Thu 15 Jul 2004
Arms Deliveries
A survey of arms deals with Burma over the past 18 months has revealed the following:
China
Rangoon is locked into a continuing close logistical relationship with Beijing, due to the need to maintain all the arms and military equipment purchased from China, at an estimated cost of billions of dollars, since 1988. However, the SPDC is interested in acquiring even more arms, and new
weapons and consignments of materiel continue to be delivered.
There have been reports of 200 heavy-duty trucks crossing the China-Burma border, and of shipments of unspecified âair force weaponsâ, multiple rocket launchers and possibly artillery. There were also reports in March 2004 that the
Burma Army was negotiating yet another arms deal with China, this time to buy obsolescent weapons being phased out by the Peopleâs Liberation Army. In addition, there have long been rumors that Burma has been negotiating with China for the purchase of combat helicopters, minesweepers, anti-ship missiles and sea mines.
North Korea
Rangoonâs developing relationship with Pyongyang has gone well beyond the small arms ammunition purchased in 1990, and the sixteen 130mm artillery pieces acquired by the SPDC in 1998. For example, in 2003 a team of North Korean technicians was sent to Rangoon to install surface-to-surface
missiles on some new Burma Navy vessels. In addition, discussions have taken place between Rangoon and Pyongyang over the purchase of a small submarine, and possibly even a number of SCUD short-range ballistic
missiles.
Late last year there were even suggestions that North Korea was assisting Burma with the construction of a nuclear reactor, raising the specter of the Rangoon regime one day acquiring a nuclear weapon.
India
As part of a renewed effort to get closer to Burma, India has provided the Tatmadaw with a range of weapons, ammunition and equipment. In May 2003 the Indian Defense Ministry confirmed that it had sold the Tatmadaw eighty 75mm howitzers (or âmountain gunsâ). Also, India has reportedly sold mortar and artillery ammunition to Rangoon, and advanced communications equipment.
A Burmese military delegation visiting India in early 2004 said that the Tatmadaw welcomed further arms deals. The Indian Defense Minister has stated that New Delhi is keen to sell Burma naval vessels. A demonstration by Indian combat aircraft in Burma this year prompted speculation about future sales to the Burma Air Force.
Ukraine
The Russian language press stated in late 2002 that the Ukraine had contracted to provide Burma with some 36D6 radar systems. In mid-2003 it was reported that the Ukraine had sold the Tatmadaw 50 T-72 main battle tanks. In February 2004, a Ukrainian-flagged ship made a secret delivery to Rangoon, probably of air defense weapons. Also, in May 2003, one of the Ukraineâs leading arms exporters signed a contract with Burma worth US $500 million, to provide the Rangoon regime with components for 1,000
BTR-3U light armored personnel carriers. Over the next ten years these vehicles will be supplied in parts, and assembled in a new, purpose-built factory in Burma. More arms deals between Rangoon and Kiev are likely.
Serbia
In December 2003, Serbian language sources claimed that Rangoon had contracted with Belgrade to buy a number of âNoraâ self-propelled howitzers. The cost of these weapons, which are marketed by Jugoimport-SDPR, is unknown. In addition, in March 2004 about 30 Serbian engineers arrived in Burma to repair and upgrade the Burma Air Forceâs 12
Soko G-4 jets, which were purchased from the Republic of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. These aircraft have been grounded for several years, due largely to a lack of spare parts.
Russia
In late 2002 the SPDC purchased eight MiG-29B-12 air superiority combat aircraft and two dual-seat MiG-29UB trainers from Russia, at a reported cost of about US $130 million. All these aircraft were delivered to Burma by the end of 2003. In addition, in July 2002 Rangoon signed a contract
with the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy (Minatom) for the construction of a nuclear reactor in Burma. While the project has encountered major problems, probably due to its cost, it may still go ahead. It is likely that the shipments of Russian military equipment detected in southern Burma in April 2003, which were thought to be components for the reactor, were in fact deliveries of a new communications system.
Slovakia
According to a news report dated October 2003, the Unipex Company of Slovakia is currently being investigated for taking part in the illegal export to Burma of machines for the manufacture of âartillery grenadesâ (possibly rocket propelled grenades).
It is likely that other contracts have been signed but not yet been made public. The frequent visits to Rangoon of North Korean and Ukrainian cargo vessels over the past 18 months, and the measures taken to hide the nature of their cargoes, strongly suggests that other deliveries of arms and
equipment have occurred. Several eastern European countries are keen to sell arms to Burma. Also, countries like Singapore, Pakistan and Israel maintain close links with Rangoon. All have weapon systems that are on the Tatmadawâs wish list. In the past, these factors have often led to substantial sales of weapons, military equipment and dual use goods to Burma, and related training contracts.
http://www.burmanet.org/news/2004/07/15/irrawaddy-the-arms-keep-coming-but-who-pays-william-ashton/