Rebels in Myanmar attack junta helicopters with FPV drones

Myanmar guerrillas have begun attacking junta helicopters with strike FPV drones.

War Noir analyst has released a video showing strikes on Mi-17 helicopters.

The so-called “Kachin Independence Army” first used this method.

The footage shows a drone exploding near the helicopter’s main rotor.

Such attacks could force the junta to reduce the use of helicopters to transport troops and ammunition to areas where rebels are concentrated.

The Mi-17 helicopters were supplied to the Myanmar military by Russia. The Myanmar Air Force received Russian Mi-17s in several batches in 1995, 1997, 2004, and 2013.

These included both new and used aircraft (21 units in total). In addition, Myanmar purchased 12 Russian Mi-24PM helicopters between 2010 and 2019.

The rebels’ FPV drones may force the junta’s air force to relocate and act more cautiously.

Previously, rebels struck local junta troops with a drone equipped with unguided aircraft missiles.

Myanmar rebels have also received Chinese FN-6 portable anti-aircraft missile systems to counter junta aircraft.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) opposes the 2021 coup in Myanmar, when democratically elected State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other leaders of the ruling party were arrested by the military, which seized power.

The military claimed that the election results, in which Aung San Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory, were rigged. Election commission officials rejected these allegations.