Sanctioned Russian truck maker to launch production in Myanmar
Russia’s biggest truck manufacturer Kamaz is set to start vehicle production in Myanmar as the company is increasingly losing access to other markets due to sanctions imposed on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.
Kamaz representatives met with junta leadership in Myanmar on April 27 to discuss the set-up of a manufacturing facility for civilian and military trucks in the country, according to a report by Russian state news agency Interfax which referred to a press release by Myanmar’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations. A manufacturing agreement between the parties is expected as early as next month.
The report said that Sergey Kogogin, general director for Kamaz, met with Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing and junta investment minister Aung Naing Oo. Members of multiple Russian companies who have previously engaged with the Myanmar military were also present.
“Full range of options”
The truck maker giant is considering “a full range of options from car manufacturing to personnel training and developing a service network. We are ready to form a proposal by June and submit it for signing,” the press release said.
Kamaz has been collaborating with Myanmar since 2016 and was appointed a truck, parts and service dealer in 2017. As a start, Kamaz delivered four Kamaz-6460 truck tractors to commercial clients in 2019, with 20 vehicles overall planned for delivery as part of the contract with the dealer. Kamaz further delivered seven Kamaz-43266 flatbed trucks in 2020.
The Myanmar army is also one of Kamaz’s customers. One of the company’s signature trucks, the heavy-duty Kamaz-6560, is a vehicle on which a surface-to-air missile launcher known as the Pantsir-S1 can be affixed. In January 2021, just one month before the coup, the Myanmar army ordered two Pantsir-S1s during an official Russian visit to the country. They are expected to arrive in the coming year.
Advocacy group warns of military support for Myanmar junta
“Increased access to military vehicles and truck manufacturing capabilities will aid the Myanmar military’s campaign of terror,” advocacy group Justice for Myanmar warned.
Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec holds 49.9 per cent in Kamaz, whose trucks were used in the country’s recent invasion of Ukraine. Moscow-based privately held transport company Avto-Invest holds 20.81 per cent, while the third largest shareholder is Germany’s Daimler AG with 15 per cent.
[caption id="attachment_38435" align="alignleft" width="300"] Kamaz trucks at a military parade in Russia[/caption] Russia’s biggest truck manufacturer Kamaz is set to start vehicle production in Myanmar as the company is increasingly losing access to other markets due to sanctions imposed on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine. Kamaz representatives met with junta leadership in Myanmar on April 27 to discuss the set-up of a manufacturing facility for civilian and military trucks in the country, according to a report by Russian state news agency Interfax which referred to a press release by Myanmar’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations. A manufacturing...
Russia’s biggest truck manufacturer Kamaz is set to start vehicle production in Myanmar as the company is increasingly losing access to other markets due to sanctions imposed on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.
Kamaz representatives met with junta leadership in Myanmar on April 27 to discuss the set-up of a manufacturing facility for civilian and military trucks in the country, according to a report by Russian state news agency Interfax which referred to a press release by Myanmar’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations. A manufacturing agreement between the parties is expected as early as next month.
The report said that Sergey Kogogin, general director for Kamaz, met with Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing and junta investment minister Aung Naing Oo. Members of multiple Russian companies who have previously engaged with the Myanmar military were also present.
“Full range of options”
The truck maker giant is considering “a full range of options from car manufacturing to personnel training and developing a service network. We are ready to form a proposal by June and submit it for signing,” the press release said.
Kamaz has been collaborating with Myanmar since 2016 and was appointed a truck, parts and service dealer in 2017. As a start, Kamaz delivered four Kamaz-6460 truck tractors to commercial clients in 2019, with 20 vehicles overall planned for delivery as part of the contract with the dealer. Kamaz further delivered seven Kamaz-43266 flatbed trucks in 2020.
The Myanmar army is also one of Kamaz’s customers. One of the company’s signature trucks, the heavy-duty Kamaz-6560, is a vehicle on which a surface-to-air missile launcher known as the Pantsir-S1 can be affixed. In January 2021, just one month before the coup, the Myanmar army ordered two Pantsir-S1s during an official Russian visit to the country. They are expected to arrive in the coming year.
Advocacy group warns of military support for Myanmar junta
“Increased access to military vehicles and truck manufacturing capabilities will aid the Myanmar military’s campaign of terror,” advocacy group Justice for Myanmar warned.
Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec holds 49.9 per cent in Kamaz, whose trucks were used in the country’s recent invasion of Ukraine. Moscow-based privately held transport company Avto-Invest holds 20.81 per cent, while the third largest shareholder is Germany’s Daimler AG with 15 per cent.
