In recent years,
Burma has acquired more sophisticated hardware and training from
China,
Pakistan,
Russia and
Yugoslavia—the US and EU have clamped embargoes on
Burma.
In the last 12 years, Burma has nearly doubled the size of its naval fleet, according to Andrew Selth, whose book Burma’s Armed Forces: Power without Glory documents Burma’s recent military expansion.
In 2001, with assistance from Chinese naval engineers, a new radar station was built on St Luke’s Island in southern Burma, opposite Thailand’s Ranong province. This busy seaway is renowned as an avenue for smugglers and illegal fishing fleets, and there have been several reports of clashes between Burmese and Thai naval vessels over fishing in the area.
The expansion of the Burmese navy has drawn the attention of the international community. Some analysts suggest that the Burmese coastline could in future be used as a base for China’s growing nuclear submarine fleet, given the close military ties between the two.
Perhaps concerned over China’s growing influence in Burma, India has made efforts recently to increase strategic relations with the junta. In January, Burma was invited to attend a multi-nation joint naval exercise hosted by India. Indian press reports also stated that Delhi has tentatively agreed to sell second-hand British-made BN-2 Islander maritime aircraft to the junta—a development that has drawn protests from the British government. The junta has also agreed to a memorandum of understanding with India to upgrade the country’s naval technology and increase ship-building projects within Burma. Indian Vice Admiral Arun Pradesh visited Rangoon last January, reportedly to discuss using Indian technology to upgrade Burma’s navy.
The Burmese navy—like the air force—has some credibility among Burma’s civilian population. During the 1988 democracy uprising, many naval officers joined in the student-led movement. Army and intelligence units have since kept a watchful eye on their sea-going comrades.
With the introduction of new vessels and hardware, the Burmese navy has recently faced a steep learning curve to keep the new fleet operational. In 2000, the head of the Burmese navy was dismissed from office, reportedly because the Chinese-made ships under his command performed poorly at a naval exercise attended by visiting Chinese military observers. Many naval officers were believed to have resigned their posts in support of their commanding officer.
Many military analysts suggest that the role of the Burmese navy within the country’s Tatmadaw (armed forces) will expand and diversify in coming years, particularly with regard to protecting the country’s vast coastal oil and gas fields.
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