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How Strong Is Myanmar's Military?
- Thread starter Su-34
- Start date
Here's another good article on Burmese military purchases from China and Israel, with actual numbers on AAM's too:
In August 1997 it was revealed that the Israeli defence
manufacturing company Elbit had won a contract to upgrade Myanmar's
(then) three squadrons of Chinese-built F-7 fighters and FT-7
trainers. The F-7 is a derivative of the Mikoyan MiG-21 'Fishbed'
jet fighter. The FT-7 is the export version of the GAIC JJ-7, itself
a copy of the MiG-21 'Mongol-B' trainer. Since they began to be
delivered by China in 1991, the Myanmar Air Force has progressively
acquired about 54 (or four squadrons) of these aircraft, the latest
arriving at Hmawbi air base only last year. In related sales, the
air force has also acquired about 350 PL-2A air-to-air missiles
(AAM) from China and at least one shipment of the more sophisticated
PL-5 AAMs.
Since their delivery to Myanmar, these new aircraft have caused the
air force considerable problems. Several aircraft (and pilots) have
already been lost through accidents, raising questions about the
reliability of the Chinese technology. There have also been reliable
reports that the F-7s were delivered without the computer software
to permit the AAMs to be fired in flight. Also, the air force has
complained that the F-7s are difficult to maintain, in part
reflecting major differences between the structure and underlying
philosophy of the Myanmar and Chinese logistics systems. Spare parts
have been in very short supply. In addition, the air force seems to
have experienced difficulties in using the F-7 (designed primarily
for air defence) in a ground attack role. These, and other problems,
seem to have prompted the air force to turn to Israel for
assistance.
According to sources in the international arms market, 36 of
Myanmar's F-7 fighters are to be retro-fitted with the Elta EL/M-
2032 air-to-air radar, Rafael Python 3 infrared, short range AAMs,
and Litening laser designator pods. The same equipment will also be
installed on the two-seater FT-7 fighter trainers. In a related
deal, Israel will also sell Myanmar at least one consignment of
laser-guided bombs. Since the Elbit contract was won in 1997, the
air force has acquired at least one more squadron of F-7 and FT-7
aircraft from China, but it is not known whether the Israeli-backed
upgrade programme will now be extended to include the additional
aircraft. Myanmar's critical shortage of foreign exchange will be a
major factor in the SPDC's decision.
The army has also benefited from Myanmar's new closeness to Israel.
As part of the regime's massive military modernisation and expansion
programme, considerable effort has been put into upgrading the
army's artillery capabilities. In keeping with its practice of never
abandoning any equipment of value, the army clearly still aims, as
far as possible, to keep older weapons operational. (Pakistan, for
example, has recently provided Myanmar with ammunition for its
vintage 25 pounder field guns). The older UK, US and Yugoslav guns
in the Tatmadaw's inventory have been supplemented over the past 10
years with a range of new towed and self-propelled artillery pieces.
Purchased mainly from China, they include 122mm howitzers, anti-tank
guns, 57mm Type 80 anti-aircraft guns, 37mm Type 74 anti-aircraft
guns and 107mm Type 63 multiple rocket launchers. In a barter deal
brokered by China last year, the SPDC has also managed to acquire
about 16 130mm artillery pieces from North Korea. Despite all this
new firepower, however, the army has still looked to Israel to help
equip its new artillery battalions.
Around 1998 Myanmar negotiated the purchase of 16 155mm Soltam towed
howitzers, possibly through a third party like Singapore. These guns
are believed to be second-hand pieces no longer required by the
Israel Defence Force. Last year, ammunition for these guns
(including high explosive and white phosphorous rounds) was ordered
from Pakistan's government ordnance factories. Before the purchase
of these new Chinese and North Korean weapons, Myanmar's largest
artillery pieces were 105mm medium guns, provided by the USA almost
40 years ago. Acquiring the Israeli weapons thus marks a major
capability leap for Myanmar's army gunners. It is possible that
either Israel or Pakistan has provided instructors to help the army
learn to use and maintain these new weapons.
