Myanmar Military Modifying Coastal Submarine at Thilawa Naval Dockyard, Satellite Imagery Reveals: Janes

Yangon, July 3 The Myanmar Navy is modifying a coastal submarine at the naval dockyard in Thilawa, Yangon Region, Janes, a global military and defense analysis group, reported on July 2, based on satellite imagery. Janes is a UK-based international military and defense information, intelligence analysis, and research organization, and is a leading global military research institution that analyzes and publishes information on weapons, warships, military aircraft, submarines, missile systems, and military activities worldwide, based on satellite imagery and other open-source intelligence. According to Janes' analysis, the coastal submarine was discovered via satellite imagery while it was being landed and maintained at the naval dockyard in Thilawa. The satellite images were taken in March 2026 and were recently made public. According to the photos, the submarine was placed on a Syncrolift vessel lifting system, and Janes reported that maintenance or technical inspections were being conducted alongside a patrol vessel of the State Administration Council Navy named Yan Nyein Aung. Measurements from the satellite imagery indicate that the coastal submarine is approximately 37 meters long and is equipped with a cruciform rudder arrangement. Janes noted that these characteristics match the design of a submarine first detected by satellite in the Yangon River in April 2023. The submarine is significantly smaller compared to other submarines currently in service with the Myanmar Navy. While the Russian-made Kilo-class submarine transferred from India is approximately 72.6 meters long, and the Type 035B (Ming-class) submarine transferred from China is approximately 76 meters long, the coastal submarine discovered is only 37 meters long, making it about half the size of those submarines. Janes' military analysis suggests that the coastal submarine project was first noticed in 2024, and its presence at the State Administration Council Navy's main maintenance dockyard alongside other warships indicates that it is likely a project intended for integration into the naval force's structure, rather than just for technical testing or temporary training purposes. Furthermore, military experts cited by Janes estimate that due to its small size, the submarine is likely developed for use in covert intelligence missions, secret maritime transport of special commando units, information gathering, and special training missions, rather than regular naval operations. Prior to this, on June 16, Military Watch Magazine reported, citing satellite imagery, that the Myanmar military was building its first domestically produced attack submarine with technical assistance from North Korea. The article stated that the submarine is approximately 40 meters long and may be based on the design of North Korea's Sang-O class submarine, noting decades of military cooperation between Myanmar and North Korea, and that North Korea has previously transferred submarine technology to other countries. Currently, the Myanmar Navy officially operates two submarines: the Russian-made Kilo-class submarine "Min Ye Theinkhathu" transferred from India, and the Type 035B (Ming-class) submarine "Min Ye Kyaw Htin" transferred from China.