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Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, recently met with Russia’s navy chief to initiate the inaugural Myanmar-Russia joint naval exercises.
These drills, named MARUMEX, are set to take place off Myanmar’s Andaman coast, involving a series of maritime security drills. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar published images of Min Aung Hlaing receiving military honors from Russian sailors and touring the Admiral Tributs destroyer, where he was informed about the ship’s defense capabilities and the antisubmarine helicopters on board.
According to both nations, the drills will take place from November 7 to 9 and are aimed at enhancing preventive measures against various maritime threats and ensuring maritime security, as detailed by Myanmar’s official reports. Scheduled 85 nautical miles west of Myeik, the exercises will involve Russian vessels, including the Admiral Panteleyev, another destroyer specializing in antisubmarine warfare.
Since the February 2021 military takeover in Myanmar, which resulted in widespread violence and displacement, the country has deepened ties with Russia, especially as Russia faces its own international isolation due to the Ukraine conflict. Myanmar’s military has been receiving significant weaponry and support from Russia, marking an escalation in their bilateral relations.
