Myanmar Receives Batch of Russian-Made Su-30SMEs

The Myanmar Air Force has completed its re-equipment with Russian-made Su-30SME fighter jets.

This was reported by the state-owned Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

The final two aircraft, bearing tail numbers “1901” and “1902,” were displayed during a ceremony at the Meiktila Flight School airfield marking their induction into service.

In total, the country has ordered at least six fighters of this type, although some sources indicate the order may exceed eight aircraft. The jets are being supplied under a contract between the Myanmar government and Rosoboronexport signed in January 2018.

The aircraft were manufactured at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which is under the Rostec state corporation. According to unofficial estimates, the contract is valued at around $400 million and was financed through a Russian loan.

Deliveries of the first aircraft began in 2022. Another two were inducted in December 2023. The aircraft are reportedly assigned to the central operational sector at Naypyitaw air base. Myanmar is also the first export customer for the Su-30SME variant, which is based on the version used by the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Militarnyi previously reported that in February the Belarusian Air Force received a new batch of Su-30SM2 fighters. Following these deliveries, the total number of Su-30 aircraft (SM and SM2 variants) in service with Belarus as of early 2026 is estimated at 19-20 units.