Myanmar-China

China beefs up Myanmar’s military power

China has been helping Myanmar (Burma) to beef up its military might.  The total value of the military assistance is put at around $3 billion by conservative estimates.

The help is not limited to the army but covers navy and air force as well. A frigate built with Chinese assistance near Yangon has joined the naval fleet in September.

Besides modernization, China is helping Myanmar meet the shortage of spares for some salvageable vintage equipment, according to information from various sources. Like to its other friendly States, to Myanmar also the military aid is highly subsidized. The value of subsidy component is not available but it is expected to be considerably high since Myanmar’s junta ravaged economy is in a bad shape.

In the year 1989, Myanmar received $1.4 billion American dollars worth of Chinese aid. It was 21.36 million RMBs in 2001. Between 2005 and 2008 China provided aid valued at another 51 million RMBs. For the Year 1994, for which also aid data is available, Myanmar armed forces received 400 million American dollars worth of Chinese military hardware and spares.

Renminbi or simply RMB means ‘people’s currency’ of the People’s Republic of China, though ISO 4217 abbreviation is CNY. At current exchange rates
1 Chinese yuan = 0.146479 U.S. dollars
Myanmar’s Air Force is not that very big. It is in for a long overhaul. Indications are that Myanmar is tapping China to acquire at least four numbers of A-5 aircraft and six numbers of F-7 aircraft for training purpose.  

F-7 fighters and FI-7 aircraft are also badly in need of an upgrade. Myanmar is looking to China for new model air-to-air missiles and chaff and flare cartridges for at least 50 fighter plane and six F1-7 aircraft.

Another ‘spares’ the Junta wants ‘the all weather friend’ is engines for K-8 aircraft. The existing engines are US– made.

The Air Force has also indented for ejection seats of A-5 fighters ( replacement), overhaul of  PL-5B missiles ( 64 no) installed on F-7s,  chaff and flare cartridges for
A-5 fighters.

It is also in need of overhaul of following test cars used for repairing and maintenance of weapons installed on F-7 fighters

•    Power supply trucks (NY-1077-2)
•    Air Compressor Truck (Y-14)
•    Air Charging Truck (CQ-1)
•    Missile test Truck (PD-3)

A division level war –game simulator for training in tactics and three simulations systems for the artillery to impart training in fire detection training are among a host of items China has promised to provide at highly subsidized rates to Myanmar. expected to be provided bon the shopping list.

The Directorate of Artillery is said to souring from China the following. 

 

          122 mm (D-30-2) HE      : —25680 nos
          122 mm HE ER FB         :— 17120 nos
          122 mm HE ER FB BB   : —10272 nos

Myanmar is banking on China for repairs to PT-6 Procedure trainer.

ARMY
 The following acquisitions reportedly figure very high for the directorate of Armoured Unit.

•    30mm UOF-8 (HB-T)   :-        13528 Rds
•    30mm UOR-6(HE-I)     :-        10500 Rds
•    30mm UBR-6(APT)      :-        12868 Rds
•    30mm Grenade (vog-17):-       9306 Rds
•    7.62mm (1 PS) (Ball)     :-    149600 Rds     
•    7.62mm Tracer (T-46)    :-       9200 Rds
•    81mm SMK Grenades    : –         519Rds

China is expected provide maintenance and service facilities for fire control systems and night vision devices of three types of tanks (59D, 69II and 63) and Type 92 Armored personal carriers (APCs). These were procured from Chinese army, PLA in1990.

Accessories like driving simulator, gunnery simulator and war game simulator for these tanks are also likely to come from China at reduced rates.

COMMUNICATIONS – ARMY
The Directorate of Communications is seeking digital trunk radio systems (25 sets), radio relay communication sets (10 sets), and advance quality jammers (10 sets) besides parts for direction finders (10 sets) and V-Sat terminals (50 sets)

Reflecting its dependence on China, Myanmar army has projected spare parts for missiles and mechanical and electrical parts for submarine destroyers amongst its priority items under ‘military aid’ or at reduced rates.

1.    76mm OTO Melara –                           10 numbers
2.    Spares for C-80 1 A Missile                 57 items
3.    Spares for Missile director                   13 items
4.    Spares for Missile Complex                 20 items
5.    Spares for 352 Missile Attock Radar:   26 items
6.    Mechanical/Electrical parts for
7.    Eight Yan 037 Submarine destroyers:   12 items each
8.    Sonar H/SJD 303 (or) Thomson
         Sintra SS12                                 :     10 numbers
9.    037-Ig Engine & Electrical spares
            (12 VE 230 ZC Diesel Engine) :   354 items

 
In so far the Myanmar Navy is concerned it has also projected its requirements to China and hopes its wish list to be met in the Year 2010. Most of its requirements are said to be badly needed spares for 352 E missile attack radars ( six in all), 923 IG reconnaissance radar ( 20 items), missile simulator box ( ZI-914B)  – one item,  launching box ( 11 items) and 341 gun radar ( 56 items) besides diving suits, and NBC protective gear

Other items on Myanmar Navy’s shopping list are Hyperberic Chamber, Spiormeter, decontamination equipment and contamination level checking equipments.
 
 

Sharing:

Your comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *