Myanmar Inducts First of New Torpedo Craft

The Myanmar Navy (MN) has continued its programme of expansion and modernisation with the launch earlier this month of the first in a new class of torpedo craft.The indigenously designed and built vessel, with a pennant number of T201, was launched and commissioned at the Rangoon Navy Dockyards on 8 May, according to local press reports.

With an aluminium body and a length of 70 ft (21 m), the new torpedo boat has low observable radar characteristics, a maximum speed of 35 kt, and is reportedly armed with up to eight Russian- or Chinese-manufactured torpedoes.Intended to become what one report described as a "principal anti-submarine warfare boat" for the MN, the new class appears aimed at reinforcing the capabilities of ageing Chinese-built Type 037 Hainan-class fast attack craft (FAC) submarine-chasers, which have been in the MN's inventory since the early 1990s.

http://www.janes.com/article/38239/myanmar-inducts-first-of-new-torpedo-craft