Aberdeen-based firm Veripos, which develops navigation technology for the oil and gas sector, is alleged to have sold more than £70,000 worth of equipment to the Myanmar Army, known as the Tatmadaw.

Veripos, part of Hexagon’s Positioning Intelligence division, is one of 59 private companies identified by the UN following a six-month investigation, with other named organisations based in Belgium, France, Canada and Norway.

In addition, state-owned companies from Russia, India, Israel and China are also believed to have agreed deals with the military worth billions of pounds. Weapons and equipment, ranging from vehicles and small arms weaponry to fighter jets and ballistic missile systems, have been supplied to the Myanmar military through these companies.

In its report, the UN called for a crackdown on companies known to do business with the military, recommending that assets be frozen.

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In a statement, Veripos told The Guardian: “Through an intermediary in Singapore, Veripos provided GPS products to the Myanmar Naval Hydrographic Center between 2014 and 2017 in compliance with applicable legislation and regulation.

“Our products are used for civil marine applications, eg hydrographic survey. Veripos committed to the highest standards of ethical behaviour and will abide by any regulations provided by the United Nations as a result of this report.”

The Tatmadaw is accused of committing war crimes and genocide against the Rohingya in Myanmar, a minority Muslim population. The two-year campaign conducted by the Myanmar military in Rakhine state has allegedly resulted in the mass-murder of civilians and forced hundreds of thousands to flee to Bangladesh.

According to the UN study, the Myanmar military has been able to continue carrying out atrocities through its control of a business empire which provides the financial muscle to purchase hi-tech military equipment. This empire is made up to two holding companies, Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC).

Both of these companies are owned by senior figures within the Myanmar Army and are believed to control around 120 businesses located throughout the country. The income generated by this business empire was estimated to be worth more than £98 billion in 2017.

Christopher Sidoti, who was involved in the UN mission, told The Guardian: “The military operates as a state within the state but it’s even more than that: in some many respects, it is the state in Myanmar.

“It remains the dominant economic and political player, and that’s the fundamental problem confronting the future of the country. Until the military do not have this economic power, there can be no serious future for human rights in the country.”