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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did DI MA-1 say to its friend? "You ma-1 my day.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MA-1
A MA-1 assault rifle captured by TNLA fighters in Kyaukme.
Type
Place of originMyanmar
Service history
In service2002–present
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerYisrael Galili of Israel Military Industries[1][a]
Designed1991
ManufacturerKa Pa Sa No. 1
Myanmar Fritz Werner Industries[b]
Produced2002–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass
  • 4 kg (9 lb) (No Magazine, Mk. I-II)
  • 4.42 kg (10 lb) (No Magazine, Mk. II)
  • 4.66 kg (10 lb) (With Magazine, Mk. I-II)
Length
  • 978 mm (39 in) (Mk. I-II)
  • 1,065 mm (42 in) (Mk. I-II)
  • 508 mm (20 in) (Barrel Length, Mk. II)
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire
  • 950 rounds/min (Mk. I-II)
  • 600-700 rounds/min (Mk. II)
Muzzle velocity950 m/s (3,120 ft/s)
Effective firing range400 m (437 yd)
Feed system
  • 35-, 50-, or 65-round box magazine (Galil-based)
  • 30-round magazine (For Mk. II variants c. 2019)
  • 70 or 100-round drum magazine (MA-2)
  • 10-round magazine (MA-S Mk. I)
  • 20-round magazine (MA-S Mk. II)
Sights
References[3][4][5][6]

The DI MA-1[c] is a family of Burmese-made assault rifles chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO, produced by the Myanmar Directorate of Defence Industries.

The MA designation on the weapon means Myanmar Army.[8] The series are sometimes erroneously referred to as the EMERK-3.[2]

History

[edit]

The Tatmadaw was armed with the BA63 (Burma Army 63), the Myanma-made version of the Heckler & Koch G3A3 battle rifle[9] made under license agreement with West Germany under the Ka Pa Sa factories in partnership with Fritz Werner Industry Ausrustungen-Gmbh (FRG) and the German Technical Corporation Agency.[10] However, it was considered too heavy for Myanma soldiers to use in jungle warfare.[7]

A team of engineers from IMI reportedly visited Yangon in 1991, helping with preparing the foundation to manufacture the MA-1s.[11][12][13] Reports cite Israel's support of Myanmar in developing the MA-1 despite repeated denials by Israeli officials based in Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.[14]

Serial production started in 2002 after signing an agreement with IMI.[7] The assault rifles were mostly made at Ka Pa Sa No 1 or DI-1,[8] a factory located near Inya Lake that serves as the main factory.[7][15]

According to William Ashton, Israel sought Myanmar out in order to gain international allies due to the constant threat of being surrounded by hostile states in the Middle East.[14]

Operational use

[edit]

The MA-series was first spotted in the early 2000s at numerous Tatmadaw Armed Forces Day parades and demonstrations,[16][13] replacing the previous Heckler & Koch G3 rifles that were in service.[7]

By 2009, it was reported that the Tatmadaw was almost fully equipped with the MA series.[7] From 2014, the Mk II variant is being used by the Tatmadaw as their standard rifle.[17] Plans were made to fully adopt the DI MA-1 Mk. III, but plans are halted due to quality issues.[18]

MA rifles have also been seen usage by the insurgent groups, captured from Tatmadaw forces[19] or from defecting soldiers.[20]

MA-1 and MA-3s have been documented in use by the PDF in the civil war since May 2023, with most being captures from Myanmar government soldiers and police officers.[21]

Some MA-3s were reportedly seen in Manipur, where they were confiscated in raids in July 2024.[22]

Design

[edit]
Tatmadaw soldiers in an honor guard holding MA-1s in a rifle salute.

