Myanmar Inducts Russian Mi-38T Helicopters and Chinese Y-8 Transport Planes Amid Escalating Conflict

Myanmar commissions new Russian and Chinese aircraft as fighting intensifies

Myanmar's ruling military government says it formally inducted three Russian Mi-38T helicopters and two Chinese Y-8 transport aircraft into the Tatmadaw's air fleet on Nov. 7 in the capital, Naypyitaw. The delivery underscores ongoing military ties with Russia and China despite Western sanctions and international pressure to halt arms transfers amid Myanmar's civil war.

Photos released by the military show the new platforms, which analysts say are well suited for transporting troops into mountainous combat zones and strengthening the junta's ability to project air power across contested terrain. The United Nations estimates Russia and China have continued supplying Myanmar with military equipment worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

"The current international conflicts and internal situation clearly indicate the essential role of all types of aircraft," said Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in the military's commissioning statement.

In its Nov. 7 release the military said the transport aircraft will add "extra effectiveness" to the Tatmadaw's efforts to secure Myanmar's airspace. Defense-intelligence firm Janes noted that Myanmar appears to be the first known export customer for Russia's Mi-38T model.

Analysts and former Tatmadaw officers now aligned with the resistance have warned the new aircraft are likely to be used to increase airlift operations and broaden offensive operations nationwide. "The arrival of helicopters and planes just shows the Myanmar military continues to acquire important kit despite economic and diplomatic pressures, with Russia as a critical lifeline," said Morgan Michaels of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Conflict context and recent gains

The army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, triggering nationwide protests that were violently suppressed. Many opponents then took up arms, and Myanmar remains embroiled in a multi-front civil war between the Tatmadaw, newly formed pro-democracy People’s Defense Forces and longstanding ethnic militias.

Although the military has lost territory in many areas, it has leveraged superior heavy weaponry and air capability to retake land in several recent operations. In the last six months the junta says it reclaimed four key towns in northern Shan state along a major highway linking central Myanmar to China, including Lashio. Following China-mediated talks in late October, the military also reached an agreement with a major ethnic group to retake two additional towns, among them Mogok, a ruby-mining center in upper Mandalay region.

With a contested Dec. 28 election approaching — widely criticized by opponents as illegitimate while Aung San Suu Kyi remains detained and her party banned — the military has intensified campaigns to reclaim territory. Fighting has disrupted voting plans: the junta has said polls will be held in phases and will not take place simultaneously in all of Myanmar's 330 townships due to security concerns.

Implications: The addition of new helicopters and transport aircraft is likely to increase the Tatmadaw's operational reach and tempo, particularly in remote and mountainous areas. Observers warn this could lead to escalated offensive operations and heightened risk to civilians in contested zones.