Myanmar Military Expands Air Fleet Amid Key Town Recapture in Civil War
Myanmar's military has commissioned new combat aircraft to enhance its aerial capabilities, according to state media reports on Friday, March 13, 2026. This development coincides with the army's intensified efforts to reclaim territory from resistance forces in the country's protracted civil war.
New Aircraft Commissioned Amid Ongoing Conflict
The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper announced the commissioning but did not specify the exact number or models of the new aircraft. However, military-released photographs indicate the acquisition includes four jet fighters, with two identified as Russian-made Su-30 aircraft, which are commonly utilized for bombing and combat missions.
This marks the sixth instance since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 that new aircraft have been commissioned. That coup triggered widespread armed resistance across Myanmar, leading to a devastating civil war.
International Support and Civilian Impact
Russia and China are significant supporters and arms suppliers to Myanmar's military government, while Western nations have imposed sanctions, including prohibitions on arms sales. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, head of the ruling military government, emphasized the need for a strong air force to "protect the state interest effectively," citing its role in anti-insurgency, counterterrorism, and repelling external aggression operations.
Despite losing substantial territory to pro-democracy People's Defense Forces and ethnic armed groups, the military has recently intensified offensives, achieving several battlefield gains. However, its airstrikes have frequently resulted in civilian casualties. For example, opposition groups reported that between March 5 and March 7, approximately 30 to 40 people were killed in the lower-central Bago region due to military drone, jet fighter, and artillery attacks during a ground offensive.
In a separate incident, the Arakan Army ethnic militia claimed that 116 captured army soldiers were killed in aerial attacks by eight military aircraft in Ann township, Rakhine state, on Sunday. The military has not commented on these reports, which remain unverified independently.
Recapture of Strategic Town Tagaung
In a related development, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported that the military has regained control of the ancient town of Tagaung in northern Mandalay after a weeks-long offensive. Located about 170 kilometers north of Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, Tagaung had been under the control of forces aligned with the opposition National Unity Government since August 2024.
The recapture of Tagaung, the last NUG-controlled town in Mandalay Region, represents a significant setback for opposition groups. Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the NUG, stated that resistance forces withdrew following a military offensive involving large numbers of troops and heavy weapons but maintain positions in surrounding areas.
Criticism and Calls for International Action
Nay Phone Latt criticized the commissioning of new aircraft, asserting it aims to enhance continued airstrikes on civilian areas. He accused the military of "targeting civilians and continuing to carry out mass killings" and urged the international community not to "turn a blind eye to this reality."
As the civil war persists, the military's bolstered air power and territorial recaptures like Tagaung highlight the escalating conflict dynamics, with profound implications for civilian safety and regional stability.
