Report: Myanmar Military Has Imported $1B in Weapons Since Takeover

Facts

• On Wednesday, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, released a report stating that Myanmar's military has imported arms worth at least $1B since assuming the country's leadership in February 2021.¹
• The study identified 254 unique suppliers of weapons and dual-use raw materials to the military, which was listed as the ultimate receiver in 94% of the transactions, and warned that international sanctions are being 'easily circumvented.'²
• Russia and China have reportedly been the main suppliers of advanced weaponry, accounting for over $400M and $260M, respectively, while Singapore-based entities have exported $254M to Myanmar despite prohibitions put in place by its government.³
• Over half of the imports originating from Russia allegedly came from state-owned Rosoboronexport arms exporter, which transferred Su-30 fighter jets, supplies for MiG-29 jets, and rocket-launch systems. India and Thailand were also involved in transfers to Myanmar's military, according to the report.⁴
• The paper drew on open sources and confidential information, with authors noting that the data is known to be incomplete and is very likely to underreport the full amounts supplied.⁵
• Andrews further claimed that some of these items were used by the military junta in a deadly airstrike against an armed resistance stronghold in the Sagaing region, urging a complete ban on the sale and transfer of weapons to Myanmar.⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²CNN, ³Ohchr, ⁴The sydney morning herald, ⁵Myanmar now and ⁶The irrawaddy.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Global times. This ill-founded report is just the latest Western attempt to smear its geopolitical rivals, blaming them for internal problems in Myanmar. Given that many countries and private companies have stable and long-term military cooperation with Myanmar, it's not shocking that weapons and other materials have continuously been transferred after the military took over the country.
• Narrative B, as provided by Guardian. While it's not even a novelty that Myanmar's military junta — backed and emboldened by China and Russia since the 2021 coup — has been exterminating civilians as it carries out indiscriminate air strikes to crush the opposition, this report reasserts the need for the international community to adopt a similar approach to the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.