IRIA News

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The Myanmar Air Force took delivery of its final two Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets from Russia, marking the conclusion of a high-profile arms deal signed in 2018.

The aircraft was handed over during a ceremonial event at the Meiktila Air Base Aviation School, coinciding with the military’s 77th founding anniversary. The two jets were delivered in the third tranche of deliveries under the agreement.

The first pair of Su-30s was delivered in July 2022, followed by the second pair four months later. The contract, valued at approximately $400 million, highlights the deepening military cooperation between Russia and Myanmar amid ongoing conflict and international scrutiny.

Su-30 Flanker

Known in NATO terms as the “Flanker,” the Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter jet that has gained a reputation for its versatility and advanced capabilities. Measuring 22 meters in length with a wingspan of 15 meters, the Su-30 is equipped with an internal fuel capacity of 9,400 kilograms, giving it an impressive range of 2,963 kilometers. The aircraft can operate at altitudes over 17,000 meters and reach a top speed of 2,111 kilometers per hour.

The Su-30 is heavily armed, boasting a 30-millimeter automatic cannon, guided and unguided bombs, and an array of air-to-air, air-to-surface, anti-ship, and anti-radiation missiles. These capabilities make it a formidable addition to Myanmar’s arsenal, and the jets are widely used by more than ten countries, including India and Ethiopia.

However, despite these acquisitions, Myanmar’s air superiority has not translated into territorial security, as the military struggles to contain armed resistance movements across the country.

Escalating internal conflict

The delivery of the Su-30s comes amid an intensification of Myanmar’s internal conflicts, particularly in the northern Shan state. The junta has ramped up its use of airstrikes and artillery attacks in areas controlled by ethnic rebel groups.

Reports indicate that the military has employed Y-12 transport aircraft to drop bombs on rebel strongholds. Additionally, transport helicopters capable of carrying large quantities of bombs are increasingly being used following the loss of fighter jets and combat helicopters to rebel forces.

Anti-junta forces, despite lacking sophisticated equipment such as surface-to-air missiles, have demonstrated resilience. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns and other basic weapons, these groups have managed to shoot down low-flying military aircraft. The junta’s reliance on air and artillery attacks is expected to expand further into 2025 as it seeks to stem the loss of territory to anti-government forces.

Myanmar Navy expands fleet

Parallel to the Air Force developments, the Myanmar Navy celebrated its 77th anniversary in Yangon with significant upgrades to its fleet. The ceremony included the induction of a medium-class frigate and the commissioning of two anti-submarine corvettes, underscoring the military’s broader efforts to modernize its capabilities amid the ongoing crisis.

Russia has been a key ally of Myanmar’s military, supplying advanced weaponry despite international condemnation of the junta’s actions since it seized power in February 2021. Moscow’s role in strengthening the junta’s military capabilities reflects a strategic partnership that has drawn criticism from human rights groups and Western governments. The $400 million Su-30 deal is one of several military contracts between the two nations.

The escalation in Myanmar’s use of airpower has raised alarms among international observers and humanitarian organizations. Airstrikes and artillery bombardments have led to widespread civilian casualties and displacement. Analysts warn that the junta’s increased reliance on sophisticated weaponry, including the Su-30s, may exacerbate the humanitarian crisis while failing to decisively shift the balance in the protracted conflict.

As Myanmar’s military gears up for intensified conflict in 2025, the delivery of the Su-30s signals its intent to maintain dominance in the skies. However, the ongoing conflict and the junta’s inability to decisively quell resistance underscore the limitations of military might in resolving deeply entrenched political and ethnic grievances.

The acquisition of advanced weaponry such as the Su-30 underscores the stark contrast between the junta’s military ambitions and the dire humanitarian situation on the ground. With no end to the conflict in sight, Myanmar’s latest arms deal with Russia raises pressing questions about accountability, international intervention, and the future of a nation mired in turmoil.