The Myanmar Air Force (, ) is the aerial branch of the
Tatmadaw, the armed forces of
Myanmar
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
. The primary mission of the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) since its inception has been to provide transport, logistical, and
close air support to the
Myanmar Army
The Myanmar Army (; ) is the largest branch of the Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar, and has the primary responsibility of conducting land-based military operations. The Myanmar Army maintains the second largest active force in Southea ...
in
counter-insurgency operations.
It is mainly used in
internal conflicts in Myanmar, and, on a smaller scale, in relief missions, especially after the deadly
Cyclone Nargis of May 2008.
History
Post-independence era (1948–1990)
The Myanmar Air Force (MAF) was formed as the
Burmese Air Force on 16 January 1947, while
Burma
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and ha ...
(as
Myanmar
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
was known until 1989) was still under
British rule. By 1948, the fleet of the new air force included 40
Airspeed Oxford
The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford is a twin-engine monoplane aircraft developed and manufactured by Airspeed Ltd, Airspeed. It saw widespread use for training Commonwealth of Nations, British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombin ...
s, 16
de Havilland Tiger Moths, four
Austers, and three
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and other Allies of World War II, Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. It was the only British fighter produced conti ...
s transferred from the
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
, and had a few hundred personnel.
The Mingaladon Air Base HQ, the main air base in the country, was formed on 16 June 1950. No.1 Squadron, Equipment Holding Unit and Air High Command - Burma Air Force, and the Flying Training School, were placed under the jurisdiction of the base. A few months later, on 18 December 1950, No. 2 Squadron was formed with nine
Douglas Dakotas as a transport squadron. In 1953, the Advanced Flying Unit was formed under the Mingaladon Air Base with
de Havilland Vampire T55s, and by the end of 1953 the Burmese Air Force had three main airbases, at
Mingaladon,
Hmawbi, and
Meiktila
Meiktila (; ) is a city in central Burma on the banks of Meiktila Lake in the Mandalay Region at the junctions of the Bagan- Taunggyi, Yangon- Mandalay and Meiktila-Myingyan highways. Because of its strategic position, Meiktila is home to Myanm ...
, in central Burma.
In 1953, the Burmese Air Force bought 30
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and other Allies of World War II, Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. It was the only British fighter produced conti ...
s from
Israel
Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...
and 20
Supermarine Seafires from the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, and in 1954 it bought 40
Percival Provost T-53s and 8
de Havilland Vampire Mark T55s from the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
. In late 1955, the Burmese Air Force formed a Maintenance Air Base in Mingaladon, No. 501 Squadron Group (Hmawbi Airbase) and No. 502 Squadron Group (Mingaladon Air Base). In 1956, the Burmese Air Force bought 10
Cessna 180 aircraft from the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
. The same year, 6
Kawasaki Bell 47Gs formed its first helicopter unit. The following year, the Burmese Air Force procured 21
Hawker Sea Fury aircraft from the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
and 9
de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otters from
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
. In 1958, it procured 7 additional Kawasaki Bell 47Gs and 12
Vertol H-21 Shawnees from the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
.
Five years later, No. 503 Squadron Group was formed with No. 51 Squadron (
de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otters and
Cessna 180s) and No. 53 Squadron (Bell 47Gs,
Kaman HH-43 Huskies, and
Aérospatiale Alouettes) in
Meiktila
Meiktila (; ) is a city in central Burma on the banks of Meiktila Lake in the Mandalay Region at the junctions of the Bagan- Taunggyi, Yangon- Mandalay and Meiktila-Myingyan highways. Because of its strategic position, Meiktila is home to Myanm ...
.
On 15 February 1961, an unmarked
Republic of China Air Force Consolidated PB4Y Privateer came into Burmese air space carrying supplies for Chinese
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang (KMT) is a major political party in the Republic of China (Taiwan). It was the one party state, sole ruling party of the country Republic of China (1912-1949), during its rule from 1927 to 1949 in Mainland China until Retreat ...
forces fighting in northern Burma, and was intercepted by three
Hawker Sea Fury fighters of the Burmese Air Force. The intruding bomber and one Burmese fighter crashed in
Thailand
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
during the incident.
["Intrusions, Overflights, Shootdowns and Defections During the Cold War and Thereafter."]
''myplace.frontier.com.'' Retrieved: 28 May 2013. On 17 February, a team from Burmese 9th Front Brigade left for the crash site. A 12.7mm bullet was fired into the fuselage of UB-466, hitting pilot officer Peter as well, breaking five of his ribs. Peter was recorded in the history of Burmese Air Force as an airman who gave his life for the country and the people.
In 1962, a new radar station in Mingaladon and a mobile radar station in Lwemwe (near Tachileik) were put into operation. By December 1964, the Burmese Air Force had 323 officers and 5,677 other ranks and it acquired
Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star jet trainers and a new radar station, which could operate within a 120-mile (193-km) radius, was opened in
Namsang. In 1966, the radar arm of the air force underwent a complete overhaul and upgrade, with new radar stations being operated. The Namsang Radar station was upgraded to cover about a 200-mile (322-km) radius and renamed No.71 Squadron. In the same year, the Burmese Air Force formed the No. 1
Airborne Battalion with 26 officers and 750 other ranks.
On 1 January 1967, the Burmese Air Force reorganized its command structure. No. 501 Squadron Group in
Hmawbi became No. 501 Air Base HQ; No. 502 Squadron Group in Mingalardon became No. 502 Air Base HQ; and No. 503 Squadron Group in
Meiktila
Meiktila (; ) is a city in central Burma on the banks of Meiktila Lake in the Mandalay Region at the junctions of the Bagan- Taunggyi, Yangon- Mandalay and Meiktila-Myingyan highways. Because of its strategic position, Meiktila is home to Myanm ...
became No. 503 Air Base HQ in Meiktila. It also maintained airfield detachments in
Lashio and
Kengtung to cope with the insurgency of
Communist Party of Burma in the northeast border region of the country.
In 1975, the Burmese Air Force took delivery of 18
Bell 205A and seven
Bell 206B helicopters from the United States under the International Narcotic Control Program (INCP). In March 1975, it bought 20
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 trainers from
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
.
Between 1976 and 1987, the Burmese Air Force bought seven
Pilatus PC-6 Turbo porter STOL aircraft; and 16
Pilatus PC-7 and 10
Pilatus PC-9 turboprop trainers from
Switzerland
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...
. These aircraft were deployed in
Lashio for close air support in counter-insurgency operations.
In 1989, the Burmese Air Force was renamed the Myanmar Air Force in accordance with the country changing its name from
Burma
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and ha ...
to
Myanmar
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
.
Modernisation programme (1990–present)
In the early 1990s, the Burmese Air Force upgraded its facilities and introduced two new air base headquarters and existing air base headquarters were renamed. It also significantly upgraded its radar and electronic warfare facilities. The Burmese Air Force bought more than 100 aircraft from the
People's Republic of China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
, which included
F7 IIK interceptors,
FT-7 trainers,
A-5C ground attack aircraft,
FT-6M trainers,
K-8 trainers and
Y-8 transport aircraft.
By 2000, the Myanmar Air Force had received 62
F7 IIK interceptors from
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
.
Assistance from
Israel
Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...
was sought to refurbish and upgrade all operational
F-7s and FT-7s: these were to get the
Elta EL/M-2032 air-to-air radar,
Rafael Python Mk. III and even
Litening
The AN/AAQ-28 Litening is an advanced precision targeting pod system operational with a wide variety of aircraft worldwide. Research and development of the ''Litening'' was first undertaken by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' Missiles Divisi ...
laser-designator pods. The same equipment was then installed on the two-seater FT-7 fighter trainers as well. In a related deal, Israel transferred at least one consignment of laser-guided bombs, but no deliveries of any other weapons are known. Since the
Elbit contract was won in 1997, the air force had acquired at least one more squadron of F-7 and FT-7 aircraft from China, but these were not upgraded.
Between 1992 and 2000, the Myanmar Air Force took delivery of 36
A-5C ground attack aircraft. In addition, the Myanmar Air Force also bought 20
Soko G-4 Super Galeb armed jet trainers from
Yugoslavia
, common_name = Yugoslavia
, life_span = 1918–19921941–1945: World War II in Yugoslavia#Axis invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia, Axis occupation
, p1 = Kingdom of SerbiaSerbia
, flag_p ...
in 1991, but only approximately 6 aircraft were delivered due to the breakup of Yugoslavia.
The Myanmar Air Force procured a range of helicopters from
Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
and
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...
between 1991 and 1997; it bought 20 PZL-Swidnik
Mil Mi-2 and 13
PZL W-3 Sokol helicopters from Poland and 13
Mil Mi-17 from
Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
. These helicopters were put into counter-insurgency operations against ethnic rebels in the
Irrawaddy River
The Irrawaddy River (, , Ayeyarwady) is the principal river of Myanmar, running through the centre of the country. Myanmar’s most important commercial waterway, it is about 1,350 miles (2,170 km) long. Originating from the confluence of the ...
delta. Four
Mil Mi-2, four
PZL W-3 Sokol, and two
Bell 205 helicopters were grouped as an air detachment stationed in
Bogalay for "Operation Monediang" in October 1991. During this operation, Mil Mi-2 helicopters were fitted with a wide range of weapons to provide ground attack and air cover for heliborne
air assault operations. Four Mi-2s of the air detachment made a total of 80 sorties over 17 targets with nearly 82 flying hours. Four PZL W-3 Sokol helicopters, unarmed and used for troop transport carrying 20 airborne commandos, each flew 443 missions with 197 flying hours.
Bell 205 helicopters carried out
search and rescue
Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, typically determined by the type of terrain the search ...
, and they flew 263 missions with over 114 flying hours.
In 2001, the Myanmar Air Force bought 12
MiG-29 fighter aircraft (10 MiG-29Bs and two MiG-29UB two seats trainers)
from
Belarus
Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus spans an a ...
. This was followed by an additional order of 20 MiG-29 (10 MiG-29B, 6 MiG-29SE and 4 MiG-29UB) as part of a $570 million defence package in December 2009. 10 MiG-29B were upgraded to SM (mod) standard in 2017.
The air force also ordered 10
Mil Mi-35 gunship helicopters as part of a $71 million defence package signed in December 2009.
Despite these modernisation measures, the capability of the Myanmar Air Force remained questionable, due to its absence during the
Battle of Border Post 9631 with
Thailand
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
and the rescue missions related to
Cyclone Nargis in May 2008.
A contract had been signed in December 2015 with
Pakistan
Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...
for the purchase of
JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter, which was jointly developed by
Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) is a major defense contractor and an aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Kamra, Punjab, Pakistan.
The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is one of the largest defense contractors in aerospace and milit ...
, to Myanmar Air Force. However, in March 2018 it was reported that the deal for the purchase of JF-17 Thunder has been suspended by Pakistan. However, four JF-17 Block-IIs were seen at Air Force Day celebrated in December 2018. Under a bilateral contract, the MAF ordered six
Su-30SM fighters from
Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
in 2018.
Since the
military coup in February 2021, Myanmar Air Force aircraft have been used in airstrikes on villages, killing noncombatant civilians including elders, humanitarian workers and children while forcing thousands of others to flee their homes.
Commanders in Chief and Chiefs of Air Staff since 1948
Commander-in-Chief and Chief of Air Staff of Myanmar Air Force in chronological order:
Rank structure
Commissioned officer ranks
The rank insignia of
commissioned officer
An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service.
Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer (NCO), or a warrant officer. However, absent ...
s.
Other ranks
The rank insignia of
non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is an enlisted rank, enlisted leader, petty officer, or in some cases warrant officer, who does not hold a Commission (document), commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority b ...
s and
enlisted personnel.
Organisations
*Air Force headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Naypyitaw)
*Aircraft Production and Repair Base Headquarters (Hmawbi)
*Air Force - Ground Training Base (Meiktila)
*Air Force - Fly Training Base (Shante)
Air bases
*
Pathein Air Base HQ
*
Hmawbi Air Base HQ (former 501 Air Base)
*
Mingaladon Air Base HQ (former 502 Air Base)
*
Magway Air Base HQ
*
Myitkyina Air Base HQ (former 503 Air Base)
*
Myeik Air Base HQ
*
Namsang Air Base HQ
*
Taungoo Air Base HQ
*
Shante Air Base HQ is close to
Meikhtila in neighboring Pyitharyar
*
Meiktila Air Base - helicopter training and operations base
*
Homemalin Air Base HQ

Myanmar Air Force also utilised civilian airfields as front-line air fields in case of foreign invasion.
