Aircraft Designator
No. 173-10
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CONTRACTS: NAVY
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded an $117,401,603 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive fee V-22 multi-year production contract (N00019-07-C-0001) to provide two additional MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft. Pursuant to the variation in quantity clause, this procurement will bring the number of MV-22 aircraft on this contract from 141 to 143. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa. (50 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (35 percent); and Amarillo, Texas (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $117,401,603 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
RiverHawk Fast Sea Frames, LLC, Tampa, Fla., is being awarded a $70,140,000 firm-fixed-price letter contract for the detail, design, and construction of two offshore support vessels and associated equipment and services for the Iraqi Navy. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Iraq. Work will be performed in Houma, La., and is expected to be completed by December 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $47.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured based on the terms of a Foreign Military Sales case which the Government of Iraq specified RiverHawk Fast Sea Frames, LLC, as the source for this effort. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-2222).
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Bloomington, Minn., is being awarded a $30,602,134 firm-fixed-price contract for the full-rate production of 118 Type 3 advanced mission computers for the F/A-18 and E/A-18G aircrafts. Work will be performed in Bloomington, Minn., and is expected to be completed in December 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $6,480,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0014).
Atlantic Marine Philadelphia, LLC, Philadelphia, Pa., is being awarded a $12,771,174 firm-fixed-price contract for a 70-calendar day regular overhaul of Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys. The ship’s primary mission is to provide fuel to Navy ships at sea and jet fuel to aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers. Humphreys, which deactivated and joined the Navy’s Inactive Ships program in 1996, is being reactivated this summer by the direction of U.S. Fleet Forces Command to support counter-piracy and global war on terrorism operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations where the ship will serve as a duty oiler to U.S. and coalition warships. Work performed will include tank inspections; ballast tank preservation; main engine cylinder head inspection and overhaul; underwater hull cleaning; and paint and propeller system maintenance. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $15,492,209. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pa., and is expected to be completed by May 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an unrestricted solicitation and four offers were received. The solicitation was posted to the Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities Web sites. The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, a field activity of Military Sealift Command, is the contracting activity (N40442-10-C-1001).
Lockheed Martin Corp., Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $10,232,032 cost-plus-fixed-fee task order # 0002 under previously awarded contract (N00014-09-D-0702) for the Integrated Topside program. This task order supports the technology development phase of a Navy acquisition program to develop a satellite communication prototype/advanced development model system suitable for integration into Navy submarines. This contract contains options which, if exercised, will bring the value of the contract to $32,003,899. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J., and work is expected to be completed March 2011. With options exercised, the completion date is July 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity.
Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $7,111,723 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0008) for 12 months of AIM-9X Sidewinder missile support for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and the governments of Australia, Denmark, Finland, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey and Switzerland. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. and is expected to be completed in December 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($2,678,281; 38 percent), U.S. Air Force ($2,578,282; 36 percent), and the governments of Australia ($438,658; 23 percent); Denmark ($202,358; 11 percent); Finland ($202,357; 11 percent); Korea ($202,357; 11 percent); Saudi Arabia ($202,358; 11 percent); Singapore ($202,358; 11 percent); Turkey ($202,357; 11 percent); and Switzerland ($202,357; 11 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Sealaska Environmental Services, LLC*, Juneau, Alaska, is being awarded a $6,832,006 firm-fixed-price contract modification to increase the maximum dollar value of previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N44255-09-D-4005) for the operation, maintenance, and long term monitoring environmental services at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for operation and maintenance of various remediation sites, systems, wellsm and long-term monitoring in order to ensure compliance with environmental agency requirements. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $34,913,885. Work will be performed in the NAVFAC Northwest AOR, including, but not limited to, Washington (78 percent), Alaska (18 percent), Oregon (1 percent), Idaho (1 percent), Montana (1 percent), and Wyoming (1 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of March 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity.
