COMPANIES from at least 13 countries have helped Myanmar build up capacity to produce weapons that are being used to commit atrocities following its 2021 military takeover, independent international experts have found.

The report, released on Monday by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, details how the country has stepped up arms production since the army seized power on February 1 2021, igniting a mass public opposition movement.

Companies in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East are supporting the military supply chain, the report says, urging those businesses to ensure they are not facilitating human rights abuses.

Land mines and naval mines are among other products being made in Myanmar, said the report, citing people who have worked in the industry and also photos of weapons displayed at a defence-and-security exhibition in Bangkok that showcased such products.

Weapons factories, known as “KaPaSa,” an abbreviation of the local name for the Directorate of Defence Industries, draw on components such as fuses, optical sights and detonating caps imported from India and China. 

They also have computer numerical control machines, used for milling, grinding and other functions, from Austria, Germany, Japan, Taiwan and the United States, the report said.

The exact number of such factories is unclear, but analysis of satellite images and other information has identified dozens of such facilities.

Myanmar has no private arms makers, so any such companies are run by the Ministry of Defence and Directorate of Defence Industries, the report said.

Special Advisory Council expert and human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti urged governments to investigate and, when justified, initiate action against companies that enable Myanmar’s military to make weapons used in “indiscriminate attacks on civilians.”

“Foreign companies that profit from the suffering of the Myanmar people must be held accountable,” said Mr Sidoti.