The Kachin Kalashnikov in Myanmar
Although located in some of the most remote parts of the Burmese jungle, the Kachin Independence Army has been able to build up an impressive arms assembly capability in the northern regions of the country of Myanmar. It is very difficult to acquire information and proof of Kachin facilities, but current speculation leans more towards the side of assembly of prefabricated components that are being imported rather than an actual indigenous arms production scheme and supply chain. A previous Kachin design was reported on in January of 2013 through TFB, that of a Type 81-based rifle grenade launcher. We’ll be covering this weapon system soon as the design has subsequently been upgraded in addition to numerous variants have been added to it.
Today we’ll be looking at a new Kachin design that has actually been in active service since at least March of 2014 when it was observed being issued out to members of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, a rebel group in the border areas that is strongly allied with the Kachin Independence Army and the Shan State Army- South. A majority of the photographs we have gathered of the Kachin Kalashnikov show it in use by the TNLA, but it has been seen in use by other groups as well.
The rifle is of an AKM-patterned configuration with a stamped steel reciever, chambered in 7.62x39mm. The fixed stock, handguards, and pistol grip are of a polymer construction and so is the magazine body but there might be a stamped metal variant that is also in service. Some of the features unique to the Kachin AKM are that it lacks threads at the muzzle and thus isn’t fitted with any compensator.
There also has been a variant of the Kachin Kalashnikov equipped with an M203-patterned UBGL. The launcher appears to be a direct copy of the Burmese MA-4 40x46mm UBGL that is married to the host 5.56x45mm MA-1 rifle it is attached to. It appears that the Burmese launcher might be a direct copy of the Turkish T-40, also of a similar pattern. Israel’s IWI employs the T-40 on the GTAR-21, in use with Indian forces. Burma and Israel have historically and continue to have very strong defense armament ties so that is most likely the route that the launcher would have taken.
Infantry Marine, based in the Midwest. Specifically interested in small arms history, development, and usage within the MENA region and Central Asia. To that end, I run Silah Report, a website dedicated to analyzing small arms history and news out of MENA and Central Asia.Please feel free to get in touch with me about something I can add to a post, an error I've made, or if you just want to talk guns. I can be reached at miles@tfb.tv
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These are Type 56 (stamped) pattern complete with so-called 'export' L/D selector markings. Chinese 'parts kits' makes sense.
I treated Karen hill tribe casualties in 2000 working with Refugee Relief International who also were trying for independence from the Burmese hunta. The Katchen are very similar, when most of Burma went along with the Japanese invasion and occupation these minorities did not and actively supported the allies and the US (see history of the Katchen Rangers) these are tough little dudes with legitimate grievances. I replaced a heavy wooden leg on a below knee amputee with a high tech carbon fiber one, he went back into Burma to fight for the Karen Free State.