The DI MA-1 series are based on the IMI Galil with some localised modifications produced with assistance from Israel.[14]

The MA-1 rifles are made with ventilated handguards and horizontal charging handles, unlike the Galil which has a vertical charging handle.[2] Early models (Mk. I) have curved cheekpieces in the buttstocks with later models (Mk. II) omitting this.[23] MA rifles are compatible with Galil magazines,[2] although they can use polymer magazines.[23]

They were initially introduced with wooden handguards; early models were made with brown polymer furniture and rounded, smooth pistol grips.[24] Later versions were produced with black furniture and clear cut Galil grips, designated as the Mk II.[25] It also uses synthetic alloys and plastics in its construction.[17]

An indicator for a MA rifle that is optimized to fire rifle grenades is the presence of tall iron sights.[23] The rifles can use the MG-2 rifle grenade.[26]

The selectors consist of safe, semi-auto and full-auto mode.[24]

In a 2009 interview, Sai Sheng Murng, deputy spokesman of the Shan State Army (RCSS), mentioned that foreign-made 5.56 NATO ammo cannot be used in the MA rifles while Myanma-made ammo can work with foreign assault rifles chambered in the same caliber.[7][27]

Variants

[edit]

MA-1

[edit]

Standard assault rifle with a bayonet lug for the option to have a bayonet mounted.[2] The bipod was not made standard with the MA-1s with the cleaning kit stored in a hollow space in the buttstock. The MA-1s are not equipped with a pistol grip-type safety system.[28]

It is reported by convicted porters under the Tatmadaw that Myanma soldiers would write the battalion number on its stock.[29]

MA-2

[edit]
Captured MA-2 in Kyaukme.

Light machine gun version with a heavy barrel and a bipod mounted.[30]

It was originally developed without the idea of using a drum magazine, relying on standard capacity magazines,[31] but it can be used with drum magazines.[5]

The handguard has two rows of ventilation holes that are parallel to the barrel.[28] It has a carry handle, long/heavy barrel and bipod.[24] The bipods used are thin-based for Mk. I versions, but the Mk. II versions are seen with bipods that are cloned from those used for the M60 GPMG.[5]

MA-3

[edit]
Captured MA-3 in Kyaukme.

Carbine version with a folding metal buttstock.[32] The stock is rarely used due to great difficulty in moving it[28] and to fully depress the lock in order to unfold it.[24] Can be used with suppressors made from AISI-321 stainless steel.[12]

Early models were badly made due to the materials used in its manufacture before they were fully resolved through the Mk II variant.

MA-4

[edit]
Captured MA-4 by TNLA.

A version of the MA-1 equipped with an underbarrel grenade launcher (UBGL),[32] known as the BA203 (Burma Army 203).[5]

It is an unlicensed clone of the MKEK T-40.[33][d] The UBGL is permanently fixed, which cannot be removed.

MA-S

[edit]

Known as Myanmar Army Sniper, a designated marksman rifle variant based on the MA-2.[35] They are used with a PSO-1 scope.[12]

It's chambered in 7.62x51 NATO caliber and fires from a 10-round magazine.[35] There are reports indicating that production may have started as early as 2011 to 2012.[36] It has a total weight of 5.3 kg, a total length of 1140 mm and a barrel length of 620 mm.[35] The rifle has a muzzle velocity of 852 m/s and an effective range of 1000 meters.[35]

The MA-S consist of a Mk. I and Mk. II version. The Mk. I resembles a Dragunov that can take 10-round magazines[5][35] with a PSO-1 scope.[37]

The Mk. II resembles Zastava-based rifles that can take 20-round magazines.[5] It has a picatinny rail under the gas block to install a bipod.[5] It comes in two colors; green or black furniture.[5] A version of the Mk. II in a camo finish was on display at the 2019 Defence and Security arms fair.[5]

There is a MA-S variant made for Tatmadaw soldiers participating in overseas shooting competitions such as the ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet.[38]

Mk. II

[edit]

Pre-2019

[edit]

The Mk. II variant saw the use of polymer to replace the black stock of the Mk. I.[5] It was also often equipped with polymer stocks, pistol grips, and fore-ends as standard issue.[24]

Post-2019

[edit]

