Myanmar Army the Largest User of Chinese Weapons in Southeast Asia

29 September 2020

Myanmar Army's MBT (all photos : Kien Thuc)

Due to the prolonged embargo from the US and the West, "weapons made in China" appear and occupy a large number in the Myanmar Army's army, air force and navy. 

Due to the prolonged embargo from the US and the West, for many years Myanmar mainly bought Chinese weapons. Therefore, it is not surprising that this country is considered to be the largest user of Chinese weapons in Southeast Asia. " Weapons made in China " appeared in large numbers in the army, air force and navy.

Playing an important role in the tank force of the Myanmar Army, mostly produced by China, including types such as: Type 69-II (80 units); Type 59D (160 pcs); Type 80 (200 pcs); Type 62 (105 pcs); Type 63 (50 pcs).

Pictured is the Type 59D combat tank unit of the Myanmar Army. This tank was manufactured by China using the T-54/55 technology of the Soviet Union and has undergone modernization, replacing main cannon and equipped with explosive reactive armor.

Some sources also said that Myanmar is on the service of the MBT-2000 advanced battle tank line produced by China in cooperation with Pakistan

In the photo is a Chinese-made Type 63 light tank equipped for the Myanmar Army to fire. This tank is Chinese copying technology from the Soviet Union PT-76 with the main change is to use the 85mm gun instead of the 76.2mm.

Armored vehicle forces fighting - carrying Myanmar troops do not use much "Chinese good ". But it also accounts for a few hundred units mainly of two types: Type 90 and Type 85 armored combat vehicles.

The Myanmar artillery force also uses many Chinese artillery with the number of hundreds of guns (jet artillery, self-propelled artillery, tow cannons). Pictured is the Type 81 series launch jet artillery produced by China during the Myanmar Army's live-fire drills.

SH-1 155mm self-propelled artillery (Chinese-made) appeared in the parade of the Myanmar Army.

Self-propelled artillery tank PTL-02 (Chinese production) in the parade of the Myanmar Army. PTL-02 uses a 100mm caliber cannon integrated with the ability to fire anti-tank missiles through the barrel.

Although they are small in number, Chinese-made fighters all play an important role in the Myanmar Air Force. Pictured is an F-7M Airguard interceptor produced by Chengdu Aviation Corporation. This is considered one of the two main interceptors of Myanmar, with the number of about 25 aircraft.

Myanmar Air Force A-5C main strike aircraft manufactured by Nanchang (China) company. The A-5C is capable of carrying 2 tons of weapons on 10 brackets, including air-to-air missiles, bombs and rockets.

In addition to the A-5C, Myanmar also has 12 K-8 light attack/attack training aircraft manufactured by Hong Du Group.

The Myanmar Air Transport Air Force also has the presence of four Y-8 medium transport aircraft manufactured by Shanxi Aviation Company (China). Y-8 is capable of carrying 90 paratroopers or 20 tons of cargo.

In terms of naval forces, Myanmar recently acquired from China two Jiang Ho class frigates. That is not to mention, most of the country's warships use Chinese-made anti-ship missile and artillery systems.

(Kien Thuc)