To protect the safety of those that have supplied information, the following list will not identify the factory at which the particular item is/has been used nor, where deemed too risky, the source of the information. As necessary, this type of information and other evidence-related materials will be made available on a case-by-case basis upon request by legitimate parties (such as judicial bodies, State authorities, civil society organisations and media) for appropriate purposes.
Licensed Production and Transfers of Technology
| Company | Home state | Item | Additional information | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST Engineering Land Systems Ltd. (STELS) doing business as ST Kinetics (formerly Charted Industries of Singapore) | Singapore | Licence and ToT for STK 50MG belt-fed heavy machine gun, produced in Myanmar as the MA-16. Transfer of a prefabricated factory, built in Singapore by Charted Industries of Singapore, to Yangon for small arms manufacturing. | Reportedly, there appears to have been substantial supervision by Israeli engineers for the manufacturing of the prefabricated factory in Singapore. | Vining, M., “Seeking supplies: developmentsof small arms production and industry in Myanmar,” Small Arms Survey, 4 August 2020. |
| Israel Military Industries Ltd., IMI | Israel | ToT, including through support from Israeli IMI engineers in the 1990’s for the manufacturing of Uzi submachine guns and establishing the local manufacture in Myanmar of copies of the IMI Galil family (automatic rifles chambered for the 5.56×45 mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges). | N/A | Vining, M., “Seeking supplies: developmentsof small arms production and industry in Myanmar,” Small Arms Survey, 4 August 2020. |
| POSCO International Corporation (formerly Daewoo) | South Korea | ToT, including blueprints and machinery to manufacture artillery shells, including 120 mm artillery shells and 105 mm howitzer high-explosive shells; support for the DDI to establish factory to manufacture surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles and rocket launchers, with parts and other materials for this factory coming from South Korea. | Reportedly the transfer of know-how and technology was done in exchange for valuable commercial contracts in the gas sector. The transfers were done between 2002 and 2006. Fourteen Korean executives, including six from Daewoo, were ultimately convicted in trial court, appellate court, and then again at the Supreme Court in South Korea on charges of conspiracy and failure to obtain government approval for exporting “strategic materials” to the DDI in Myanmar. | Violet Cho, ‘Daewoo officials, others on trial for exporting arms to Burma.’ The Irrawaddy, 13 November 2007 |
| China Jiangnan Space Industry Co./ China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation | China | License and ToT for HQ12 (KS-1M in Myanmar) surface-to- air-missiles. | Production reportedly began in mid-2010s. Image of presentation by representative of China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation to the DDI indicates that discussions for a ToT began in 2010 and concluded with local manufacture of a limited number of KS-1Ms in Myanmar in 2016. In 2017, a reportedly locally manufactured KS-1MB was showcased at the Myanmar military’s Armed Force Day Parade. | ‘Myawaddy news finally disclosed how Myanmar Get ToT of KS 1B Missiles from China.’ Defence Studies Blog, 30 October 2019. |
| China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) | China | CH-4 UAV | The CH-4 can carry AR-1 missiles, capable of hitting soldiers, tanks and small boats within 1.5 meters of the target. | Diamond, C, 28 March 2017, ‘China to Open Drone Factory,’ Defence News. |
| China North Industries Group (NORINCO) | China | Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns | QJG-02G 14.4 mm AA gun. The Myanmar agent for NORINCO is said to be the chairman of Myanmar company Mottama Holdings Limited, U Yan Hoe, who replaced the former NORINCO agent Dr Tun Min Latt. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces |
| Ukroboronprom | Ukraine | ToT for local production in Myanmar of 2SIU self-propelled howitzers as well as BTR-4 armoured personnel carriers and MMT-40 light tanks. | Joint project between DDI, Ukroboronprom, Ukrspecexport and Myanmar Chemical & Machinery. | ‘Ukraine is arming the Myanmar Military’ Justice for Myanmar, 8 September 2021. |
