By 1985, only about 50 percent of the Burmese air force’s aircraft could fly.
Following the political upheaval of 1988, and subsequent to international embargoes on arms sales to Burma from the West, the newly installed ruling junta negotiated with countries such as China and Russia to bolster their air defenses. In the early 1990s, the junta purchased aircraft from Eastern Europe.
Clashes with Thailand in the border regions between the two countries in 2001 revealed the disparity between Burma’s pilots and those of the Royal Thai Air Force. Observers noted that while the Thai forces struck their targets regularly, the Burmese side showed a startling lack of skill.
To eliminate the disparity, Burma acquired from Russia 10 MiG-29 fighters and two dual-seat trainers—reportedly at a cost of US $130 million, of which half was to be paid up front, and the balance remitted over the next 10 years.
Spurred in part by Thailand’s increasingly sophisticated air power, Burma’s ruling generals will undoubtedly continue to seek ways to improve their air force. Increasingly close ties with India, and steady support from China, suggest that the military government will have few problems acquiring more sophisticated weapons and training in the coming years. — Yeni
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The Navy
Burma’s coastline runs 1,200 miles, and its maritime interests cover an area of some 57,400 square miles—a region that comprises one of Asia’s key resources for oil and natural gas. Given its importance, it is perhaps surprising that Burma’s naval forces have lacked the equipment, manpower and training necessary to insure a ready defense of coastal borders.
Recent developments, however, suggest that the government is taking steps to improve the quality of its naval fleet to protect its offshore gas and oil sectors, and fishing rights.
Historically, the Burmese navy has played only a minor role in the defense of the country’s national interests. Navy boats patrol rivers and inland waterways in support of the army’s counterinsurgency campaigns, and they perform limited surveillance of coastal regions.
Compared to neighboring countries such as Thailand and India, the Burmese navy is thought to have limited operational capabilities—prompting fishing fleets from countries of the region to exploit Burma’s rich fishing grounds.
Before 1988, the navy’s fleet consisted of about 100 vessels, acquired mostly from the US and Britain, and most of which were second-hand and nearly a half-century old.
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