Myanmar is getting four more Russian warplanes
Myanmar is getting four more warplanes from Russia. Sukhoi SU-30SM model fighter jets will be delivered very soon. A spokesman for Myanmar's junta government confirmed the information on Tuesday (September 20).
Fighting has raged between junta forces and rebel fighters in Myanmar's Shan, Chin and Rakhine states since a military coup last year. The junta forces are carrying out airstrikes against resistance fighters and civilians. In the meantime, Myanmar received two Su-30 fighter jets in March this year.
This time, the Southeast Asian country is going to get four more Russian warplanes. Junta government spokesman Ja Min Tun said that during his visit to Russia this month, the head of the junta government, Min Aung Hlaing, spoke with the Russian authorities about the delivery of warplanes. He said the warplanes will be delivered soon.
According to the Irrawaddy report, Myanmar signed a $204 million deal with Russia in 2018 to purchase six advanced fighter jets. Moscow is supplying the planes under that contract. Two have already been delivered. There are four more left.
According to the news, according to the agreement, the country sent not only warplanes, but also several trainers and engineers to Myanmar. Trainers and engineers are assisting the Myanmar Air Force in operating the fighter jets.
Several former Air Force officers who joined the military anti-coup movement said that several Russian pilots and engineers are stationed at the capital Naypyidaw and Mandalay air bases to train the Junta's air force.
Myanmar's wartime assets are usually kept in operation areas; Especially in the border areas of the country. However, two new Su-30 fighter jets were deployed at Naypyidaw International Airport.
The year after the Rohingya genocide, Myanmar signed an agreement to buy Su-30 fighter jets with Russia. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Soigu visited Myanmar at that time. Moscow agreed to sell six aircraft during the visit.
At that time, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Alexander Fomin said, these planes will become the main combat aircraft of the Myanmar Air Force. The statement also said that the territorial sovereignty of the country can become the main weapon to counter the terrorist threat.
Earlier, Myanmar bought several other warplanes of some models from Russia. These include MiG-29, Yak-130 and Mi24 helicopter gunships.
In late August 2017, Myanmar carried out a 'genocide' against the Rohingya, a local minority ethnic group. At that time, the Rohingyas took refuge in Bangladesh after being subjected to unprecedented torture by the Myanmar army. The number of Rohingyas who have taken refuge is more than 11 lakh.
United Nations and several countries have described the torture by the Myanmar army as an 'ethnic cleansing campaign'. However, the Myanmar army has been denying this allegation since the beginning. Most countries and organizations, including the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, have criticized the Rohingya persecution, but Russia has stood in favor of Myanmar's military operation.
