Myanmar’s military junta is using advanced European technology to protect its drone fleet during aerial campaigns, according to a report by Conflict Armament Research (CAR). The research found that the junta obtained ‘anti-jamming’ modules made in Europe through a Chinese company, enabling its drones to resist jamming and signal spoofing.
CAR documented downed military drones in Kayah state fitted with these navigation modules, and found evidence of similar technology in Chin state. The drones were also being weaponised with release mechanisms. Myanmar has been in conflict since the 2021 coup, with opposition groups making effective use of drones, prompting the junta to invest heavily in drone technology.
The EU has imposed arms embargoes on Myanmar since the 1990s, with further sanctions after the 2021 coup. However, campaigners argue sanctions are not wide-ranging enough and enforcement is inconsistent. Yadanar Maung of Justice For Myanmar said the findings were unsurprising, highlighting a pattern of exports including communications equipment and UAV parts.
CAR’s report does not name the manufacturer or European country, but notes the product was shipped to a vetted distributor in China in March 2023, then sold to a Chinese integrator, and finally to a company in Ruili on the China-Myanmar border in March 2024. The manufacturer had made efforts to prevent misuse, and the product was not classified as military or dual-use.
Robert Hunter Perkins, CAR’s head of research, said drone warfare challenges policy makers due to rapid commercial advancements. He stressed the need for sustained monitoring to ensure sanctions are effective and to prevent future diversions.
