Myanmar hosts joint naval exercise with Russia, its close ally and top arms supplier

Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing (centre) salutes while inspecting a guard of honour by the Russian Navy during the opening ceremony of first Myanmar Russia Maritime Security Exercise at Thilawa port in Yangon, Myanmar on Nov 7, 2023. - The Military True News Information Team via AP

BANGKOK: Myanmar is holding its first joint naval exercise with Russia, state media reported Tuesday (Nov 7), with the countries carrying out manoeuvres in the Andaman Sea.

Reports in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said that the maritime security exercise with Russia was being held until Thursday, 157km (85 miles) west of Myeik in Myanmar’s far south. Some Russian navy vessels sailed from Yangon to take part, state television MRTV reported.