» South Asia » Myanmar »
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Russia to supply wide range of arms to Myanmar http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7598_1666436,000500020010.htm
Press Trust of India
Moscow, April 4, 2006
Russia has agreed to supply a wide range of arms including air defence systems and MiG-29 fighters to Myanmar in exchange of access to the rich oil and gas resources of the country, local reports said.
General Maung Aye, the number two in the ruling military junta of Myanmar, is currently on a three-day visit to Russia, first by a top Myanmar official in 40 years, held wide ranging negotiations with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and other senior officials on Monday.
"We are interested in deepening Russia's role in the Asia-Pacific region and Russian-Burmese ties in this context have good and promising prospects," Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS after yesterday's talks with General Aye.
Myanmar is interested in creation of national air defence system deploying Russian Tor-M1 and Buk-M1-2 systems and is negotiating the supplies of MiG-29 fighters, reports said on Tuesday.
It also wants to train its military personnel in Russian military colleges, Kommersant daily reported.
It added that these issues would be discussed during Gen Aye's meeting with the top Russian defence officials.