Su-30 combat jets: Russia has finished delivering six Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets to Myanmar. The Army Recognition Group (ARG) announced that Myanmar’s military government now has all the jets it ordered. The last two jets were officially added to the Myanmar Air Force on December 15, during a ceremony at Meiktila Air Base in Mandalay.
This event celebrated the 77th anniversary of the Myanmar Air Force in Yangon and was led by the country’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing. According to the Russian agency World Arms Trade, the total cost of the six jets was about $400 million.
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Last month, the military revealed new combat aircraft and helicopters, including Su-30 jets in an aerial parade. Min Aung Hlaing emphasized the need for pilot training to enhance air operations. At the Air Force’s 75th anniversary in 2023, he blessed the first Su-30 jets with holy water, stating they would strengthen Myanmar’s air power and praising pilots for their efforts in northern Shan State conflicts.
Despite these announcements, the military has faced challenges in northern Shan State. Rebel groups have taken control of most of the area. Reports say that since the 2021 military coup, the junta has used its air force to target residential areas, including schools, hospitals, and places where displaced people live. Nyan Lin Thit Analytica, a group that monitors the military’s actions, reported that airstrikes have increased since 2021. Between January and August 2024, Myanmar’s military conducted 1,639 airstrikes, killing at least 814 people.
About the Su-30 Fighter Jets
The Sukhoi Su-30, called “Flanker” by NATO, is a large fighter jet. It is 22 meters (72 feet) long, with a wingspan of 15 meters (49 feet). It can carry up to 9,400 kilograms (20,723 pounds) of fuel and has a total weight of 24,900 kilograms (54,895 pounds).
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According to The Defense post, Su-30 is equipped with powerful weapons, including a 30-millimeter automatic cannon, bombs, and different types of missiles for attacking air, ground, and sea targets. It has two engines, allowing it to fly at high altitudes of over 17,000 meters (55,774 feet). The jet can travel up to 2,111 kilometers per hour (1,312 miles per hour) and cover a range of 2,963 kilometers (1,841 miles).
Many countries, including India and Ethiopia, use Su-30 fighter jets in their air forces.
