Myanmar Air Forces Receives Unspecified Number of Russian Su-30SME Fighter Jets

The Myanmar Air Force (MAF) recently received an unspecified number Su-30SME fighters under a $400 million contract for the supply of 6 aircraft, concluded between Rosoboronexport and the Myanmar Defense Ministry in January 2018.

Myanmar has so far confirmed receiving two Su-30 SME fighter jets. "Two aircraft have already been delivered," Charlie Than, Myanmar's then trade minister, had told the Russian RIA state news agency in September 2023. The MAF officially inducted the two fighter planes in December 2023.

Russian sources said the number of aircraft delivered to Myanmar in the current batch could be only two as much of the production of these aircraft is diverted to the war effort in Ukraine.

The aircraft are equipped with N011M Bars-R onboard PFAR radars capable of detecting targets with an image intensifier of 1 sq. m at a distance of 145-150 km, as well as OEPrNK-30SM optical-electronic sighting systems capable of passively detecting F-16Vs in afterburner mode at a distance of up to 80-90 km in the rear hemisphere and up to 40-50 km in the front hemisphere, the authoritative Russian Weapons Telegram commented.

It is significant that Russia has kept up the tempo of exports of this much valued fighter jet at a time when its need is high due to the war in Ukraine. The Su-30SM, the domestic version of the Su-30, is used for launching missiles, bombs as well as for reconnaissance. The Su-30SME is the export version.