Myanmar Directorate of Defence Industries

The Myanmar Directorate of Defence Industries (D.I.) (Burmese: ကာကွယ်ရေး ပစ္စည်းစက်ရုံများ ညွှန်ကြားရေးမှူးရုံး) is a part of the Tatmadaw. D.I. produces various types of military equipment throughout the country. It produced more than 70 products for the Myanmar Army, the Myanmar Navy and the Myanmar Air Force as of 2008. The main products include automatic rifles, machine guns, sub-machine guns, anti-aircraft guns, mortars and artillery ammunition, UAVs and anti-aircraft ammunition, tanks , armoured vehicles and anti-tank ammunition, bombs, grenades, anti-tank mines, anti-personnel mines such as the M14[1] pyrotechnics, commercial explosives and commercial products, and rockets and so forth.

Myanmar Directorate of Defence Industries
ကာကွယ်ရေးပစ္စည်းစက်ရုံများညွှန်ကြားရေးမှူးရုံး
Founded1950 (1950)
CountryMyanmar
TypeDefence product industries
Part of Tatmadaw

D.I. has produced new assault rifles and light machine-guns for the infantry. The MA series of weapons were designed to replace the old German-designed but locally manufactured BA-series rifles which are copy of Heckler & Koch G3s and G4s were equipped to the army since the 1960s.[2]

Factories

The major factories of the DI are as follows: [2]

  • Weapons Factories
  • Bombs & Grenades Factories
  • Tungsten Carbide Factory
  • Machine Gun Factory
  • Filling Factory
  • Propellants Factory
  • Heavy Artillery Ammo Factories
  • Small Arms Ammo Factories
  • brass mills
  • Tungsten Alloy Factory
  • Tank,armoured vehicles and their ammunition Factories
  • Explosives Factory
  • Artillery Ammo Factories
  • Ultility vehicle Factory

Heavy Industries

Myanmar Heavy Industries was established with Ukrainian assistance mainly to assemble a BTR-3U fleet of the Myanmar Army. A total of 1,000 BTR-3U wheeled APCs were to be assembled in Myanmar over a 10-year period from parts sent by Ukraine. The BTR-3U is fitted with a number of modern weapon systems including 30 mm gun, 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, 30 mm automatic grenade launcher and anti-tank guided weapons. HI has also built APC/IFV such as MAV 1, MAV 2, MAV-3, MAV-4 and BAAC series APCs. Little is known about MAV infantry fighting vehicles but it appears that only 60% of the components are produced locally while some vital components such as fire control systems, turrets, engines and transmissions are imported from China NORINCO industries. In addition to BTR 3Us, MAVs and BAACs, HI also produces a number of Mil-truk and jeeps for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.[2]

Products

The following list includes the defence products produced by the DI and its predecessors since 1952.

Tanks and armoured vehicles

[3][2][4][5][6][7][8]

Light tank with 105mm gun
  • BTR-3U (Assembling 180 units per year)
  • BTR-4E (Planned for assembling)
  • ML-LBSh
  • BAAC-73 IFV/APC (Produced between 1973 and 1989)
BAAC-83 armoured vehicle in early 1990s
  • BAAC-83 IFV]]APC (Produced between 1983 and 1989)
BAAC-84 armoured vehicle in early 1990s
  • BAAC-84 IFV/APC (Produced between 1984 and 1989)
BAAC-85 armoured vehicle in early 1990s
  • BAAC-85 IFV/APC (Produced between 1985 and 1989)
BAAC-86 armoured vehicle in early 1990s
  • BAAC-86 IFV/APC (Produced between 1986 and 1989)
BAAC-87 armoured vehicle in early 2000s
  • BAAC-87 IFV/APC (Produced between 1987 and 1989)
MAV-1 armoured vehicle in early 1990s
  • MAV-1 IFV (Produced between 1987 and 1993.)
MAV-2 MK-I armoured vehicle
  • MAV-2 IFV (Two variants: MAV-2 and MAV-2 MK-2. Produced between 1990 and 2000.)
MAV-3 armoured vehicle in early 1990s
  • MAV-3 IFV (Produced between 1990 and 2000.)
MAV-4 armoured vehicle in early 2000s
  • MAV-4 IFV (Produced between 1990 and 2000.)
  • ULARV-1 IFV (Three variants. Production started in the late 2000s)
  • ULARV-2 IFV (Production started in the late 2000s)
  • ULARV-3 IFV/APC (1 prototype)
Naung Yoe (Humvee version) IFV
  • Naung Yoe (Humvee version) IFV (Unveiled at the 61st Armed Force Day Parade, 2006)

Ultility Vehicles

[2]

Naung Yoe Jeep Version-2
Naung Yoe Jeep Version-3
Naung Yoe Jeep Version-4

Towed Artillery

[2]

  • 105 mm Howitzers (production started in 2006 with the help of Singaporean technicians)

Self-propelled Artillery

Multiple Launch Rocket Systems

[2][10][11][12][13]

MAM-01 MLRS (Early Version) of Myanmar Army
MAM-01B MLRS
Produing of MAM-01 MLRS
MAM-02 240mm MLRS in 2015

Mortars

[2]

  • 2-inch(50.8 mm) light mortar : Copy produced mortars based on British Two-inch mortar.Produced between 1950s and 1960s.Substituted with BA-series motars in 1990s.
  • 3-inch(81 mm) mortar : Copy produced mortars based on British ML 3-inch mortar.Produced between 1950s and 1960s.Substituted with BA-series motars in 1990s.
  • BA-90 81 mm mortar(400 units per year) : Production started in late 1980s.Now the production was stopped and the production was substituted with MA-8.
  • BA-97 (MA-6 MK-II) 120 mm mortar(50 units per year) : Production started in late 1980s. Produced as the BA-97 mortar to early 1990s. Name changed to MA-6 MK-II in the late 1990s. The only BA-series mortar still in production.
  • BA-100 60 mm commando mortar (400 units per year) : Production started in the late 1980s. No longer produced. Substituted with MA-9.
  • MA-6 120 mm extended range mortar (50 units per year) : Production started in the late 1990s.
  • MA-7 60 mm extended range mortar (400 units per year) : Production started in the late 1990s.
  • MA-8 81 mm extended range mortar (400 units per year) : Production started in the late 1990s.
  • MA-9 60 mm commando mortar(400 units per year) : Production started in the late 1990s.

Air Defence

[11]

MADV(Myanmar Air Defence Vehicle)
  • MADV : Self-propelled short range air defence system. Igla turrent with 4 SA-16 missiles and a 14.5 mm AA gun are fitted on Naung Yoe ultility vehicle. 180 units had been produced as of 2013.
  • KS-1M : Medium air defence system. Licensed production of HQ-12. Two GYD-1B surface-to-air missiles are fitted on the locally made Mil-truk. Production began in 2015 and one battery of KS-1M air defence system was unveiled at the 71st Armed Force Day Parade(2016).

Missiles

[11][14][15][16][2]

GYD-1B (KS-1M) missile production facility of Myanmar Army
  • GYD-1B (KS-1M) : Medium range surface-to-air missile. Based on the technology of HQ-12 missile. For locally made KS-1M medium range air defence systems. It is a little bit faster than KS-1A surface-to-air missile. The maximum range is between 50 and 75km.
  • Hwasong-5 : Short range tactical ballistic missile based on R-17 Elbras (Scud-B). In 2008, North Korea transferred Hwasong-5 (Scud-B) missile technology to Myanmar. In December 2006, South Korean press reported that Daewoo signed a deal with the Myanmar government in May 2002 to build an arms factory near Pyay, worth US$133.8 million. Some analysts believed that this deal included the supply of some parts for missile development in Myanmar. In 2014, China told UN monitors that North Korean-made ballistic missiles and missile-related alloy rods destined for Myanmar had been found on a ship docked in China.[17][18]

