In what marks the first time Russia has successfully exported its new Mi-38 helicopters, the Myanmar Armed Forces have revealed the reception of a batch consisting of three units—two belonging to the transport variant and another configured specifically for VIP use. In this way, Moscow has finally turned into concrete results the agreement established under a contract signed with Naypyidaw in 2020, reflecting a significant delay in meeting the needs of the platform’s first international customer.
Delving into the details available, it is known that the helicopters were manufactured by the state-owned Russian company Kazan Helicopters. Reports also indicate that the transfer of the first Mi-38 took place in September, when the first images began circulating showing one of the helicopters operating within the country during what appeared to be its test flights. During the formal induction ceremony, all three units were displayed side by side on the ground, with the event presided over by General Min Aung Hlaing.
A brief look at the history of this acquisition shows a process marked by numerous peculiarities—both in terms of the delays and their causes, as well as the eventual publication of the information now known. In this regard, Russia announced in 2020 that it had concluded an agreement with a Southeast Asian country, but it was not until 2022 that a leak of government documents by Myanmar’s political opposition revealed the identity of the buyer and the more than 80 million euros invested to carry it out, including the helicopters, maintenance kits, training, and other associated elements.
As for the delayed delivery—no less than five years between the signing of the contract and the aforementioned ceremony—local sources indicated that it was due to the continued development of the Klimov engines that power the Mi-38 platform, while pointing as well to the country’s ongoing political instability following the 2021 coup d’état. Regarding the first cause, it was also noted that this has led to delays in the two deliveries intended for the Russian Ministry of Defence, in addition to the nine aircraft requested by the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Finally, reviewing the main technical characteristics of the platform, the Mi-38 is known to be approximately 20 meters long and capable of transporting up to 30 people or around 6,000 kilograms of internal cargo, depending on the requirement. Its propulsion system consists of two Klimov TV7-117V turboshaft engines, each providing an estimated 2,800 horsepower, enabling speeds of up to 296 kilometers per hour and a range of 890 kilometers. Furthermore, its structure allows it to operate in a wide range of climatic conditions, from tropical environments to high-mountain regions with extremely low temperatures, complemented by the capability to operate both day and night.
Illustrative images
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