Myanmar Military Commissions New Combat Jets

Myanmar’s military has unveiled new combat aircraft as it intensifies efforts to regain territory from resistance forces, state media reported on Friday.

Photos released by the army suggest four jet fighters have been added to its fleet, including two Russian‑made Su‑30s, widely used for bombing missions. It marks the sixth time the military has commissioned new aircraft since seizing power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in 2021. Russia and China remain its key suppliers, while Western nations maintain arms sanctions.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said a strong air force was vital to “protect the state interest effectively,” citing past operations against insurgents and external threats. Yet critics argue the new hardware will only fuel airstrikes that have already caused heavy civilian casualties.

The opposition National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic armed groups accuse the military of mass killings during recent offensives. They claim up to 40 people died in Bago region earlier this month when drones, jets and artillery were deployed. In Rakhine state, the Arakan Army said 116 captured soldiers were killed in aerial attacks on a detention camp. These reports could not be independently verified, and the military has not acknowledged them.

The commissioning of new aircraft coincides with the army’s recapture of Tagaung, an ancient town in northern Mandalay. Resistance forces had held it since August 2024, but withdrew after a weekslong offensive involving heavy weapons. The loss marks a significant setback for the NUG, which still maintains positions outside the town.

Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the NUG, warned that the expanded air fleet signals more strikes on civilian areas. He urged the international community not to ignore what he described as “continued mass killings.”

For Myanmar’s embattled opposition, the arrival of new jets underscores the military’s determination to consolidate power — and the growing human cost of a civil war now entering its fifth year.

-2026-03-13