"Rangoon: Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the Burma Armed Forces, has toured a naval base and defence manufacturers in Israel this week during a goodwill tour alongside senior military brass.
Along with local defence officials, Burma’s Air Force and Navy chiefs of staff and several other generals, Min Aung Hlaing visited Ashdod Naval Base to inspect a FAC Super Dvora Mark 3 patrol boat, an unknown number of which have been ordered from Israel by Burma’s military.
The Super Dvora Mark 3, manufactured in 2004, is designed to operate in shallow waters. A total of 16 vessels are in active service in the Israeli Navy.
Arriving in the country on Sunday, the commander-in-chief has also toured the offices of Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) and its subsidiary, Elta Systems Ltd. In addition to manufacturing the FAC Super Dvora vessels, IAI produces a range of fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles for military use.
While Min Aung Hlaing’s visit is the first time a chief of the Burma Armed Forces has traveled to the country in 56 years, there has been an enduring and secretive military relationship between the two countries for decades."