Air defence
The Office of the chief of Air Defence is one of the major branches of the
Tatmadaw. It was established as the Air Defence Command in 1997 but was not fully operational until late 1999. It was renamed the Bureau of Air Defence in the early 2000s.In early 2000s, the Tatmadaw established the Myanmar Integrated Air Defence System (MIADS) with help from
Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
,
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the List of European countries by area, second-largest country in Europe after Russia, which Russia–Ukraine border, borders it to the east and northeast. Ukraine also borders Belarus to the nor ...
and
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
. It is a tri-service bureau with units from all three branches of
Myanmar Armed Forces. All Air Defence assets except Anti-Aircraft Artillery are integrated into MIADS.
Equipment
Aircraft
Armament
Radars
The Air Force has several radar installations including the three-dimensional surveillance
YLC-2 Radar, the
P-37 Early-warning radar
An early-warning radar is any radar system used primarily for the long-range detection of its targets, i.e., allowing defences to be alerted as ''early'' as possible before the intruder reaches its target, giving the air defences the maximum tim ...
system, the
JLP-40 defensive radar, and the Galaxy
EWR system, which is linked with
Integrated Air Defence office.
[
]
Markings
Myanmar national insignia (white triangle with yellow field in the centre and borders in blue) is usually applied on six positions. The serialling system of Myanmar Air Force aircraft is suggested to serve as both – unit and individual aircraft identity, this could not be confirmed so far, however. Most of the older aeroplanes carried the serials with the prefix "UB" and the numbers in Burmese. Sometimes the serials were outlined in white. Combat aircraft generally carry serials in black.
Accidents and incidents
On 24 January 1980, a Burma Air Force FH-227 crashed when an engine failed shortly after take-off, killing all but one of the 44 people on board. One person on the ground was injured.
On 11 June 2014, a Mig-29UB caught fire and crashed on to farmland near Myothit township of Magway at 8:30 a.m. (local time). The two pilots safely ejected.
On 10 February 2016, a Beech 1900 aircraft crashed after taking off from Naypidaw Airport, killing 5 military personnel.
On 14 June 2016, an Mi- 2 helicopter crashed near the Yangon–Mandalay Expressway at being refueled at the Taungngu airbase, killing three military servicemen on board.
2017 Myanmar Air Force Shaanxi Y-8 crash: On 7 June 2017, a Shaanxi Y-8 was reported missing west to Dawei. The aircraft was carrying 122 people. There were no survivors.
On 3 April 2018, An F-7 fighter aircraft of Taungoo Air Base crashed into a farm near KyunKone Village in Taungoo
Taungoo (, ''Tauñngu myoú''; ), also spelled Toungoo and formerly Toung-ngú, is a district-level city in the Bago Region of Myanmar, 220 km from Yangon, towards the north-eastern end of the division, with mountain ranges to the east a ...
. The aircraft was on a training route during the crash while trying to land the ground at around 11:30 am, killing its pilot.
On 16 October 2018, two F-7Ms crashed near Magway, Myanmar
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
, killing both pilots and a civilian on the ground. Both aircraft struck a broadcast tower. One plummeted into a rice paddy, while the other nose-dived near a Buddhist pagoda in the Magway region
Magway Region (, ; formerly Magway Division) is an administrative divisions of Myanmar, administrative division in central Myanmar. It is the second largest of Myanmar's seven divisions, with an area of . Pa-de Dam (ပဒဲဆည်) is one of ...
of central Myanmar.
On 3 May 2021, one Mi-35 helicopter was shot down near the town of Moemauk in Kachin province by the Kachin Independence Army in response to the MAF's air raid. There was no confirmation from the MAF nor the KIA on which AA system was used by the KIA in the incident.
On 11 June 2021, a Beechcraft 1900
The Beechcraft 1900 is a U.S made twin-engine turboprop regional airliner manufactured by Beechcraft. It is also used as a freight aircraft and corporate transport, and by several governmental and military organizations. With customers favoring ...
crashed on its landing approach to Pyin Oo Lwin's airport, killing 12 people including a senior Buddhist monk, the abbot of Zay Kone Monastery in Pyinmana.