Kalman & Co., Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded $6,624,698 to exercise task order #0023 option under previously awarded contract (M67854-03-A-5158). The scope of this effort is to provide business and analytical support to the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD) systems. Objectives of this initiative include risk analyses supporting enterprise-wide efforts and current programs of record, leading to concise business case analyses that identify cost and performance projections, schedule impacts, and sustainment/lifecycle considerations. This effort will require applied use of decision support tools to conduct comparative analyses of costs, quantify benefits and attendant risks, and fully vet each alternative through appropriate stakeholder business forums. The expected outcome of this effort is to assist the JPEO-CBD in continuing best business practices and effective course of action selection criteria for the management of their portfolio of acquisition programs, efforts, and initiatives. Ancillary efforts will include subject matter expertise representation at stakeholder sponsored forums, program objectives memorandum and budget planning, preparing Congressional testimony and briefings, and ensuring a comprehensive program of technology insertion (e.g., research-and-development-based investment) is established and maintained. Work will be performed in Marine Corps Command organizations in Falls Church, Va., and is expected to be completed in September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $6,165,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-05-C-5100) for system integrator/design agent for Open Architecture Track Manager. As the systems integrator design agent, the contractor assists in developing and maintaining architecture and requirements; modifies government-furnished information to implement and maintain the open architecture track manager; and integrates open architecture track manager onto Navy-specific platforms. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va. (98 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
ARMY
Northrop Grumman Corp., Apopka, Fla., was awarded on March 1, 2010, a $79,000,624 fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract is for the lightweight laser designator rangefinders. Work is to be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2014. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-D-0061).
General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Height, Mich., was awarded on March 1, 2010, a $62,123,818 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for the award program Year Four Increment 2 of the Abrams multi-year contract for a quantity of 22 M1A2 systems enhancement package, Version 2 upgrade vehicles. Work is to be performed in Lima, Ohio (75 percent); Tallahassee, Fla. (10 percent); Anniston, Ala. (9 percent); Scranton, Penn. (3 percent); and Sterling Heights, Mich. (3 percent), with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2012. One bid was solicted with one bid received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
Northrop Grumman Corp., Apopka, Fla., was awarded on March 1, 2010 a $46,172,662 fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract is for the lightweight laser designator rangefinders. Work is to be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2014. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-D-0061).
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on March 3, 2010, a $34,416,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for a requirement to procure a minimum of 144, maximum of 326, upturned exhaust systems to be installed in UH/HH 60M production line aircraft and retrofit of aircraft that will be deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Work is to be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2015. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, CCAM-BH-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-10-D-0001).
Oshkosh Corp, Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on March 2, 2010, a $29,735,676 requirements contract for the purchase of 79 new Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, M978A4 trucks on the existing HEMTTA4 contract along with ancillary items. Work is to be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2012. One bid was solicted with one bid received. TACOM , Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0024).
BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services, Inc., Rockville, Md., was awarded on March 2, 2010, a $22,365,515 cost-plus-award-fee contract for logistical support and services consisting of the three major functional areas of maintenance, transportation, and supply on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Work is to be performed in the island of Oahu (96.4 percent) and island of Hawaii (3.6 percent), with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2018. 54 bids were solicited with seven bids received. Regional Contracting Office, Hawaii, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (W912CN-08-C-0085).
Northrop Grumman Corp., Apopka, Fla., was awarded on March 1, 2010, a $17,615,004 fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract is for the lightweight laser designator rangefinders. Work is to be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2014. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-D-0061).
Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure, Inc., Edgewood, Md., was awarded in Feb. 26, 2010, a $16,933,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is to provide all labor, personnel, supervision, administration, materials, equipment, tools, and transportation necessary to perform public works functions at the following general locations in the state of Alaska: Fort Wainwright and the Donnelly, Yukon, and Black Rapids training areas. Work is to be performed in Fort Wainwright; the Donnelly, Yukon, and Black Rapids training areas; and Seward campground, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2014. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. U.S. Expeditionary Contracting Command, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W912CZ-09-D-0004).
FN Manufacturing, Columbia, S.C., was awarded on March 3, 2010, a $10,326,020 firm-fixed-price contract for a 5 year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the FN303 firing device. The FN303 firing device is a non-lethal launcher used for riot control and training purposes. Work is to be performed in Columbia, S.C., with an estimated completion date of March 1, 2015. One bid was solicted with one bid received. TACOM Rock Island CCTA-AR-SR-SC, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-10-D-0125).
SUMO-NAN, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded on March 2, 2010, a $10,260,010 firm-fixed-price contract for an upgrade air support operations center complex, Wheeler Administration Annex, Wheeler Army Airfield, Oahu, Hawaii. Work is to be performed in Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 5, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with four bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (W9128a-10-C-0004).
Creative Times Day School, Inc., dba as Creative Times, Inc., Ogden, Utah, was awarded on March 1, 2010, a $9,023,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a training support center at Fort Riley, Kan. Work is to be performed in Fort Riley, Kan., with an estimated completion date of July 10, 2011. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with nine bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-10-C-4010).
Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training, Sterling, Va., was awarded on March 1, 2010, an $8,704,479 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of one transportable Blackhawk operations simulator US Device 8. Work is to be performed in Sterling, Va., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. One bid was solicted with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, CCAM-BH-C, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0257).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
GE Datex-Ohmeda, Inc., Madison, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $19,847,688 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for patient monitoring systems, subsystems, accessories, parts, and training. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 17 proposals solicited with nine responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first option year period. The date of performance completion is March 5, 2011. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM2D1-10-D-8348).
*Small business
Introductory comments from Sol Salbe of the Middle East News Service sponsored by the Australian Jewish Democratic Society.
[Middle East News Service comments: News items should always be read with scepticism but some times more than others. This morning (Monday) Sydney Morning Herald’s report Singapore, a friend indeed to Burma contains the following segment: ‘Much of Singapore's activity in Burma has been documented by an analyst working in Australia's Office of National Assessments. Andrew Selth is recognised as a leading authority on Burma's military. Now a research fellow at Queensland's Griffith University, Selth has written extensively for years on how close Singapore Inc is to the junta.
‘Often writing as "William Ashton" in Jane's Intelligence Review, Selth has described how Singapore has sent guns, rockets, armoured personnel carriers and grenade launchers to the junta, some of it trans-shipped from stocks seized by Israel from Palestinians in southern Lebanon.’
Frankly I don’t believe that Israel, or Singapore for that matter, would have kept equipment dating back to 1982 – the last time Israel seized weapons from Palestinians in Lebanon Israel seized considerable amounts much more recently on the West Bank.
There has been some interest in the relationship between Israel and Burma. The English Haaretz pointed out in its 30 September issue that Israel took its time in condemning the Burmese regime. The Hebrew Haaretz had much more:
“The Foreign Ministry contends that relations over the past two decades have been kept ‘on the back burner’ and that ‘there has hardly been any political dialogue.’ True, some of the junta leaders visited Israel in 1995, including the chief of Intelligence. They were received by senior Foreign Ministry officials. Yitzhak Shelef, who then headed the Asia section of the ministry, pointed out that ‘we couldn’t have not received them, but the visit concentrated on economic issues. I don’t remember anything beyond that.’”
Haaretz did not comment on why the Chief of Intelligence would be involved in economic discussions. A major portion of the article concentrated on military relations including a one paragraph summary of the Jane’s article included below. This was followed by denials from the foreign ministry, Gad Ram-On (the Israeli ambassador in 1996-2000 and from sources close to Israeli Military Industries and Elbit.
Einyan Merkazi, news-israel.net - a source similar to Crikey.com.au in Australia in its earlier years (although somewhat more patriotic) - did not share Haaretz’s need to give twice as much space for the denials. While wrongly attributing the item to the most recent issue of Jane’s it added:
“The riots in Burma whose name was changed by the junta to Myanmar. are slowly but surely exposing Israel’s involvement and its close ties with the dictatorial regime. Once again it becomes evident that Israel is one of the world largest traders in death and weaponry. The Israeli government does not have any compunction as to identity of its customers. Since the monks uprising commenced several hundred people have been killed and thousands have been arrested. The ruling junta utilises sharpshooters in a similar manner that the IDF uses against armed Palestinian militants on the West Bank in Gaza.” Earlier the web site pointed out that Ambassador Ruth Schatz background is in military intelligence.
Included below is the only copy of the 2000 Jane’s report that I was able to obtain. While the details match the summary in both Haaretz and Einyan Merkazi I have no idea to the reliability of the source and would hope to have it confirmed elsewhere.
Considering Einyan Merkazi’s allusion to the similar tactics used by the Burmese junta and the IDF the last word should go to Haaretz cartoonist Daniella London-Dekel – Sol Salbe.]
TV screen is datelined Gaza
“Poor Burmese monks”
http://www.ww4report.com/node/4491
Israeli military aid to Burmese regime: Jane's
Submitted by David Bloom on Sat, 09/29/2007 - 20:14.
