General Kyaw Swa Lin, Defence Services Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Commander-in-Chief (Army), delivered a speech yesterday morning during the fifth anniversary ceremony of the Myanmar Coast Guard held at its headquarters in Thanlyin Station. The event was attended by senior officers from the Tatmadaw, including representatives from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Yangon Command, naval commands, and members of the Myanmar Coast Guard.
The ceremony also featured the official opening of a new Recreation Centre, marked by the General unveiling the plaque and performing a traditional water sprinkling ceremony. A report was presented outlining the construction of the facility.
In his address, General Kyaw Swa Lin emphasized the strategic importance of the Myanmar Coast Guard, established in 2021 under the guidance of the Head of State. He outlined the Coast Guard’s broad mandate, which includes maritime security management, law enforcement within Myanmar’s internal waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), search and rescue operations, combating transnational crimes at sea, and fostering international cooperation with other coast guard forces.
The General highlighted the Myanmar Coast Guard’s vision of evolving into a capable force responsible for protecting maritime interests, safeguarding marine environmental safety, and upholding the rule of law across the coastal domain. He noted Myanmar’s critical geographic position as a link connecting the Indo-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean with Southeast Asia, South Asia, China, and India, underscoring the importance of maritime affairs to the country's trade and geopolitical standing.
General Kyaw Swa Lin further discussed the current government’s efforts to build a Union based on democracy and federalism, underlining the commitment to economic cooperation with partner countries that includes the maritime sector and blue economy initiatives. He stressed that maritime activities involve adherence to international legal and technical standards, disaster management, and humanitarian considerations.
The General detailed operational priorities for the Coast Guard, which involve close coordination with the Tatmadaw Navy and maritime police to protect fishermen and seafarers, conduct search and rescue missions, tackle smuggling, piracy, human trafficking, and other illicit activities, and maintain control over strategic maritime choke points. He also noted ongoing training programs for personnel, both domestic and international, designed to enhance skills, language proficiency, and maritime law expertise.
Myanmar has equipped the Coast Guard with offshore patrol vessels, fast patrol boats, and smaller boats to strengthen its operational capabilities. The passage of the Myanmar Coast Guard Law on July 17, 2025, was cited as a significant step in legal empowerment for the force to carry out its duties effectively.
In his concluding remarks, General Kyaw Swa Lin called on Coast Guard members to uphold Myanmar’s maritime sovereignty and legal jurisdiction, improve their capabilities, and work toward modernizing the force in line with international standards. He emphasized the goal of creating a maritime domain that is safe, secure, stable, clean, and productive, capable of confronting unconventional threats along Myanmar’s extensive coastline and maritime boundaries.
Following the speech, the General and attendees viewed a documentary commemorating the Coast Guard’s achievements, inspected various exhibits and rescue vessels displayed for the occasion, and received reports on operational progress and challenges. He also visited agricultural and livestock facilities at the headquarters intended to support the welfare of Coast Guard families.