| Ukrspecexport | Ukraine | ToT for local production in Myanmar of 2SIU self-propelled howitzers as well as BTR-4 armoured personnel carriers and MMT-40 light tanks. | Joint project between DDI, Ukroboronprom, Ukrspecexport and Myanmar Chemical & Machinery. | ‘Ukraine is arming the Myanmar Military’ Justice for Myanmar, 8 September 2021. |
| Myanmar Chemical & Machinery Company Limited | Myanmar | Broker of joint project between DDI, Ukroboronprom and Ukrspecexport for local production in Myanmar of 2SIU self-propelled howitzers as well as BTR-4 armoured personnel carriers and MMT-40 light tanks. | Joint project between DDI, Ukroboronprom, Ukrspecexport and Myanmar Chemical & Machinery. | ‘Ukraine is arming the Myanmar Military’ Justice for Myanmar, 8 September 2021. |
| China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) | China | UAV | Yellow Cat A2, Myanmar’s locally manufactured variant of the Chinese CH3A surveillance done. | Panda, A., 9 June 2016. ‘Is Myanmar using Armed Chinese drones for counterinsurgency?’ The Diplomat, 9 June 2016. |
| China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) | China | UAV | Yellow Cat A2, Myanmar’s locally manufactured variant of the Chinese CH3A surveillance drone. | Panda, A., 9 June 2016. ‘Is Myanmar using Armed Chinese drones for counterinsurgency?’ The Diplomat, 9 June 2016. |
| Sinotruck | China | Multi-purpose tactical truck | Licence production of the HOWO model. Sinotruck has several entities active in Myanmar. In 2011, Sinotruck signed an agreement with No1 General Heavy Industries Enterprise to upgrade the No1 Myanmar Automobile Plant using a loan from China. The upgrade allowed for production and assembly of Sinotruk’s HOWO model truck. | ‘German-linked trucks featured in brutal Myanmar Crackdown.’ Justice for Myanmar, 29 March 2021. |
Raw Materials
| Company | Home state | Item | Additional information | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China North Industries Group (NORINCO) | China | Iron, aluminium, copper, brass | Reportedly through shipments coming via Singapore to Yangon, rather than entering Myanmar through border trading routes such as the northern Shan state border trading town Muse. The Myanmar agent for NORINCO is said to be the chairman of Myanmar company Mottama Holdings Limited, U Yan Hoe, who replaced the former NORINCO agent Dr Tun Min Latt. | Soe San Aung, Interview: ‘The military coup was not supposed to happen’ Radio Free Asia, 28 April 2021. Confirmed by individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Myanmar Wanbao Mining Copper Limited (subsidiary of China North Industries Group (NORINCO)) | China | Copper | According to leaked documents, the previous operator of the Letpadaung mine (joint venture between ME1 and Ivanhoe Myanmar Holdings Ltd., a subsidiary of the Canadian company, Ivanhoe Mines, now Turquoise Hill Resources) sold 100 tonnes of copper to the Office of Defence Service Industry, potentially for the domestic production of ammunition. | Amnesty International, 2015. ‘Open for business? Corporate Crime and Abuses at Myanmar Copper Mine’. |
| Myanmar New Power Group | Myanmar | Aluminum nitrate | According to information received by SAC-M, the company has provided 6859 tons of aluminum nitrate for making explosives. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Mottama Holdings Limited | Myanmar | Raw materials of unknown nature. | According to information received by SAC-M in November 2022, Mottama Holdings Limited serves as the new intermediary with between the DDI and Chinese arms manufacturing company NORINCO. Mottama Holdings Limited’s registered corporate address in Yangon is located in close proximity to the alleged location of the DDI’s storage units (KaHtaPa) at Inya Lake. Until 2013, Mottama Holdings was known as Asia Metal Company which was sanctioned for its alleged involvement in weapon deals between Myanmar and North Korea. Asia Metal Company was also sanctioned by the US in 2013 for constructing buildings and supplying construction materials for a DDI factory. Mottama Holdings Limited reportedly facilitates the DDI’s purchases of raw materials, including steel, for arms manufacturing. | Individual formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Suntac Group of Companies (also known as Suntac Technologies) | Myanmar | Raw materials of unknown nature | U Sitt Taing Aung, the owner of Suntac Group of Companies, is reported to have a military import licence to import raw materials needed to build arms factories and make weapons in Myanmar. According to information received by SAC-M, U Sitt Taing Aung represented Mottama Holdings Limited at the B2B forum in Prague in June 2019, where he requested to meet Czech companies with skills in steel manufacturing for the defence industry. | ‘Low-Profile Junta Crony Imports and Makes Arms for Myanmar’s Military.’ The Irrawaddy, 5 November 2021. Czech Myanmar B2B Forum, Prague, Czech Republic, on the occasion of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s official visit. List of participants and meeting requests on file with SAC-M. |
| STE Global Trading Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | Raw materials of unknown nature. | Owner U Tun Hlaing is reportedly a key player for the supply of materials needed by the DDI to manufacture weapons. In 2021, the Singaporean prosecutor opened an investigation following a complaint against STE Global Trading Pte. Ltd. for “breaking UN sanctions on North Korea enabling the Burmese military to procure weapons from the country.” | 'Low-profile Arms Dealer Continue to Supply Myanmar Military’s Weapon.' The Irrawaddy, 12 October 2021. |
| Excellence Metal Casting Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | Raw materials of unknown nature. | Owner U Tun Hlaing is reportedly a key player for the supply of materials needed by the DDI to manufacture weapons. In 2021, the Singaporean prosecutor opened an investigation following a complaint against Excellence Metal Casting for “breaking UN sanctions on North Korea enabling the Burmese military to procure weapons from the country.” | 'Low-profile Arms Dealer Continue to Supply Myanmar Military’s Weapon.' The Irrawaddy, 12 October 2021. |
| DPW Singapore Enterprise Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | Raw materials of unknown nature. | According to information received by SAC-M, DPW Singapore Enterprise Pte. Ltd. supplies the military with required raw materials for the military to produce small arms and ammunition. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Shwe La Ngwe La Company | Myanmar | Raw materials of unknown nature. | According to information received by SAC-M, Shwe La Ngwe La supplies the military with required raw materials for the military to produce small arms and ammunition. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Chan Hein Company Limited | Myanmar | Raw materials of unknown nature. | Founded by U Kyaw Hein and his wife Daw Mya Dar Yu. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
Parts and Components
| Company | Home state | Item | Additional information | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), now known as Directorate of Ordnance (Coordination & Services), the Department of Defence Production (DDP) of Ministry of Defence India | India | Fuses | Shipment in 2021. | “Arms Trade Bulletin March - April 2021.” International Peace Information Service (IPIS), 10 May 2021. |
| Solar Industries India Limited | India | Boosters, detonating caps, igniters, electric detonators. | Shipments done between 2019-2021. | Shipment records obtained by Justice for Myanmar, on file with SAC-M. |
| Sandeep Metalcraft Pvt. Ltd. | India | Fuses | Mechanical time projectile fuses 447, widely used for large- calibre ammunition for 84 mm recoilless rifles. Shipments done between 2019-2022. | “India supplying fuses to Myanmar military, deepening complicity in its atrocity crimes,” Justice for Myanmar, 15 July 2022. |
| Creative Exploration Ltd. (formerly mySpace International or My Space International Company Limited) | Myanmar | Fuses (imports for DDI) | Mechanical time projectile fuses 447, widely used for large- calibre ammunition for 84 mm recoilless rifles. Shipments done between 2019-2022. | “India supplying fuses to Myanmar military, deepening complicity in its atrocity crimes,” Justice for Myanmar, 15 July 2022. |
End-Items
| Company | Home state | Item | Additional information | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPZ Optics State Plant | Russian Federation | Optical sights | The PSO-1 scope, manufactured by NPZ Optics State Plant is the standard-issue optical sight for the Myanmar Army’s sniper rifle. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Tonbo Imaging Pte. Ltd. | India | Ek thermal sights | Thermal sights for sniper rifles, initial shipments done in 2022. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) | India | Trinetra Multi- Purpose Reflex Weapon Sights | A highly precise reticule, superimposed on the target scene, acts as an aim point for accurate firing. Runs on commercially available batteries. Shipment done in 2019. | Shipment records obtained by Justice for Myanmar, on file with SAC-M. |
Machinery and Technology
| Company | Home state | Item | Additional information | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMG MORI Aktiengesellschaft | Germany | CNC turning and milling machines: 3-, 4- and 5-axes. | While not specifically addressing Myanmar’s defence industry, in an advertisement from 2017, DMG MORI noted that it “sees further opportunities in its emerging markets such as...Myanmar, where it aims to help small- and medium-sized companies’ transition from three- to five- axis application.” In relation to the use of DMG MORI machines and technology in the defence industry broadly, in February 2022 the Egyptian Minister of Military Production Mohamed Ahmed Morsi held talks with the Board Chairman of DMG MORI, Christian Thönes, to discuss cooperation issues of mutual interest, including means to boost cooperation between the Ministry of Military Production and DMG MORI in the field of industrial digitization. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| FRITZ WERNER Industrie- Ausrüstungen GmbH | Germany | Unspecified spare parts for machinery. | Starting in the 1950s, FRITZ WERNER assisted the DDI to lay the foundation for the domestic production of small arms and ammunition, including by supplying machinery to produce explosives and a complete rolling mill for sheet brass. Observers with direct experience from KaPaSa factories have informed SAC-M that, even if there are no more sales of new equipment from FRITZ WERNER, it is still supplying spare parts to some of the machinery still in use at KaPaSa factories. Machinery exported to Myanmar was often labelled agricultural or industrial machinery for permits and shipment purposes. | Soe San Aung, Interview: ‘The military coup was not supposed to happen’ Radio Free Asia, 28 April 2021. Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Index Group: Traub | Germany | TNA CNC Turning machine (Traub) | Machines reportedly imported after 2005/2006 | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Tsugami Corporation | Japan | CNC Precision Automatic Lathe | BO325-II | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. Photographic evidence on file with SAC-M. |
| Myanmar Chemical & Machinery | Myanmar | N/A | Myanmar Chemical & Machinery has reportedly brokered a 2019 deal for a joint project between DDI, Ukroboronprom, Ukrspecexport to produce 2SIU self- propelled howitzers in Myanmar. | ‘Ukraine is arming the Myanmar Military’ Justice for Myanmar, 8 September 2021. |
| All TROOP Tech Co., Ltd. | Taiwan | CNC Wire-cut Electric Discharge Machine | N/A | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. Photographic evidence on file with SAC-M. |
| Exetec EDM Solutions | Taiwan | Electro discharge wiring cutting machine | ED400C V6550G | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. Photographic evidence on file with SAC-M. |
| Finetech Machine Tool Co., Ltd. | Taiwan | CNC Vertical Machining Centres | SMV-1060-H3L SMV-1270-H3L Machines reportedly imported after 2005/2006. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. Photographic evidence on file with SAC-M. |
| Mecatron Machinery Co., Ltd. | Taiwan | CNC Vertical Machining Centre | VMC 1480 | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. Photographic evidence on file with SAC-M. |
| Palmary Machinery Co., Ltd | Taiwan | CNC Cylindrical Grinding Machine | Extomax OCD-3260 P | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. Photographic evidence on file with SAC-M. |
| Supertec Machinery Inc. | Taiwan | CNC Griding Machine | G18P-40CNC | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. Photographic evidence on file with SAC-M. |
| TAKISAWA Taiwan Co., Ltd. | Taiwan | CNC Lathe | NEX-108 Slant Bed 2-axis CNC Lathe | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. Photographic evidence on file with SAC-M. |
| Victor Taichung Machinery Works Co., Ltd. | Taiwan | CNC Turning Machines | N/A | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Ukrspecexport | Ukraine | Horizontal boring, welding, cutting and lathe machinery. | Shipments done between 2015 and 2020 as part of the joint project between DDI, Ukroboronprom, Ukrspecexport and Myanmar Chemical & Machinery to produce 2SIU self-propelled howitzers (as well as BTR-4 armoured personnel carriers and MMT-40 light tanks) in Myanmar. | ‘Ukraine is arming the Myanmar Military’ Justice for Myanmar, 8 September 2021. |