The Burmese junta currently shooting unarmed protestors received a cynical plea for restraint from the Israel government on Sept. 29. According to the Israeli paper Ha'aretz, the Israeli foreign ministry announced "Israel is concerned by the situation in Myanmar, and urges the government to demonstrate restraint and refrain from harming demonstrators." The article ended by pointing out that "Israel denies selling weapons to Burma or Myanmar." (Ha'aretz, Sept. 29)
Not true, according to a March 1, 2000 report in the authoritative British publication Jane's Intelligence Review by William Ashton. The article, titled "Myanmar and Israel develop military pact," details how Israeli companies and the Israeli government have been supplying and developing weapons for the Burmese regime, and sharing intelligence:
In August 1997 it was revealed that the Israeli defence manufacturing company Elbit had won a contract to upgrade Myanmar's (then) three squadrons of Chinese-built F-7 fighters and FT-7 trainers. The F-7 is a derivative of the Mikoyan MiG-21 'Fishbed' jet fighter. The FT-7 is the export version of the GAIC JJ-7, itself a copy of the MiG-21 'Mongol-B' trainer. Since they began to be delivered by China in 1991, the Myanmar Air Force has progressively acquired about 54 (or four squadrons) of these aircraft, the latest arriving at Hmawbi air base only last year. In related sales, the air force has also acquired about 350 PL-2A air-to-air missiles (AAM) from China and at least one shipment of the more sophisticated PL-5 AAMs.
Since their delivery to Myanmar, these new aircraft have caused the air force considerable problems. Several aircraft (and pilots) have already been lost through accidents, raising questions about the reliability of the Chinese technology. There have also been reliable reports that the F-7s were delivered without the computer software to permit the AAMs to be fired in flight. Also, the air force has complained that the F-7s are difficult to maintain, in part reflecting major differences between the structure and underlying philosophy of the Myanmar and Chinese logistics systems. Spare parts have been in very short supply. In addition, the air force seems to have experienced difficulties in using the F-7 (designed primarily for air defence) in a ground attack role. These, and other problems, seem to have prompted the air force to turn to Israel for assistance.
According to sources in the international arms market, 36 of Myanmar's F-7 fighters are to be retro-fitted with the Elta EL/M- 2032 air-to-air radar, Rafael Python 3 infrared, short range AAMs, and Litening laser designator pods. The same equipment will also be installed on the two-seater FT-7 fighter trainers. In a related deal, Israel will also sell Myanmar at least one consignment of laser-guided bombs. Since the Elbit contract was won in 1997, the air force has acquired at least one more squadron of F-7 and FT-7 aircraft from China, but it is not known whether the Israeli-backed upgrade programme will now be extended to include the additional aircraft. Myanmar's critical shortage of foreign exchange will be a major factor in the SPDC's decision.
The army has also benefited from Myanmar's new closeness to Israel.
As part of the regime's massive military modernisation and expansion programme, considerable effort has been put into upgrading the army's artillery capabilities. In keeping with its practice of never abandoning any equipment of value, the army clearly still aims, as far as possible, to keep older weapons operational. (Pakistan, for example, has recently provided Myanmar with ammunition for its vintage 25 pounder field guns). The older UK, US and Yugoslav guns in the Tatmadaw's [Myanmar Armed Forces] inventory have been supplemented over the past 10 years with a range of new towed and self-propelled artillery pieces. Purchased mainly from China, they include 122mm howitzers, anti-tank guns, 57mm Type 80 anti-aircraft guns, 37mm Type 74 anti-aircraft guns and 107mm Type 63 multiple rocket launchers. In a barter deal brokered by China last year, the SPDC has also managed to acquire about 16 130mm artillery pieces from North Korea. Despite all this new firepower, however, the army has still looked to Israel to help equip its new artillery battalions.
Around 1998 Myanmar negotiated the purchase of 16 155mm Soltam towed howitzers, possibly through a third party like Singapore. These guns are believed to be second-hand pieces no longer required by the Israel Defence Force. Last year, ammunition for these guns (including high explosive and white phosphorous rounds) was ordered from Pakistan's government ordnance factories. Before the purchase of these new Chinese and North Korean weapons, Myanmar's largest artillery pieces were 105mm medium guns, provided by the USA almost 40 years ago. Acquiring the Israeli weapons thus marks a major capability leap for Myanmar's army gunners. It is possible that either Israel or Pakistan has provided instructors to help the army learn to use and maintain these new weapons.
Nor has the Myanmar Navy missed out on Israeli assistance. There have been several reports that Israel is playing a crucial role in the construction and fitting out of three new warships, currently being built in Yangon.
