International Desk: Russian-made helicopters and Chinese aircraft into its air force
International Desk: Myanmar’s military has announced the induction of Russian-made helicopters and Chinese aircraft into its air force. This move comes as both Russia and China continue to supply the junta with military equipment, despite intense international pressure to end the bloody civil war in the country.
While the United States, the European Union, and other nations have imposed sanctions on Myanmar, including an arms embargo, according to the UN, Russia and China have persistently provided the military with hundreds of millions of dollars worth of hardware.
New Hardware for a Strengthened Air Force
Photographs released by the military show that it has received three Russian MI-38T helicopters and two Chinese Y-8 aircraft. Experts suggest these will likely be used to transport troops to conflict zones in the country’s mountainous regions.
In a statement issued on November 7 in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, to mark the induction, the military said these transport aircraft would strengthen its ability to ensure the security of Myanmar’s airspace.
Statements from Leadership and Analysis
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar’s ruling military government, stated, “The current international conflict and internal situation clearly point to the essential role of all kinds of aircraft.”
Analysts view the new acquisitions as a sign of the military’s resilience. Morgan Michaels, a Singapore-based analyst with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, who runs the Myanmar Conflict Map project, noted, “The supply of new helicopters and planes shows that the Myanmar military continues to acquire vital equipment despite economic and diplomatic pressures, with Russia being a key partner.”
According to the defense intelligence company Janes, Myanmar is the first known export customer for Russia’s MI-38T helicopter.