Nor has the Myanmar Navy missed out on Israeli assistance. There
have been several reports that Israel is playing a crucial role in
the construction and fitting out of three new warships, currently
being built in Yangon.
Myanmar's military leaders have long wanted to acquire two or three
frigates to replace the country's obsolete PCE-827 and Admirable-
class corvettes, decommissioned in 1994, and its two 1960s-vintage
Nawarat-class corvettes, which have been gradually phased out since
1989. As military ties with China rapidly grew during the 1990s, the
SLORC hoped to buy two or three Jiangnan- or even Jianghu-class
frigates, but it could not afford even the special 'friendship'
prices being asked by Beijing. As a compromise, the SPDC has now
purchased three Chinese hulls, and is currently fitting them out as
corvettes in Yangon's Sinmalaik shipyard.
According to reliable reports, the three vessels will each be about
75m long and displace about 1,200 tons. Despite a European Community
embargo against arms sales to Myanmar, the ships' main guns are
being imported (apparently through a third party) from Italy. Based
on the information currently available, they are likely to be 76mm
OTO Melara Compact guns, weapons which (perhaps coincidentally) have
been extensively combat-tested by the Israeli Navy on its Reshef-
class fast attack missile patrol boats. The corvettes will probably
also be fitted with anti-submarine weapons, but it is not known
what, if any, surface-to-surface and SAMs the ships will carry.
Israel's main role in fitting out the three corvettes is apparently
to provide their electronics suites. Details of the full contract
are not known, but it is expected that each package will include at
least a surface-search radar, a fire-control radar, a navigation
radar and a hull-mounted sonar.
The first of these warships will probably be commissioned and
commence sea trials later this year.
================================
As for the MiG-29 7 Tor-M1 (SA-15?) purchase, Burma had already purchased 10 surplus MiG-29's from Russia with Israeli upgrades previously. With a limtied buget and source for fighter aircraft, the MiG-29 is probably the most cost-effective modern fighter for them right now.
I suspect the Burmese AF was unhappy with J-7's from China, because these were early export variants with old radar and missiles. The article mentioned "350 PL-2A" plus one shipment of PL-5's. I suspect the PL-5 is prolly PL-5B, which is improved PL-2/AA-2. This means the aircraft did not have all-aspect attack capability, until the Israeli upgrades.
Burma is also lacking in modern SAM systems, which the Tor-M1 will remedy. Here's a good article on the system:
This system doesn't have the range of the S-300, but it'd do for point-defense of critical locations (i.e. Capital city?).
In August 1997 it was revealed that the Israeli defence
manufacturing company Elbit had won a contract to upgrade Myanmar's
(then) three squadrons of Chinese-built F-7 fighters and FT-7
trainers. The F-7 is a derivative of the Mikoyan MiG-21 'Fishbed'
jet fighter. The FT-7 is the export version of the GAIC JJ-7, itself
a copy of the MiG-21 'Mongol-B' trainer. Since they began to be
delivered by China in 1991, the Myanmar Air Force has progressively
acquired about 54 (or four squadrons) of these aircraft, the latest
arriving at Hmawbi air base only last year. In related sales, the
air force has also acquired about 350 PL-2A air-to-air missiles
(AAM) from China and at least one shipment of the more sophisticated
PL-5 AAMs.
Since their delivery to Myanmar, these new aircraft have caused the
air force considerable problems. Several aircraft (and pilots) have
already been lost through accidents, raising questions about the
reliability of the Chinese technology. There have also been reliable
reports that the F-7s were delivered without the computer software
to permit the AAMs to be fired in flight. Also, the air force has
complained that the F-7s are difficult to maintain, in part
reflecting major differences between the structure and underlying
philosophy of the Myanmar and Chinese logistics systems. Spare parts
have been in very short supply. In addition, the air force seems to
have experienced difficulties in using the F-7 (designed primarily
for air defence) in a ground attack role. These, and other problems,
seem to have prompted the air force to turn to Israel for
assistance.
