Burma Buying Indian Military Helicopter

(Made with components from Europe)

Is Burma Attempting to Break the Sanction?

_ By Ko Sala

Indian Advance Light Helicopter on exercise

The human rights activist, the international peace campaigners and the democracy activists or the international transparency government campaigners have a cause to worry about the alleged negotiation between Indian government and the Burmese Military junta for the sales of the Advance Light Helicopter (ALH).  The multi purpose military aircraft assembled by the Hindustan Aeronautics is built with parts and technology from Europe.

The report published by the Saferworld, the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) and the Amnesty International (AI) claims that the negations are underway between two governments to transfer the ALH.  The advocates on anti-economic sanction on military junta were quick to respond the efficacy of sanction.  In other words, is it worthwhile imposing economic sanction and arm’s embargo on the military junta which continues to built it’s armaments with the Western technology despite of a ban. 

The AI has never supported the economic sanction on Burmese junta for some technical reasons but the alleged sales of weapon must be a serious threat to humanity in Burma for it to endorse or sponsor the report.  The spokesperson from the Saferworld claims that their organisation merely made policy recommendations to the EU politicians.  The Indian Ministry of External Affairs denies the allegations through the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).  According to the sources close to the European NGOs, a secret meeting is underway between European parliamentarians and the Indian government to stop the alleged sales of ALH.        

The Saferworld’s and AI’s report does not put a price tag on ALH but the market rate for ALH is around $ 9 million/aircraft.  Does Burma need ALH?  Why is the junta allegedly trying to acquire expensive weaponry whereas it could buy alternatively from former east European countries or China at a cheaper price?  What is the ulterior motive of the military junta behind the alleged acquisition of ALH?  It certainly makes me tick with these questions.  The junta clearly seems to be less involved in buying weaponry from China after General Khin Nyunt and his intelligence gangs were booted out from power.

For a rationale patriotic Burmese, it is paramount that Burma is equipped itself with modern weaponry for national security.  The UN advocates that it’s members states are entitled to arm itself for national security.  The boys and so many girls in the Burma’s Air Force deserve the modern air craft to defend the country.  The ALH is built for multi-purpose usage depending on the need.  Without giving a marketing plug in to the Hindustan Aeronautics, the ALH is reported to have a higher degree of survivability under varied weather conditions and higher ballistic resistance.  It can also be tailor made for more specific use such as rescue operation, ambulance, police surveillance, escort carrier and other civilian use.

It is worth a buy as compared to choppers from the former east European states or China per se if Burma can afford it.  For a responsible nation, the priority should be a better health care, education and opportunities for everyone to earn decent living.  The junta is clearly shying away from such responsibilities by pointing fingers at the economic sanctions by the US for it’s failures.  The anti-sanction camps outside Burma also support such an incompetent argument.  It is virtually an impossible task for international NGOs to provide health care and education in a country like Burma where a significant number of people live in poverty.

The alleged interest of military junta in acquiring military helicopter built with Western component despite of arms embargo from the West signifies that the junta is attempting to break the sanction.  It means that the sanction is effectively embarrassing the junta in the international arena and it set to make a mockery out EU’s arm’s embargo at all cost.