Small Arms

[19][2][20][21][22][23]

  • BA-52 : 9 mm machine gun. Produced with the Italian technical assistance.Design similar to TZ-45. Also known as Ne Win Sten. The first defence product of Myanmar Directorate of Defence Industries (D.D.I). Production started between 1952 and 1953. No longer in production, substituted with BA-94 (MA-13).
  • BA-63 : 7.62 mm battle rifle. Licensed production of Heckler & Koch G3. 63 refers to production started year, 1963.
  • BA-64 : 7.62 mm light machine gun. Licensed production of Heckler & Koch G3. 64 refers to production started year, 1964.
  • BA-72 : 7.62 mm assault rifle. Licensed production of Heckler & Koch G3. 72 refers to production started year, 1972.
  • BA-93 (Grenade launcher) : Rifle grenade launcher. 93 refers to production started year, 1993.
  • BA-93 (submachine gun) : 9 mm submachine gun. Licensed production of Uzi. Early version of BA-94 (MA-13) with wooden stock. 93 refers to production started year, 1993.
  • BA-94 (MA-13) : 9 mm submachine gun. Upgraded variant of BA-93 (machine gun). 94 refers to production started year,1994.Later,the name was changed as MA-13.
  • MA-1 MK-I : 5.56 mm assault rifle. Licensed production of IMI Galil.
  • MA-1 MK-II : Upgraded version of MA-1 MK-I with own design.
  • MA-1 MK-III : 5.56 mm assault bullpup rifle. Licensed production of QBZ-95/97.
  • MA-2 MK-I : 5.56 mm light machine gun. Licensed production of IMI Galil
  • MA-2 MK-II : Upgraded version of MA-2 MK-I with own design.
  • MA-2 MK-III : 5.56 mm bullpup light machine gun. Licensed production of QBZ-95/97.
  • MA-3 MK-I : 5.56 mm Submachine gun. Licensed production of IMI Galil
  • MA-3 MK-II : Upgraded version of MA-3 MK-I with own design.
  • MA-3 MK-III : 5.56 mm bullpup Submachine gun. Licensed production of QBZ-95/97.
  • MA-4 MK-I : 5.56 mm assault rifle with grenade launcher.Licensed production of IMI Galil.
  • MA-4 MK-II : Upgraded version of MA-4 MK-I with own design.
  • MA-4 MK-III : 5.56 mm assault bullpup rifle with grenade launcher. Licensed production of QBZ-95/97.
  • MA-5 MK-I : 9 mm Semi-automatic pistol. Copy of Browning Hi-Power.
  • MA-5 MK-II : 9 mm Semi-automatic pistol. Copy of Glock.
  • MA-11 5.56 mm assault rifle. Licensed production of Heckler & Koch HK33.
  • MA-12 : 5.56 mm light machine gun. Licensed production of Heckler & Koch HK33.
  • MA-13 MK-II : 9 mm submachine gun. Copy of Steyr TMP.
  • MA-15 : 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun.Licensed production of MG3 machine gun
  • MA-16 : .50-inch heavy machine gun. Licensed production of STK 50MG.
  • MAS-1 MK-I : 7.62 mm Designated marksman rifle. Production started in 2010. Copy of Zastava M76.
  • MAS-1 MK-II : 7.62 mm Designated marksman rifle. Production started in 2012. Copy of Zastava M91.
  • MAS-2 : .50inch Anti-materiel sniper rifle.
MAS-2 Anti-materiel sniper rifle

Anti-aircraft guns
Self-propelled 25mm anti-aircraft guns of the Myanmar Army

[2][11]

  • MAA-01 : 35 mm AA guns. Production of Oerlikon GDF with the chinese technology assistance.
  • 25 mm self-propelled twin anti-aircraft guns : Two locally made 25 mm AA guns which are fitted on the locally made Mil-truk.
  • 14.5 mm QJG-02G AA guns : Licensed production. 50 units per year.
  • 12.7 mm heavy machine guns (200 units per year)
  • Various kinds of Remote controlled weapon stations for ULARV-series armoured vehicles.
  • Type-91 14.5 mm quad AA guns (only for the navy)
  • 14.5 mm DI Remote controlled weapon stations. (only for the navy)