According to sources in the international arms market, 36 of
Myanmar's F-7 fighters are to be retro-fitted with the Elta EL/M-
2032 air-to-air radar, Rafael Python 3 infrared, short range AAMs,
and Litening laser designator pods. The same equipment will also be
installed on the two-seater FT-7 fighter trainers. In a related
deal, Israel will also sell Myanmar at least one consignment of
laser-guided bombs. Since the Elbit contract was won in 1997, the
air force has acquired at least one more squadron of F-7 and FT-7
aircraft from China, but it is not known whether the Israeli-backed
upgrade programme will now be extended to include the additional
aircraft. Myanmar's critical shortage of foreign exchange will be a
major factor in the SPDC's decision.
The army has also benefited from Myanmar's new closeness to Israel.
As part of the regime's massive military modernisation and expansion
programme, considerable effort has been put into upgrading the
army's artillery capabilities. In keeping with its practice of never
abandoning any equipment of value, the army clearly still aims, as
far as possible, to keep older weapons operational. (Pakistan, for
example, has recently provided Myanmar with ammunition for its
vintage 25 pounder field guns). The older UK, US and Yugoslav guns
in the Tatmadaw's inventory have been supplemented over the past 10
years with a range of new towed and self-propelled artillery pieces.
Purchased mainly from China, they include 122mm howitzers, anti-tank
guns, 57mm Type 80 anti-aircraft guns, 37mm Type 74 anti-aircraft
guns and 107mm Type 63 multiple rocket launchers. In a barter deal
brokered by China last year, the SPDC has also managed to acquire
about 16 130mm artillery pieces from North Korea. Despite all this
new firepower, however, the army has still looked to Israel to help
equip its new artillery battalions.
Around 1998 Myanmar negotiated the purchase of 16 155mm Soltam towed
howitzers, possibly through a third party like Singapore. These guns
are believed to be second-hand pieces no longer required by the
Israel Defence Force. Last year, ammunition for these guns
(including high explosive and white phosphorous rounds) was ordered
from Pakistan's government ordnance factories. Before the purchase
of these new Chinese and North Korean weapons, Myanmar's largest
artillery pieces were 105mm medium guns, provided by the USA almost
40 years ago. Acquiring the Israeli weapons thus marks a major
capability leap for Myanmar's army gunners. It is possible that
either Israel or Pakistan has provided instructors to help the army
learn to use and maintain these new weapons.
Nor has the Myanmar Navy missed out on Israeli assistance. There
have been several reports that Israel is playing a crucial role in
the construction and fitting out of three new warships, currently
being built in Yangon.
Myanmar's military leaders have long wanted to acquire two or three
frigates to replace the country's obsolete PCE-827 and Admirable-
class corvettes, decommissioned in 1994, and its two 1960s-vintage
Nawarat-class corvettes, which have been gradually phased out since
1989. As military ties with China rapidly grew during the 1990s, the
SLORC hoped to buy two or three Jiangnan- or even Jianghu-class
frigates, but it could not afford even the special 'friendship'
prices being asked by Beijing. As a compromise, the SPDC has now
purchased three Chinese hulls, and is currently fitting them out as
corvettes in Yangon's Sinmalaik shipyard.
According to reliable reports, the three vessels will each be about
75m long and displace about 1,200 tons. Despite a European Community
embargo against arms sales to Myanmar, the ships' main guns are
being imported (apparently through a third party) from Italy. Based
on the information currently available, they are likely to be 76mm
OTO Melara Compact guns, weapons which (perhaps coincidentally) have
been extensively combat-tested by the Israeli Navy on its Reshef-
class fast attack missile patrol boats. The corvettes will probably
also be fitted with anti-submarine weapons, but it is not known
what, if any, surface-to-surface and SAMs the ships will carry.