The newer Mk II variants were shown overseas at the 2019 Defense and Security exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand, which was visited by Min Aung Hlaing.[39] This variant was publicly shown in 2022 with the Tatmadaw with a telescopic stock and picatinny rail on the upper receiver.[4] It was supposed to be shown in public in 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

The new Mk II magazine is based on the South African polymer Vektor R4 magazine.[23] The black moulds used in the newer Mk II variants were allegedly based on moulding materials provided by CAA Industries.[40]

By the Myanmar Civil War of 2021, all Mk. I variants were replaced by the Mk. II.[citation needed]

A variant of the MA1 Mk II known as T1 was seen in the hands of Myanmar Army soldiers since December 2025.[41] Small numbers of them were captured by various rebel forces.[42][43][44]

Users

[edit]

Non-state actors

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Minor adaptions were made to the original Israeli Galil design.
  2. ↑ Some sources mention this company is responsible for manufacturing the MA rifles.[2]
  3. ↑ Sometimes known as the MA1.[7]
  4. ↑ Other sources mention that it's an unlicensed clone of the M203.[34]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Yisrael Galili, Weapons Inventor, 72". The New York Times. 11 March 1995.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Roodhorst (2015), p. 1399.
  3. ↑ "MA-1". Archived from the original on 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  4. 1 2 3 "或将在缅甸第77个武装部队日亮相的缅军新式Ma突击步枪_型号_系列_榴弹发射器". Sohu.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2022-11-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ↑ "今日头条". Archived from the original on 2024-06-16. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lawi Weng. "Burmese Army Equipped with New Arms". Irrawaddy. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  8. 1 2 "Toys for the Boys". Asia Pacific Solidarity Network. Archived from the original on 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  9. ↑ Human Rights Watch. "Burma Government and Army". Archived from the original on 2008-10-20. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  10. ↑ Roman Decker (November 2007). ""Strong and Fast": German Arms in Burma". Archived from the original on 2018-07-25. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  11. ↑ Seth, Andrew (1996). Transforming the Tatmadaw: The Burmese Armed Forces since 1988 (PDF). Australian National University Strategic and Defence Studies Centre (SDSC). pp. 33–34. ISBN 0 731524012. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 "Critical Supplies - Special Advisory Council for Myanmar". 14 January 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Burma's Secret Military Partners" (PDF). openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 William Ashton (2000-03-01). "Myanmar and Israel develop military pact" (PDF). Jane's Intelligence Review. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  15. ↑ "BURMA'S WMD PROGRAMME AND MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN BURMA AND THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA" (PDF). p. 60. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2023.
  16. ↑ Ian McCollum, Rob Stott, Larry Vickers (January 1, 2019). Vickers Guide: Kalashnikov (Volume 2).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[page needed]
  17. 1 2 Thứ Ba (2014-11-25). "Súng trường MA-1 Mark II của Myanmar vượt trội M16 của Mỹ?, Page 3" (in Vietnamese). Bao Dat Viet. Archived from the original on 2014-12-28. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  18. ↑ "無托步槍真香？緬甸山寨97式大批量裝備部隊，亞洲兩國幫了大忙" (in Chinese). 2020-10-22. Archived from the original on 2024-06-22. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  19. 1 2 "KAREN NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY SITUATION REPORT" (PDF). p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Burma Human Rights Handbook" (PDF). 2008. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2022.
