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Navy Bases

The main naval bases are located at Akyab, Bassein, Yangon, Syriam, Moulmein and Mergui. A number of smaller bases and anchorages are scattered along Burma's shoreline and offshore islands, such as Great Coco Island.

In May 1988, Wilson John writing in The Pioneer reported that India had gathered crucial evidence of Chinese naval officials working on at least nine Myanmar naval bases and Chinese vessels visiting certain islands close to the Indian coastline to monitor signal communications. Senior Government officials said they have the specific number of PLA naval engineers and operation officers posted at the Myanmarese naval bases. The discovery of this substantial Chinese military presence close to the Indian shore came at a time when both the Chinese and Myanmar governments had flatly denied setting up a signal monitoring station at Coco Islands near the Andamans.

The new evidence of increased Chinese activity in Myanmar naval bases strengthened India's suspicions about Beijing's intentions. Naval experts cautioned that China might pose a long-term threat to India's maritime security. Senior officials in New Delhi said the Chinese have been quietly building the pressure by sending vessels to intercept Indian signal communications. Two such vessels had visited Munaung within the Danyawaddy naval regional command, Yan Ria and other islands in October and December 1997 and January 1998.

Intelligence reports revealed the following new developments at some of the Myanmarese naval bases:

1. Coco Islands: There were six naval engineers and operation officers from the PLA Navy.
2. Hainggyi Islands: Four naval engineers and operation officers.
3. Kyakkame naval base: Five PLA Navy officers.
4. Margui Kyunsu naval base: Four PLA officers.
5. Tannintharyi naval HQ: Seven naval officers.
6. Sittute naval base: Seven officers.
7. Zadet Gyi naval base: Two PLA officers.
8. Ayeyarwady Naval HQs: Seven PLA navy officers and engineers.

With Myanmar’s consent, China operated a maritime reconnaissance and electronic intelligence station on Great Coco Island and built a base on Small Coco Island in the Bay of Bengal. China helped Myanmar modernize several naval bases as a means of extending its power into the region. Moreover, Indian authorities claimed that China helped build radar, refit, and refuel facilities there to support further Chinese naval operations in the region in the future.