China pushes Pakistan as proxy to arm Myanmar junta
With coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing making regular visits to Russia with a shopping list for jet fighters_ helicopters and missiles_ China is concerned that it will lose Myanmar as a customer for its weapons but cannot directly sell arms to Myanmar due to fear of sanctions_ said people aware of the matter.
While the Myanmar junta maintains close ties with China_ the military has been keen to expand its outreach and is cultivating Russia. Soviet Union and later Russia has been one of key exporters of defence items to Myanmar and the current regime is focusing to expand that partnership.
Egged on by China_ Pakistan is also reportedly considering selling heavy machine guns_ 60 and 81mm mortars and M-79 grenade launchers to Myanmar.
earlier Pakistan was helping Myanmar to maintain JF-17 fighters and planning to export missiles. Myanmar military has been seeking to expand its ties with Pakistan and is eyeing purchase of air-to-surface missiles from Pakistan for its JF-17 fighter aircraft.
A few years ago_ the Myanmar military had bought 16 JF-17 Thunder multi-role aircraft from Pakistan for 560 million dollar. The aircraft is co-developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China's Chengdu Aerospace Corporation.
Pakistan was formerly a strong critic of the Myanmar government for what it alleged was a 'state-sponsored campaign' against Rohingyas in western Myanmar's Rakhine State. Myanmar_ on its part_ had accused Pakistan in the past of arming and training the radical Rohingya group_ the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army.
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