On 16 February 2022, an A-5 fighter jet crashed near Ohn Taw village in Sagaing Region.
On 29 March 2022, an Mi- 17 helicopter crashed and injured five people on board near Hakha, Chin State.
On 11 November 2023, a K-8W trainer aircraft of the Myanmar Air Force crashed in Hpruso Township, Karenni State. Local rebels claimed to have shot it down, while the Myanmar Air Force claimed that it was a mechanical failure, and the pilot was later captured.
On 3 January 2024, an Mi- 17 was shot down by the Kachin Independence Army using FN-6 MANPAD in Waimaw Township, Kachin State
Kachin State (; Jingpho language, Kachin: ) is the northernmost administrative divisions of Myanmar, state of Myanmar. It is bordered by China to the north and east (Tibet Autonomous Region, Tibet and Yunnan, respectively), Shan State to the sou ...
, killing all seven people on board.
On 16 January 2024, the Kachin Independence Army successfully shot down an FTC-2000G trainer/fighter of the Myanmar Air Force in the Namhpatkar area of northern Shan State.
In January 2024, a Myanmar Air Force Y-8 on a mission to evacuate troops who had sought refuge in Mizoram, India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
, overshot its landing in Lengpui Airport. There were no deaths but the plane was badly damaged.
On 29 January 2024, the Karen National Liberation Army shot down a Junta helicopter above Myawaddy Township near the Thai border. During the incident Brigadier General Aye Min Naung, the 44th LI Division commander, Colonel Soe Tun Lwin, LI Battalion 9's acting commander, pilot Colonel Toe Oo and two army captains were supposedly killed according to military sources.
On 29 February 2024, a MiG-29SMT fighter of Myanmar Air Force crashed in southwest of Salin District, Magway Region. This aircraft crashed when it was on its way to combat mission, Myanmar military blamed the crash on a technical failure. One pilot ejected successfully and escaped the crash.
On 2 August 2024, a Myanmar Air Force Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin crashed after take off near Hmawbi Airport, Yangon. The aircraft was on a training flight and the cause of the crash was blamed on an engine failure. 2 were injured and 2 were killed. The deceased were identified as Maj-Gen Soe Tin Latt and Copilot Col Myo Thaung.
On 20 May 2025, a Myanmar Air Force Mil Mi-17 was shot down by an FPV drone of the Kachin Independence Army while transporting reinforcements to the city of Bhamo, and crashed 14 miles from Shwegu. Reportedly, all 18 passengers onboard were killed, including the pilot.
On 10 June 2025, a Myanmar Air Force Guizhou JL-9 was shot down using M2 Browning
The M2 machine gun or Browning .50-caliber machine gun (informally, "Ma Deuce") is a heavy machine gun that was designed near the end of World War I by John Browning. While similar to Browning's M1919 Browning machine gun, which was chambered ...
machine guns by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), a Myanmar rebel militia, during operations over the Sagaing Region. The aircraft crashed approximately 140 kilometres west of Mandalay. The fate of the pilot(s) remains unconfirmed.
See also
*Myanmar Army
The Myanmar Army (; ) is the largest branch of the Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar, and has the primary responsibility of conducting land-based military operations. The Myanmar Army maintains the second largest active force in Southea ...
*Myanmar Navy
The Myanmar Navy (; ) is the naval warfare branch of the Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar. With 19,000 active personnel, the navy operates more than 227 vessels. Prior to 1988, the navy was small, and its role in counterinsurgency, counte ...
* Military intelligence of Myanmar
* Myanmar Police Force
References
Bibliography
*
*
*Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". ''Flight International
''Flight International'', formerly ''Flight'', is a monthly magazine focused on aerospace. Published in the United Kingdom and founded in 1909 as "A Journal devoted to the Interests, Practice, and Progress of Aerial Locomotion and Transport", i ...
'', Vol. 182, No. 5370, 11–17 December 2012. pp. 40–64. .
*
*''World Aircraft Information Files''. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 333 Sheet 05
{{Air forces
Military of Myanmar
Air forces by country
Military units and formations established in 1947
Aviation in Myanmar
Defence agencies of Myanmar