Russia to deliver missile systems to post-takeover Myanmar on time - RIA

Russia to deliver missile systems to post-takeover Myanmar on time - RIA
Published 28 August 2021
Reuters

MOSCOW, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Russia will deliver Pantsir missile defence systems to Myanmar on schedule as outlined in the relevant sales contract, the RIA news agency cited the head of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation as saying on Wednesday.

The truck-mounted systems are used to shoot down aircraft, drones and cruise missiles.

Rights activists have accused Moscow of legitimising the ruling military, which seized power in a Feb. 1 takeover, by continuing bilateral visits and arms deals. read more

Russia says it has a long-standing and strategic relationship with Myanmar and believes the authorities are doing all they can to try to stabilise what it has called the "quite serious" situation there.

Myanmar and Russia struck the deal for the Pantsir systems in January, RIA cited Dmitry Shugayev, the Russian weapons official, as saying.

"We will deliver (the systems) in line with the terms and conditions stipulated in the contracts, he was quoted as saying.

Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Andrew Osborn