Australia normalizing its defense ties with Myanmar

Australia’s establishment of a defense attache in Myanmar was an expected step in the normalization of relations, but Canberra’s growing naval concerns in the region make the move more notable. Australia will now have an office in Myanmar specifically dedicated to coordinating defense matters and reducing any frictions.

Australia’s HMAS Childers, an Armidale class patrol ship, was set to leave Thilawa Port, Yangon, on Jan. 23, the first such visit since 1959. It will next call on Chittagong, Bangladesh, and then participate in India’s Exercise Milan 2014 in the Andaman Sea. On Jan. 20 Royal Australian Navy Capt. Jonathan Dudley became Australia’s first defense attache to Myanmar since 1979. While Canberra and Naypyidaw have a history of distrust and bilateral defense relations are restarting at a low level, Australia views Myanmar and the Indian Ocean Basin as an increasingly strategic region for its future interests, and Myanmar views Australia as a potential foreign benefactor as it emerges from decades of relative isolation.