Myanmar's military leaders have long wanted to acquire two or three frigates to replace the country's obsolete PCE-827 and Admirable- class corvettes, decommissioned in 1994, and its two 1960s-vintage Nawarat-class corvettes, which have been gradually phased out since 1989. As military ties with China rapidly grew during the 1990s, the SLORC hoped to buy two or three Jiangnan- or even Jianghu-class frigates, but it could not afford even the special 'friendship' prices being asked by Beijing. As a compromise, the SPDC has now purchased three Chinese hulls, and is currently fitting them out as corvettes in Yangon's Sinmalaik shipyard.
According to reliable reports, the three vessels will each be about 75m long and displace about 1,200 tons. Despite a European Community embargo against arms sales to Myanmar, the ships' main guns are being imported (apparently through a third party) from Italy. Based on the information currently available, they are likely to be 76mm OTO Melara Compact guns, weapons which (perhaps coincidentally) have been extensively combat-tested by the Israeli Navy on its Reshef- class fast attack missile patrol boats. The corvettes will probably also be fitted with anti-submarine weapons, but it is not known what, if any, surface-to-surface and SAMs the ships will carry.
Israel's main role in fitting out the three corvettes is apparently to provide their electronics suites. Details of the full contract are not known, but it is expected that each package will include at least a surface-search radar, a fire-control radar, a navigation radar and a hull-mounted sonar.
The first of these warships will probably be commissioned and commence sea trials later this year.
Only sales or a strategic imperative?
While Myanmar remains a pariah state, subject to comprehensive sanctions by the USA and European Community, it is unlikely that Israel will ever admit publicly to having military links with the Tatmadaw. Until it does, the reasons for Israel's secret partnership with the Yangon regime will remain unclear. A number of factors, however, have probably played a part in influencing policy decisions in Tel Aviv.
There is clearly a strong commercial imperative behind some of these ventures. From a regional base in Singapore, with which it shares a very close relationship, Israel has already managed to penetrate the lucrative Chinese arms market. It is now aggressively seeking new targets for sales of weapons and military equipment in the Asia- Pacific. These sales are sometimes supported by offers of technology transfers and specialised advice. This approach has led to fears among some countries that Israel will introduce new military capabilities into the region which could encourage a mini arms race, as others attempt to catch up. The weapon systems being provided to the Myanmar armed forces are not that new, and the Asian economic crisis has dramatically reduced the purchasing power of many regional countries, but Israel's current activities in Myanmar will add to those concerns.
Given the nature of some of these sales, and other probable forms of military assistance to Myanmar, these initiatives would appear to enjoy the strong support of the Israeli government. In addition to the ever-present trade imperative, one reason for this support could be a calculation by senior Israeli officials that closer ties to Myanmar could reap diplomatic and intelligence dividends. For example, Myanmar is now a full member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) which, despite the economic crisis, is still a major force in a part of the world which has received much closer attention from strategic analysts since the end of the Cold War. Israel's regional base will remain Singapore, but it is possible that Tel Aviv believes Myanmar can provide another avenue for influence in ASEAN, and a useful vantage point from which to monitor critical strategic developments in places like China and India.
In particular, Israel is interested in the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and the transfer of technologies related to the development of ballistic and other missiles. Myanmar has close military relations with China and Pakistan, both of which have been accused of transferring sensitive weapons technologies to rogue Islamic states, such as Iran. Myanmar is also a neighbour of India, another nuclear power that has resisted international pressure to curb its proliferation activities. Yangon could thus be seen by Israel as a useful listening post from which to monitor and report on these countries.
Also, despite accusations over the years that Myanmar has developed chemical and biological weapons, and more convincing arguments that Israel has a sizeable nuclear arsenal of its own, both countries share an interest in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Myanmar's support for anti-proliferation initiatives, in multilateral forums like the UN General Assembly and the Committee on Disarmament, would seem to be worth a modest investment by the Israeli government in bilateral relations with the SPDC. In addition to training Myanmar agriculturalists in Israel, assisting the Tatmadaw to upgrade its military capabilities seems a sure way of getting close to the Yangon regime.
Israel's repeated denial of any military links with Myanmar are not unexpected. Israel has never liked advertising such ties, particularly with countries like Myanmar, South Africa and China, which have been condemned by the international community for gross abuses of human rights. Even Israel's very close military ties with Singapore are routinely denied by both sides. Yet there seems little room for doubt that, after the 1988 takeover, Israel did start to develop close links with the SLORC, which are continuing to grow under the SPDC. In these circumstances, it would be surprising if Israel was not still looking for opportunities to restore the kind of mutually beneficial bilateral relationship that was first established when both countries became independent modern states in 1948.
