). The session will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Meanwhile, U Aung Lin Dway, Chief Executive of the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), announced the convening of the remaining parliamentary bodies. The first regular session of the Third Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities) will commence at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Following this, the first regular sessions of the Third Region and State Hluttaws will begin on Friday, March 20, 2026.

The respective parliamentary offices have also issued official reporting directives for incoming representatives to prepare for the upcoming sessions.

Pyithu Hluttaw representatives are required to report to the parliamentary office no earlier than March 10 and no later than March 11, 2026. Similarly, the Amyotha Hluttaw Office has instructed its representatives to report between March 12 and March 13, 2026. Elected representatives for the Region and State Hluttaws must report to their respective parliament offices between March 14 and March 15, 2026.

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar — February 20, 2026

A Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) passenger plane preparing to depart from Myitkyina Airport in Kachin State to Mandalay was attacked on the night of February 20. According to a statement released by the government's information team, the attack was carried out by a coalition of Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People's Defense Force (PDF) insurgent groups using First-Person View (FPV) suicide drones.

The drone strike caused minor shrapnel damage to the nose, mid-fuselage, and tail sections of the ATR-72-600 commercial aircraft. Security forces promptly intervened, evacuating passengers and crew members to safety and providing necessary emergency assistance. Authorities confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries among the travelers and airline staff.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:12 p.m. on Friday. The aircraft was actively boarding passengers and finalizing preparations for its scheduled departure to Mandalay when the KIA and PDF coalition launched the FPV suicide drone attack.

The official press release emphasized that the intentional targeting of a civilian airline—an entity entirely unrelated to military operations and essential for public transportation and the efficient flow of goods—constitutes a War Crime under the Geneva Conventions and international law.

Relevant authorities issued a strong warning that security forces are currently conducting necessary area clearance and security operations, adding that an effective and severe response will be carried out in retaliation for the attack.

(Reporting by knl/ymg)