Elephants for Jets? Myanmar Reportedly Trades Six Elephants for Russian Su-30SME Fighters
In a formal ceremony conducted at Meiktila Air Base’s Aviation School in Mandalay on December 15 last year, Myanmar officially inducted these sophisticated fighter jets into active service.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Several months ago, Defence Security Asia reported that Russia has successfully concluded its 2018 agreement with Myanmar’s military regime, delivering six advanced Sukhoi Su-30SME multirole fighter jets to bolster the operational capabilities of Myanmar’s Air Force amidst a complex geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia.
In a formal ceremony conducted at Meiktila Air Base’s Aviation School in Mandalay on December 15 last year, Myanmar officially inducted these sophisticated fighter jets into active service.
This development signifies a major upgrade in Myanmar’s air capabilities, enhancing its strategic positioning in a region increasingly marked by military and geopolitical rivalries.
Intriguingly, the transaction between Russia and Myanmar appears to transcend conventional diplomacy.
According to various international defense analyses, Myanmar transferred six elephants—five males and one female—to Russia’s Great Moscow State Circus. Beyond symbolic diplomacy, these elephants reportedly served as an unusual form of barter trade, linked directly to the delivery of the Su-30SME jets.
The exchange notably coincides with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic ties between Russia and Myanmar.
As reported by several defense publications, these elephants, sourced from the wild, represented a distinctive diplomatic gesture by Myanmar, reinforcing its strategic alignment with Moscow.
According to various international defense analyses, Myanmar transferred six elephants—five males and one female—to Russia’s Great Moscow State Circus. Beyond symbolic diplomacy, these elephants reportedly served as an unusual form of barter trade, linked directly to the delivery of the Su-30SME jets.
However, the transaction has also attracted controversy.
Radio France Internationale (RFI) specifically asserts that these elephants were indeed part of a barter arrangement, effectively functioning as partial payment for the jets, valued at around US$400 million (RM1.8 billion) through Russian financial assistance.
The elephants were transported to Moscow aboard a Russian military cargo plane, adding credibility to claims of a deeper transactional relationship between the two countries.
Despite these assertions, the Myanmar government and local media have remained silent on the matter, withholding official confirmation or denial.
Adding further intrigue, a photograph from the official ceremony prominently features Myanmar’s junta leader, General Min Aung Hlaing.
As cited by RFI, this unusual diplomatic transaction “under the general’s direct oversight was reportedly conducted in exchange for the delivery of the Su-30SME fighters.”
Classified as generation 4++ fighters, the Su-30SMEs closely approach fifth-generation performance while leveraging established fourth-generation technology platforms, offering Myanmar a significant leap in operational capabilities.
The phased delivery of these aircraft began with two units arriving in March 2022 and officially joining service by December of the same year.
Subsequent pairs arrived in 2023 and December 2024, fulfilling the original procurement agreement finalized during Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s strategic visit to Myanmar in January 2018.
The Su-30SME fighters, produced by Russia’s renowned Sukhoi Company (a division of the United Aircraft Corporation), are export-specific variants of the highly capable Su-30SM aircraft.
Classified as generation 4++ fighters, the Su-30SMEs closely approach fifth-generation performance while leveraging established fourth-generation technology platforms, offering Myanmar a significant leap in operational capabilities.
Strategically, the Su-30SME greatly enhances Myanmar’s ability to project power.
Its thrust vectoring control system ensures extraordinary maneuverability, a critical advantage in close-combat scenarios.
The Su-30SME fighters, produced by Russia’s renowned Sukhoi Company (a division of the United Aircraft Corporation), are export-specific variants of the highly capable Su-30SM aircraft.
Moreover, its advanced phased-array N011M Bars radar system can simultaneously track multiple aerial and maritime targets, substantially increasing situational awareness and tactical flexibility.
The aircraft’s electronic warfare systems further augment survivability, effectively countering advanced adversary radar and missile threats.
With an extensive fuel capacity complemented by mid-air refueling capabilities, the Su-30SME is well-suited for long-range operations spanning over 3,000 kilometers, thus enabling Myanmar to undertake extended strategic missions across critical maritime and land domains.
Weapon-wise, the Su-30SME is impressively equipped, capable of carrying up to eight tons of diverse munitions across 12 hardpoints.
Its arsenal includes long-range R-77 and short-range R-73 air-to-air missiles, precision-guided anti-ship missiles, and laser-guided munitions, providing robust combat versatility essential for Myanmar’s evolving defense strategy.
With an extensive fuel capacity complemented by mid-air refueling capabilities, the Su-30SME is well-suited for long-range operations spanning over 3,000 kilometers, thus enabling Myanmar to undertake extended strategic missions across critical maritime and land domains.
Myanmar’s acquisition of the Su-30SME signals a definitive effort to enhance its military capabilities significantly.
These advanced multi-role fighters enable Myanmar to strengthen both air defense and offensive strike capacities, reshaping the strategic balance in a region closely watched by international powers.
