Myanmar Rebels Attack Government River Tug With FPV Drone

Myanmar rebels attacked a government vessel on the Chindwin River using an FPV drone.

The corresponding video was published by defense observer War Noir.

The footage shows an attack on what appears to be a river tug. The vessel was likely supporting logistics operations for government forces.

The FPV drone struck the tug in the unprotected lower section of the superstructure. The upper section, where the wheelhouse is located, was protected by an anti-drone net.

The vessel appears to have sustained only limited damage and continued underway. The incident highlights the growing drone threat on Myanmar’s rivers.

It was recently reported that the Myanmar Navy has begun equipping its river patrol craft with improvised anti-drone protection, including discarded vehicle tires and metal mesh structures.

The published images show a Y301 river gunboat built at the Uljanik Shipyard in Pula, present-day Croatia.

However, the effectiveness of such protection remains questionable.

If the tires catch fire, the flames could quickly spread to other protective structures, making the fire extremely difficult for the crew to extinguish.

The rebels have also increasingly targeted government aircraft. On June 24, fighters from the People’s Defense Force (PDF) reportedly struck a Myanmar Air Force Mi-17 helicopter with an FPV drone.