Russia’s New Mi-38T Helicopter Sees First Foreign Delivery Joining Myanmar’s Air Force

The Myanmar Air Force has become the first foreign operator of the new Russian Mi-38Ttransport helicopter, and brought three of them into service on November 7 alongside two Chinese Y-8F-200W transport jets. These procurements are expected to significantly enhance logistical capabilities. The country’s armed forces are currently involved in a protracted counterinsurgency campaign against paramiltiary groups supported, financed and armed by multiple countries in the Western world, with the Air Force’s advanced airlift capabilities providing its forces with a distinct advantage. The Mi-38 began development in the final years of the Soviet Union, but saw work delayed by the superpower’s disintegration. It was intended as a successor to the Mi-8/17, which is currently by far the world’s most widely operated military helicopter type. Less than two dozen of the aircraft have been manufactured, with the Russian Armed Forces themselves continuing to rely heavily on the Mi-8 as a result.

The Mi-38T performed its first flight in July 2017, and was designed to accommodate up to 40 passengers. Myanmar orders for the aircraft reflects part of a broader strengthening of defence ties between the Southeast Asian state and Russia, with other major orders ranging from Su-30SM fighter aircraft, to ammunition for the country’s ground forces. Unconfirmed reports indicate that Russia in 2022 re-purchased artillery rounds previously sold to the country, due to domestic shortages which were later backfilled by orders from North Korea. Following the placing of orders for Russian Yak-130 trainers to equip the Myanmar Air Force, the country’s ambassador to Russia Ko Ko Shein in 2019 highlighted that his country could be interested in acquiring Su-57 fifth generation fighters. Older variants of the Russian MiG-29 medium weight fourth generation fighter currently form the backbone of the country’s air force alongside the Su-30SM and the Chinese JF-17.