
The Myanmar Air Force has inducted at least eight new aircraft to partly replace losses in aircraft incurred since 2021. (Janes)
The Myanmar government has said that it has inducted at least eight new aircraft during a commissioning ceremony in December 2024. The acquisitions are part of an effort by the ruling military government, or the State Administration Council (SAC), to replace combat losses, Janes assesses.
At least three Mil Mi-17 helicopters, three Guizhou FTC-2000G attack/trainers, one Hongdu K-8W light attack/trainer, and one Shaanxi Y-8F200 transport aircraft were commissioned into service at the Meiktila Air Base on 15 December 2024, according to the office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (CINCDS).
While the CINCDS statement did not mention the possible commissioning of new Sukhoi Su-30SME fourth-generation multirole fighter aircraft, an 8 January 2025 report by The Irrawaddy indicates that the Myanmar Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay: MAF) has also inducted two new Su-30SMEs to complete its acquisition of the six contracted aircraft.
The MAF has acquired two Su-30SMEs annually since 2022. Janes has reported that the first two aircraft (serial nos 1904 and 1905) arrived in Myanmar in July 2022 and were inducted into the air force on 15 December 2022. The next two Su-30SMEs (serial nos 1906 and 1907) were inducted on 15 December 2023.
The CINCDS said the latest aircraft inductions are part of an effort to “reinforce the air force” with newer aircraft. However, Janes assesses that the inductions will partly replace losses incurred by the air force since the SAC assumed control of the country in February 2021.
According to Janes
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