Myanmar Allegedly Traded Six Elephants as Payment for Six Russian-Made Su-30SME Fighter Jets

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – On January 7, Defence Security Asia reported that Russia had fulfilled a 2018 contract by delivering six Sukhoi Su-30SME fighter jets to the Myanmar Air Force.

According to a statement, the Myanmar Air Force held a ceremony on December 15 at the Aviation School at Meiktila Air Base in Mandalay, where all six Su-30SME jets were officially commissioned into service.

However, just days ago, Bulgarian Military, a defense website, published an unusual report stating that the Myanmar government had gifted six elephants—five male and one female—to the Great Moscow State Circus.

According to sources cited by the website, the six elephants, captured from the wild, were part of a “diplomatic gesture” coinciding with the delivery of six Su-30SME fighter jets to the Myanmar Air Force.

The gift of six elephants was reportedly part of “elephant diplomacy” and a symbol of the strong ties between the two nations, commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Myanmar.

The Myanmar government is well-known for using unique diplomatic gestures to strengthen international relations.

Meanwhile, Radio France Internationale (RFI) alleged that the six wild elephants were part of a payment by Myanmar’s military-led government for the six Sukhoi Su-30SME fighter jets it purchased from Moscow in 2018.

The six elephants were reportedly transported to Moscow via a Russian military cargo plane.

However, Radio France Internationale did not disclose its sources, and there is no official confirmation from the Myanmar government or local media to substantiate the claim that the elephants were part of the payment for the Su-30SME fighter jets.

One of the official photos featuring the six elephants also includes Myanmar junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, according to Radio France Internationale.

“Personally overseen by junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, the gift of these elephants to Russia was in exchange for six Su-30SME fighter jets.

These jets were delivered to Myanmar this year for $400 million (RM1.8 billion) under a deal financed by a Russian loan,” the publication stated.

The first two Su-30SME jets were delivered to Myanmar in March 2022 and officially entered service on December 15 of the same year.

Two more were delivered in 2023, with the final two arriving in December 2024, completing the contract.

The agreement to acquire six Su-30SME jets for the Myanmar Air Force was reached during Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s visit to Myanmar in January 2018.

The contract, valued at $400 million (RM1.8 billion), involves the export variant of the Su-30SM fighter jet, developed by Russia’s Sukhoi company under United Aircraft Corporation.

The Su-30SME is specifically designed for the international market and offers capabilities comparable to the domestic version used by the Russian Air Force.

Classified as a 4++ generation fighter, the Su-30SME incorporates near-fifth-generation capabilities while retaining fourth-generation technologies as its foundation.

The Su-30SME can perform air-to-air, air-to-ground, and maritime strike missions, making it a versatile combat platform for various operations.

Equipped with thrust-vectoring control, the Su-30SME boasts exceptional maneuverability, enabling it to excel in close-range dogfights.

The aircraft features a phased-array radar (N011M Bars) capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously, including ground and naval threats.

It is also equipped with electronic warfare (EW) systems to enhance resilience against enemy threats.

With a large fuel capacity and in-flight refueling capability, the Su-30SME has a range exceeding 3,000 km, making it ideal for long-range missions.

The fighter can carry up to eight tons of payload, including missiles, bombs, and rockets, mounted on 12 hardpoints.

Its armament includes long-range air-to-air missiles like the R-77 and R-73, as well as anti-ship missiles and laser-guided bombs.

The procurement of Su-30SME fighter jets is seen as Myanmar’s effort to enhance its air force capabilities.

As an export variant of the Su-30SM, the fighter offers advanced multi-role combat capabilities, including high maneuverability and modern avionics.

This allows Myanmar to bolster its air defense and conduct more effective strike operations.

– DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA