(VIDEO) Chinese Military Fires Anti-Aircraft Rounds in Attempt to Down Myanmar MiG-29
(VIDEO) – A video that recently circulated on social media platforms shows Chinese military personnel firing tracer rounds at a Myanmar fighter jet. The incident is believed to have occurred along the border between the two countries on October 19.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Recent reports circulating on social media indicate that Chinese military personnel fired anti-aircraft rounds at a Myanmar Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet conducting airstrikes near the two countries’ shared border.
The reports suggest that the Russian-made MiG-29 was involved in bombing operations targeting strongholds of anti-government armed groups in Myanmar.
A viral video on social media allegedly shows Chinese troops firing tracer rounds at the Myanmar fighter jet, an incident believed to have occurred on October 19.
It remains unclear which armed group the Myanmar fighter jet was targeting during the operation.
Northern Myanmar, especially along the border with China, has long been a battlefield between Myanmar’s military and various ethnic-based anti-government groups fighting for autonomy and minority rights.
One of the largest such groups is the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), representing the Kachin ethnic group.
Another key player in northern Myanmar is the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which controls a significant portion of northern Shan State bordering China and is known to have close ties with Beijing.
Although the UWSA signed a formal ceasefire with the Myanmar government, tensions remain high, with the risk of renewed violence ever-present.
The UWSA is regarded as one of the most well-equipped and organized armed factions in the region.
Other significant anti-government factions include the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), representing the Ta’ang ethnic group, and the Arakan Army, which operates in western Myanmar.
Myanmar’s MiG-29
China officially denies any involvement with these anti-government armed groups, emphasizing its close diplomatic ties with Myanmar’s central government in Naypyidaw to safeguard its strategic and economic interests in Southeast Asia.
However, military analysts believe that Beijing maintains indirect influence over some of these groups to protect its interests, particularly along the shared border regions.
There are also allegations of direct ties between China and the KIA, including reports of illegal arms trafficking and trade between the two parties.
Despite Beijing’s denials, the KIA is believed to source much of its weaponry from China.
Myanmar’s use of MiG-29 jets for cross-border bombing missions is not unprecedented.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) rebel group, equipped with heavy machine guns used to shoot down Myanmar military aircraft and helicopters. (Getty Images photo)
The Myanmar Air Force has frequently deployed these Russian-made jets, which were acquired in the mid-2000s as part of efforts to modernize its air capabilities, for operations near the Myanmar-China border.
In addition to the MiG-29s, Myanmar has recently received two of six Su-30SME fighter jets from Russia, which has become Naypyidaw’s primary arms supplier.
The air force also operates 16 JF-17 “Thunder” jets, a product of a joint development between Pakistan and China, alongside several aging Chinese-made fighters. – DSA