Rueben Dass and Iftekharul Bashar
Myanmar has endured protracted ethno-political conflicts for decades. Since the military coup in February 2021, the situation has escalated to a new level. Technology is playing a significant role in the evolution of the civil war, as both sides add new weapons to their arsenals. Over the past three years, the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), the armed wing of the pro-democracy National Unity Government (NUG), and various ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) have increasingly relied on technology to challenge the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military. Drones and 3D-printing have become vital tools in their strategies. Likewise, the Tatmadaw has also adopted new technology, particularly drones, learning from its adversaries. This article explores how these new technologies are shaping Myanmar’s conflict theatre and their broader implications for modern warfare.
Drones
Resistance groups in Myanmar have weaponized drones in innovative ways, adapting commercial drones like DJI quadcopters and hexacopters, and even developing 3D-printed drones like the Liberator MKI and MKII to carry explosives. Some parts for these drones are allegedly sourced from online e-commerce platforms in border regions or smuggled across the border from China and Thailand, reducing the financial burden on resistance groups. The addition of bomb-release mechanisms and other modifications have made drones a versatile weapon, allowing for more efficient and effective strikes. Drones are primarily used for targeted bombings on military bases and fortified camps. These systems enable the insurgents to bypass difficult terrain, such as dense jungles and mountainous regions, and strike military camps and outposts that would otherwise be hard to reach with conventional ground assaults.
No comments:
Post a Comment