Israel's main role in fitting out the three corvettes is apparently
to provide their electronics suites. Details of the full contract
are not known, but it is expected that each package will include at
least a surface-search radar, a fire-control radar, a navigation
radar and a hull-mounted sonar.
The first of these warships will probably be commissioned and
commence sea trials later this year.
================================
As for the MiG-29 7 Tor-M1 (SA-15?) purchase, Burma had already purchased 10 surplus MiG-29's from Russia with Israeli upgrades previously. With a limtied buget and source for fighter aircraft, the MiG-29 is probably the most cost-effective modern fighter for them right now.
I suspect the Burmese AF was unhappy with J-7's from China, because these were early export variants with old radar and missiles. The article mentioned "350 PL-2A" plus one shipment of PL-5's. I suspect the PL-5 is prolly PL-5B, which is improved PL-2/AA-2. This means the aircraft did not have all-aspect attack capability, until the Israeli upgrades.
Burma is also lacking in modern SAM systems, which the Tor-M1 will remedy. Here's a good article on the system:
This system doesn't have the range of the S-300, but it'd do for point-defense of critical locations (i.e. Capital city?).
They are getting stronger! I think they will slowly replace Chinese arms with Russian & Indian ones. They will try to be more self reliant.
Army - 50 T-72S MBTs, Ordered 1000 BTR-3U APCs from Ukraine. Purchased unknown qualtity of Nora SP Howitzers from Slovakia. Chinese tanks are old models. Myanmar army is one of the best in the region when it comes to Jungle fighting - from many years of fighting rebels.
Navy - Currently builing stealth frigates using Italian guns, Israel technology & chinese missiles. They might get some missile boats/corvettes from Russia/India. Ships purchased from china are not in very good conditions. Navy will be upgraded to give more protection to costal oil and gas revenues.
Air Force - More Mig-29s should ordered along with pilot training in Russia and India. I think they are negotiating for more Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters. I think they are getting annoyed with the poor quality of Chinease F-7s and A-5s. Chinese did not provide Myanmar with proper fighter pilot training, important equipment in the Migs including AAM firing software etc. That was why Myanmar went to Israel for upgrade. Besides F-7 won't be able to compete with Thai F-16s.
Myanmar currently has outdated air defence equipment. Chinese weapons supplied to Myanmar are older versions but I think the new Russian medium and short range SAMs (as stated in above messages) should take them to the next level. If current Mig-29s are upgraded to SMT-2 standard with BVR missiles, Myanmar would be able to match Thai Air Force (which was not the case in 2001).
Army - 50 T-72S MBTs, Ordered 1000 BTR-3U APCs from Ukraine. Purchased unknown qualtity of Nora SP Howitzers from Slovakia. Chinese tanks are old models. Myanmar army is one of the best in the region when it comes to Jungle fighting - from many years of fighting rebels.
Navy - Currently builing stealth frigates using Italian guns, Israel technology & chinese missiles. They might get some missile boats/corvettes from Russia/India. Ships purchased from china are not in very good conditions. Navy will be upgraded to give more protection to costal oil and gas revenues.
Air Force - More Mig-29s should ordered along with pilot training in Russia and India. I think they are negotiating for more Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters. I think they are getting annoyed with the poor quality of Chinease F-7s and A-5s. Chinese did not provide Myanmar with proper fighter pilot training, important equipment in the Migs including AAM firing software etc. That was why Myanmar went to Israel for upgrade. Besides F-7 won't be able to compete with Thai F-16s.
Myanmar currently has outdated air defence equipment. Chinese weapons supplied to Myanmar are older versions but I think the new Russian medium and short range SAMs (as stated in above messages) should take them to the next level. If current Mig-29s are upgraded to SMT-2 standard with BVR missiles, Myanmar would be able to match Thai Air Force (which was not the case in 2001).
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