  21. 1 2 3 "Myanmar PDFs getting the guns to turn the war". 19 May 2023. Archived from the original on 2024-02-27.
  22. ↑ Manipur police seize arms, ammunition. Press Trust of India. Republished in The Hindu. Archived 14 July 2024(Date mismatch) at the Wayback Machine
  23. 1 2 3 4 "Burmese Rifle Grenades of the Infantry MA Series of Rifles". 17 August 2018.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 "BURMESE SMALL ARMS DEVELOPMENT - Small Arms Review". 26 August 2009.
  25. ↑ Duong Minh (2014-11-23). "Súng trường Myanmar tự làm xuất hiện tại Việt Nam" (in Vietnamese). Soha. Archived from the original on 2018-07-29. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  26. ↑ "MG-2 - Centre for Information Resilience". www.info-res.org. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  27. ↑ The Yat-Thai rifles of Shan State, Myanmar. Miles Vining. February 19, 2020. Armament Research Services (ARES).
  28. 1 2 3 Johnson & Nelson (2016), p. 215.
  29. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-01-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  30. ↑ Roodhorst (2015), p. 1400.
  31. ↑ "这款轻机枪在缅甸战争中使用最为广泛 供弹却常用步枪弹匣而不是弹鼓" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  32. 1 2 Roodhorst (2015), p. 1401.
  33. ↑ "The Kachin Kalashnikov in Myanmar". 24 July 2018.
  34. ↑ "设计奇葩却很实用的缅甸Ma-4步枪". Sohu.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 "不可忽视的战场幽灵 缅甸自制MA-S狙击步枪" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2018-07-29. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  36. ↑ "MA-Sniper Development Continues: Production and Issue". 13 September 2018.
  37. ↑ "The MA-Sniper: Early Burmese Army Designated Marksman Rifle Development". 30 August 2018.
  38. ↑ "Burmese MA-Sniper Modified for AARM Marksmanship Competition". 10 September 2018.
  39. ↑ "或将在缅甸第77个武装部队日亮相的缅军新式Ma突击步枪".
  40. ↑ "Israel's CAA Industries Ltd suspected to have aided and abetted the Myanmar military's international crimes | Justice for Myanmar".
  41. ↑ တပ်မတော်မှာ MA1 အစားထိုး မိုက်တယ်... ပစ်အာပိုကောင်းလာတယ် ကျည်ခွံညှပ်တဲ့ပြသနာ လျော့သွားတယ် စစ်မင်း Archived April 8, 2026, at Ghost Archive
  42. ↑ "စစ်တပ်ရဲ့ နောက်ဆုံးထုတ် အမ် အေဝမ်း သေနတ်ကို PDF တွေသိမ်းဆည်းရရှိ" [The PDFs captured the latest variant of the military's MA1 rifle]. People's Spring (in Burmese). January 6, 2026.
  43. ↑ "ဖရူဆိုမြို့နယ်၊ နန်းဖဲကျေးရွာအနီးရှိ ချောင်းအတွင်းရေခပ်ဆင်းလာသည့် စစ်သားများကို တိုက်ခိုက်မှုု ၅ ဦးသေဆုံးပြီး လက်နက် ၅ လက်သိမ်းဆည်းရရှိ" [Five soldiers were killed and five weapons were seized in an attack on soldiers who were drawing water from a stream near Nanphe village, Hpruso Township.]. Khit Thit Media (in Burmese). March 18, 2026. Archived from the original on 12 April 2026.
  44. ↑ "ပခုက္ကူ စက်မှုဇုန် အကြမ်းဖက်စစ်တပ်ဂိတ် တိုက်ခိုက်ခံရ၍ လေးဦးသေဆုံး" [Four killed in attack against a terrorist military checkpoint in Pakokku Industrial Zone]. Narinjara News (in Burmese). April 7, 2026.
  45. ↑ "When Myanmar's military seized power in a Feb. 1 coup, millions across the country took to the streets in protest". The Washington Post. 2021.
  46. ↑ "Inside Myanmar's Armed Uprising". The Globe and Mail. 6 December 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  47. ↑ "Burma Conflict Blog". www.dictatorwatch.org. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Johnson, Gary Paul; Nelson, Thomas B. (2016-12-15). The World's Assault Rifles. Ironside International Publishers. ISBN 9781619846012.
  • Roodhorst, Cor (2015). The Kalashnikov Encyclopedia: Recognition and Weapon Forensic Guide for Kalashnikov Arms and Derivatives II: Italy–Russia. Netherlands: Roodhorst Publications. ISBN 978-90-9027549-9.
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