Myanmar to receive SY400 short range ballistic missile system from China

The SY400 system with the BP-12A ballistic missile. Photo c/o Hunter Chen, through Popular Science.

The Armed Forces of Myanmar (Tatmadaw) is set to soon receive the first batch of SY400 short range ballistic missile system from China.

The deal, which was acquired through a financing scheme provided by the Chinese government, includes technology transfer agreement related to the SY400 system.

The SY400 system, also known as the DF-12A ballistic missile system, can fire either the PHL-03 300mm heavy rockets with a maximum range of around 120 kilometers, or the BP-12A short range ballistic missile which has a range of around 280 kilometers, which is a downgrade from the China-spec model which has a range of more than 400 kilometers.

This is to allow it for export and overcome restrictions set by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which China is a member.

While the PHL-03 rockets are unguided, the BP-12A missiles are guided to their targets via Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS). The system can fire multiple missiles aimed at multiple targets.

Standard configuration normally has a standard configuration of either eight (8) containers for PHL-03 rockets, or two (2) contianers for the BP-12A ballistic missiles, both designed to allow storage for years without the need for maintenance. 

The containers are mounted on a Wanshan 8x8 high mobility military truck, which itself has a maximum road speed of 75 kilometers per hour and a maximum range of 650 kilometers.


[1] Army Recognition
[2] Military Today