it seems that Indians are facing some resistance from the Dutch after they decided to export license-built Dutch technology to Myanmar!
Burmese frigates to be equipped with Dutch tech despite arms embargo
8 April 2013
India has previously transferred military equipment to Burma including maritime patrol aircraft, light artillery and grenade launchers.
Last year it was revealed that M-3 Carl Gustav anti-tank weapons were used by Myanmar in battles against Kachin insurgents. Carl Gustavs have been sold to India in the past by Swedish Saab. While India has denied delivering lethal equipment to Myanmar, it is investigating the matter, after a Swedish investigation found serial numbers of the weapons pointing to India as the source.
Such a transfer to Burma would be in breach of the EU’s 1996 embargo, besides breaching contractual obligations to get permission from the country of origin.
More European military technology is soon to be seen in Burma. According to Jane’s Defence Weekly, India’s state-owned radar producer Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has secured a contract to equip three newly built Burmese frigates with its so-called RAWL-02 MkIII radars. These long-range search radars, which provide target indication to weapon control systems, are built under licence, as versions of Thales Netherlands LW-08 radar sold to India, including a transfer of technology.
Normally the Dutch government requires that export of military goods built abroad under licence, is notified to the Dutch owner of the technology and then requires permission from the Dutch government.
That raises questions on how The Hague has dealt with this order: has it been informed, and if so, why then has it granted permission for the Indo-Burmese deal, despite the ongoing European embargo? If not, then BEL appears to be in trouble with the Dutch government for breaching contract requirements.
PS: Soon after this blog was posted Thales Nederland clarified to this blog that it had explained to BEL that it can not cooperate with the deal with Myanmar, as long as sales of military equipment containing Dutch technology would violate the current EU sanctions against that country.
Burmese frigates to be equipped with Dutch tech despite arms embargo | Campagne tegen wapenhandel