| HAAS Automation Inc. | United States | CNC milling machines | VF3 / VF5 CNC milling machines. Machines reportedly imported after 2005/2006. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| GFM Steyr | Austria | CNC machines for manufacturing of gun barrels. | According to information received by SAC-M, CNC machines manufactured and sold by Austrian company GFM Steyr are currently in use at KaPaSa factories, including for making gun barrels. According to information received by SAC-M, GFM Steyr technicians also perform maintenance on CNC machines shipped from KaPaSa factories to Taiwan. It is not known if the GFM Steyr technicians are aware of the end-use of these machines. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Mottama Holdings Limited | Myanmar | N/A | According to information received by SAC-M in November 2022, Mottama Holdings Limited serves as the new intermediary between the DDI and Chinese arms manufacturing company NORINCO. Mottama Holding Limited’s registered corporate address in Yangon is located in close proximity to the alleged location of the DDI’s storage units (KaHtaPa) at Inya Lake. Until 2013, Mottama Holdings was known as Asia Metal Company which was sanctioned for its alleged involvement in weapon deals between Myanmar and North Korea. Asia Metal Company was also sanctioned by the US in 2013 for constructing buildings and supplying construction materials for a DDI factory. Mottama Holdings reportedly facilitate the DDI’s purchases of CNC machines for arms manufacturing, in addition to facilitating the maintenance of CNC machines in use at KaPaSa factories by shipping the machines to Taiwan for service and maintenance and then shipping them back to the DDI and Myanmar. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Life & Challenge Co. Ltd. | Myanmar | Support for repairs of CNC machines. | Life & Challenge reportedly assists Mottama Holdings, and the DDI, with CNC machinery support services, including for shipment to and from Taiwan for maintenance and repairs. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| Systèmes Dassault | France | 3D EM simulation and analysis software. | CST Studio Suite. Used for the design and performance analysis of Yagi-Uda antenna for UAV control system. | Leaked documents from Myanmar’s Defence Services Academy. |
| Systèmes Dassault | France | CAD Software for 3D modelling. | SOLIDWorks. Used at KaPaSa factories to draw, design and test soundsuppressor for the MA-3 rifle. | Leaked documents from Myanmar’s Defence Services Academy. |
| Siemens Digital Industries Software | Germany | Software CAD/CAM/ CAE | NX, formerly known as “Unigraphics,” is an advanced high-end CAD/CAM/CAE which has been owned since 2007 by Siemens Digital Industries Software. | Individuals formerly associated with Myanmar’s armed forces. |
| CIMATRON | Israel | CAD/CAM software for manufacturing, toolmaking and CNC programming applications. | Used to programme CNC machines for the design and manufacture of MA2 MK III 30 round magazines. | Leaked documents from Myanmar’s Defence Services Academy. |
Other
| Company | Home state | Item | Additional information | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myanma Five Star Shipping Company | Myanmar (State- owned) | Ships goods and items to the DDI. | The company is listed as the standard freight company for much of the materials and items ordered by the DDI for in-country production of weapons. | Shipment records obtained by Justice for Myanmar, on file with SAC-M. |
| MCM Pacific Pte. Ltd. (MCM Pacific Pte. Ltd. is the Singaporean branch of the Myanmar conglomerate Myanmar Chemicals & Machinery Co. Ltd.) | Myanmar | Various items including inorganic compounds such as industrial manganese dihydrogen phosphate; trichlorethylene; army-green catholic electrophoretic coating; chromium oxide; and “auxiliary materials” for a value of 500 000 USD. | MCM Pacific-DDI deals have been signed from 2016 onwards. U Aung Hlaing Oo, a business person who runs Myanmar Chemical & Machinery Co. (MCM), reportedly also assists the Myanmar military to procure the machinery, equipment and technology needed to manufacture sophisticated weapons, including through brokering deals with Ukraine. | ‘Myanmar junta crony plays key role in arms purchases from Ukraine’ The Irrawaddy, 29 September 2021. |
| Star Sapphire Trading Company Limited – a subsidiary of Star Sapphire Group | Myanmar | Brokers deals, including upgrades to DDI manufactured small arms. | The managing director Dr Tun Min Latt has dealt in defence technology and products from China and, previously, Israel. For instance, he had upgraded the army’s small arms, including sniper rifles, with Israeli technology. According to information received by SAC-M, Dr Tun Min Latt was the former agent for NORINCO in Myanmar, brokering deals between NORINCO for a variety of products used by the DDI at KaPaSa facilities. | ‘Star Sapphire Companies Funnelling Arms and Money to the Military’ Justice for Myanmar, Press Release 26 April 2022. |
