Nay Pyi Taw November 7
A ceremony to commission new air-planes and helicopters of the Tatmadaw (Air) into service took place at Nay Pyi Taw Air Base this morning, graced by Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Present were Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, SSPC Vice Chairman Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife, Daw Than Than Nwe, Chief of General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Kyaw Swa Lin and wife, Commander-in-Chief(Navy) Admiral Htein Win and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung and wife, union level dignitaries and wives, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander, air base commanders, officers, other ranks and officials of the Tatmadaw (Air) and honoured guests.
In his address, the Senior General said during a 15-year period from 2011 to 2025, Tatmadaw (Air) commissioned its aircraft including helicopters 15 times, thus further reinforcing its air fleet. In addition, power of the existing aircraft of the Air Force were also upgraded. The reinforcement and upgrading programs were very supportive of the Tatmadaw’s national defence and security task, further improving and strengthening the ability to ensure airspace security of Myanmar.
As for the Tatmadaw (Air), transport planes and helicopters are also a vital requirement for the complete success of its national defence and security operations. Furthermore, their various means of supportive roles in nationbuilding and national development, search and rescue missions, environmental protection and conservation are obvious.
Today’s commissioned transport aircraft including helicopters will add extra effectiveness to the abovementioned tasks. Hence, they will surely bring benefits not only to the Tatmadaw, but also to the nation and people. Members of the air crews including pilots, technicians, and personnel of the administrative and supporting sector of the Air Force must exert utmost in all seriousness to skillfully and methodically operate the new aircraft and the support systems and serve their assigned duties well and accomplish their missions.
The current international conflicts and internal situation clearly indicate the essential role of all types of aircraft, drones and UAVs. In this regard, nations are strengthening and modernizing their troops capable of releasing and deploying airpower of the Air Force to the best of their ability. On the other hand, insurgent groups that are non-state actors and illegal business organizations are trying to possess and use aviation resources.
It is common knowledge that geogra-phically, Myanmar is located in a hub and between the two most populous countries of the world. In addition, it lies in an area between South Asia and Southeast Asia and that is close to the seas where the maritime traffic is the heaviest. The country is rich in various kinds of natural resources and a large area of territorial waters and an exclusive economic zone. Naturally, the country has many mountain ranges, natural watercourses and lakes, posing as barriers for trade and transport.
Airpower has become an essential force for the country that is unique from the both viewpoints of geopolitics and political geography, to enjoy and exploit benefits fully. Moreover, it is a must to empower and modernize the Air Force as it is the main force of the country’s aviation resources. So, short-term and long-term plans are adopted through careful calculations to further strengthen and modernize it.
It is evident that air power resources are critically dependent on technological advancements, and he wished to emphasize that Tatmadaw (Air) must constantly study and assess technological changes to maintain continuous operational capability.
In order to possess and utilize highquality aircraft and helicopters, it is essential to not only purchase new ones but also continuously carry out systematic maintenance, handling, modification, and timely upgrades of the existing fleet to ensure they can be used to their full capacity, noting that doing so will significantly reduce costs.
The Senior General wished to provide an update on the current developments in Myanmar, stating that Tatmadaw was compelled to temporarily take over State responsibilities due to various interferences, both domestic and foreign, as well as different forms of instigation, division, and self-interest. He added that, in line with the developing situation, preparations are currently underway to successfully hold a free and fair multi-party democracy general election, which is the aspiration of the public, and the State responsibilities will be handed over to the elected government emerging from this election in accordance with democratic norms.
He stated that as this process is not aligned with the wishes of certain domestic and foreign organizations, they are interfering and hindering the election through various means to prevent it from being held or to disrupt it. He noted that, on the other hand, terrorist insurgents are gradually losing ground due to the combined efforts of Tatmadaw and the public, and in a frenzy, they are attacking, destroying, and looting state-owned roads, bridges, and buildings, as well as the homes and property of the general public, in a desperate attempt to maintain control over the territories they temporarily dominate. He stressed the vital necessity of stopping and crushing these attacks and destruction, adding that Tatmadaw, with the assistance of the public, will continue to press forward with these efforts.
