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US SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY FOR USE BY
- Subject: US SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY FOR USE BY
- From: darnott@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 23:10:00
Jane's Defence Weekly
May 19, 1999
Myanmar to set up military satellite network
Robert Karniol JDW Asia Pacific Editor
Myanmar (formerly Burma) intends to establish an extensive military
satellite communications network as part of the effort to modernise
its armed forces, sources recently in Yangon (Rangoon) have revealed
to Jane's Defence Weekly.
The Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Procurement has invited
potential suppliers to tender for the programme's initial phase,
involving the construction of ground stations for a Very Small
Aperture Terminal (VSAT) system. These would be linked to a
transponder capacity still to be leased on a commercial satellite.
The first stage involves construction of a hub station in Yangon, 10
to 15 remote stations and three to five mobile stations. This should
eventually be expanded to some 200 remote stations that would
provide secure voice and data links to military units throughout the
country.
The VSAT system would operate on C-Band and may include a video
conferencing capability. An encryption system is another
requirement.
Myanmar already has a limited satellite communications capability,
although this is ostensibly civilian-oriented as it is mainly geared
to provide long-distance telephone services in the strategic border
areas. A hub station was established at Thanlyn (formerly Syriam),
near Yangon, in 1993 and 14 satellite communication terminals set up
in remote regions.
This system uses the ASIASAT satellite, owned by Hong Kong-based
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co, with Myanmar leasing
one-quarter of a transponder for the purpose. ASIASAT is among two
or three commercial satellites that could be used for the planned
military communications network.
Although ASIASAT is owned and operated by a Chinese company, the
satellite is of US origin. It is unclear how the use of US
technology for a military communications network would be affected
by Washington's sanctions against the Yangon regime, which include a
ban on arms sales.
- Robert Karniol JDW Asia Pacific Editor
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