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Journalism of Courage
Defence relations between India and Myanmar are poised to enter a new phase with Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy scheduled to land in Yangon on November 14.
Following Myanmar head of state Senior General Than Shwe’s four-day visit to India last month, Krishnaswamy is ready to offer air force training, military technology and upgrades of Yangon’s obsolete air fleet.
A pilot from the Myanmar air force was in India earlier this year where his capabilities on a MiG-21 were gauged. Than Shwe also travelled to Bangalore where he inspected HAL’s ALH Dhruv helicopters and expressed interest in purchasing some.
The Myanmar air force will also look at procuring Indian-made aircraft radars. The IAF is currently understood to be near signing a deal with Chile to sell a dozen ALH Dhruvs — part of a joint marketing effort with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).
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PLA hqs smashed on Myanmar border
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• IMPHAL: The Army on Monday smashed a temporary General Headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army at Behang, 200 km south of Imphal, on the Manipur-Myanmar border. |
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The Myanmar air force comprises an ambitious air command structure that has so far failed to get off the ground. The structure envisages five air force squadrons. It currently has three squadrons of PC-7/9 turboprop aircraft and five squadrons of outdated fighter jets.
Krishnaswamy is expected to offer comprehensive pilot training to Myanmar on newer aircraft and also offer technical upgrades of the force’s present fleet.