He wished to acknowledge and state that Tatmadaw (Air) was formed on December 15, 1947, and will mark its 78th Anniversary this coming December. He proudly noted that throughout this period, Tatmadaw (Air), as a key component of Tatmadaw, has striven to fully and success-fully carry out various assigned duties. He acknowledged that Tatmadaw (Air) is currently using its air power resources most effectively to successfully and efficiently accomplish its targeted duties. He attributed this success to the balanced cooperation of its three main pillars: the pilots and air crew from the flying sector, the engineers and skilled technicians from the mechanical sector, and the administrators and clerks responsible for command, support, and office work from the administrative sector. He urged them to continue their balanced, cooperative efforts, skillfully and systematically utilizing the aircraft and helicopters entering service today, to fulfill their future operational duties.
Everyone is urged to prove that the MAF is a highly capable one by cherishing and flying aircraft and helicopters commissioned today skillfully and effectively, to enhance fighting cap-abilities of the MAF and make innovations by consistently studying international relations, geopolitical developments and advancement of science and technology, to carry out training, research and development consistently by utilizing aviation resources already possessed effectively, to supervise the processes of research and innovation and prevention of damage and losses by coordinating flight, engineering and administrative pillars, and to exert concerted efforts to perpetuate Myanmar as long as the world exists by preserving the fine traditions of the Tatmadaw like one’s own life.
Then, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung reported to the Senior General on the commissioning ceremony of aircraft and helicopters.
Afterward, Chief of Staff (Air) Lt-Gen Zaw Win Myint announced the commissioning of aircraft and helicopters.
Then, the Senior General accepted a miniature aircraft commemorating the commissioning ceremony from Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung.
Afterward, an air show of air-craft and helicopter squadrons to salute and display capabilities to the Senior General followed. During the air show fly-pasts were made by four Mi-17 helicopters and two Eurocopters in composite formation, by two Bell-206 helicopters and two H-125 helicopters in Composite Box Formation, by one MTX-1B reconnaissance aircraft, one MTX-A reconnaissance aircraft and one Grob-120 TP training air-craft in Trail Formation, by one ATR-72 transport aircraft and two Beech-1900D transport air-craft in Composite Arrow Head Formation, by four K-8 fighter jets in Box Formation, by five MiG-29 multirole jet fighters in Arrow Head Formation and by three Su-30 SME high maneuverable multi-role jet fighters in Arrow Head Formation.
Then, two Su-30 SME post-4th generation supermaneuverable multi-role fighter jets made a fly-past to salute the Senior General and conducted high performance maneuvers.
During the high performance maneuvers, two Su-30 SMEs conducted the Combat Turn Maneuver, in which they attacked a ground target and suddenly turned to the opposite direction to prevent counter attacks.
Then, one Su-30 SME conducted the Barrel Roll Maneuver, in which one Su-30 SME in pursuit of another one by quickly dodg-ing rockets and bullets without changing the original direction.
Afterward, one Su-30 SME conducted the High AOA Loop Maneuver, the Trail Slide Maneuver, in which the aircraft flied upward vertically and decreased the speed to zero to slide downward vertically, the Vertical Roll Maneuver, which is used when an aircraft dodges enemy radars by suddenly flying up to high altitudes.
Then, five MiG-29 multi-role jet fighters conducted the Fan Brake by flying from the facing direction.
Afterward, the Senior General and party sprinkled scented water on commissioned aircraft and helicopters and observed them before posing for documentary photographs.
Then, the Senior General and his wife and party observed the exhibition booths of 15 year’s development of the MAF exhi-bition one booth after another.
Afterward, the Senior General honored and greeted the pilots who participated in the air show and presented cash rewards for them.
