The Myanmar Air Force (MAF) is planning to buy two second-hand Airbus-CASA C-295 transport planes from Jordan, in a deal expected to be worth $US38.6 million.

The Myanmar side believes that because Jordan does not impose any sanctions on Myanmar, it can sell platforms without being caught up in the European Union’s (EU) arms embargo on Myanmar. The EU had decided to impose sanctions to stop human rights violations against Arakanese Muslims in Myanmar.

According to the statements, there is no direct negotiation between Myanmar and Jordan. Aero Sofi, a Myanmar-based company, is said to be conducting the negotiations on behalf of the parties. A Myanmar military spokesman said in a statement that the new platforms planned to be purchased from Jordan could replace the force’s Chinese-manufactured Y-8 fleet. MAF was operationally using a total of five Y-8 transport aircraft until one crashed into the Andaman Sea in June 2017.

“We cannot compete with India and China, but we can compete with our three other neighbours,” Myanmar officials said, referring to Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh.

Airbus-CASA C-295 users include Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.