Anti-tank weapons

[2]

Land mines

[1][2][24][25]

Ammunitions and Bombs

[2]

  • small arms ammunition (60 million units per year)
  • MG-1 hand grenades
  • MG-2 40 mm rifle grenades (HEDP) for MA-4 MK-I,II,III rifles.
  • MG-3 40 mm launcher grenades (HE).
  • MG-4 40 mm launcher grenades (HEDP).
  • AZDM 111 A 1/2 Fuze.
  • MR-1 73 mm Anti-personnel rocket propelled grenades (HE) for MA-10.
  • MR-2 75 mm Anti-personnel rocket propelled grenades (HE) for MA-10.
  • 122 mm and 240 mm rockets for MAM-01 and MAM-02.
  • 120/81/60 mm mortar bombs for BA-series and MA-series mortars.
  • 155/130/122/105/76 mm ammunition for towed guns.
  • 57/77/122 mm rockets and up to 500 kg dumb bombs for the air force.
  • 14.5/12.7/25/37/40/57/76 mm ammunition for the navy.

Others
  • Various kinds of scope for rifles and sniper rifles.
  • Telescopic sights for MA-10.
  • DI fire trucks(one of the variants of Mil-truk).
  • DI water/fuel tanker trucks(one of the variants of Mil-truk).

References
  1. "Asia Times Online :: Southeast Asia news - Myanmar, the world's landmine capital". Atimes.com. 4 November 2006. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  2. Maung, Aung Myoe (2009). Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948. ISBN 978-981-230-848-1.
  3. "Myanmar army has developed new 105mm light tank based on 2S1 chassis". Army Recognition.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2007.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. JOSEPH ALLCHIN. "Ukraine 'ceases' arms sales to Burma(Myanmar)".
  6. "Myanmar to manufacture locally Ukrainian-made BTR-3U 8x8 armoured vehicle personnel carrier". Army Reconition.
  7. MilitaryFactory. "BTR-3 APC".
  8. "Joint venture to supply Ukrainian APCs to Myanmar army". Army Recognition.
  9. MilitaryFactory. "BTR-3 APC".
  10. Selth, Andrew (2016). "Strong,Fully Efficience And Modern: Myanmar's New Look Armed Forces" (PDF). Regional Outlook Paper. Griffith Asia Institute. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  11. "SIPRI Trade Register". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
  12. "M1985/M1991 MLRS". Missile Threat. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  13. Lintner, Bertil (8 February 2018). "North Korea, Myanmar in a sanctions-busting embrace". Asia Times. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  14. Tagaung(Full Number). "KS-1M medium range air defence system".
  15. Murdoch, Lindsay (6 February 2018). "Fears Myanmar buying missiles from North Korea raise Canberra's alarm". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020.
  16. Board (ASEAN Economist), Editorial (7 February 2018). "Myanmar 'buying' N Korean arms". Archived from the original on 20 October 2020.
  17. Murdoch, Lindsay (6 February 2018). "Fears Myanmar buying missiles from North Korea raise Canberra's alarm". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020.
  18. Board (ASEAN Economist), Editorial (7 February 2018). "Myanmar 'buying' N Korean arms". Archived from the original on 20 October 2020.
  19. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35th edition (27 January 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  20. "STK 50MG Heavy Machine Gun | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com.
  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. Small Arms Survey (11 November 2020). "Seeking Supplies: Developments of Small Arms Production and Industry in Myanmar". Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  24. "KHRG Photo Gallery 2008 | Landmines, mortars, army camps and soldiers". Karen Human Rights Group. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  25. Free Burma Rangers Report: "Pictures of oppression: attacks, displacement and oppression in Karen and Karenni States - Karen State, Burma, 19 January, 2009" Archived 2009-02-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on March 23, 2009
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