Senior General Min Aung Hlaing underscored that superior air power not only allows for domi­nance, control, and suppression of the enemy but also significantly en­hances the morale and combat effective­ness of own forces.

 

In commemoration of the 77th Anni­versary of Tatmadaw (Air), a ceremony to commission aircraft and helicopters into service took place at Flying Training Base in Meiktila Station yesterday morning, attended by Chairman of the State Admin­istration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

 

Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General highlighted that commissioning aircraft and helicopters into service at the Tatmadaw (Air) aims to improve its capacity of military operations and other flight duties as well as combat power and capacity of the Tatmadaw.

 

He noted that in analyzing ongoing wars and armed conflicts across the globe in the present era, it becomes evident that aviation and space power play a critical role in achieving victory of wars.

 

The Senior General emphasized that superior air power not only allows for dominance, control, and suppression of the enemy but also significantly enhances the morale and combat effectiveness of own forces.

He pointed out that Tat­madaw (Air) needs to continu­ously monitor, analyze, and eval­uate the evolving situations and adapt progressively and appro­priately to achieve development.

 

He stated that the newly commissioned aircraft and heli­copters should be handled with care, elevating the honour of the Tatmadaw, urging efforts to build and strive for a modern and highly capable Tatmadaw (Air) that can effectively defend and safeguard the nation at all times.

 

The Senior General high­lighted that the full capacity in utilizing owned aircraft, heli­copters, and weapon systems to their maximum capability is a key requirement for conducting operations effectively.

 

Currently, he continued that competition among pow­erful nations continues, leading to consequences such as inter­ference and attempts to exert influence over small countries in various sectors.

 

Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung spoke words of appreciation for commission­ing the aircraft while Chief of Staff (Air) Lt-Gen Zaw Win Myint declared commissioning the aircraft and helicopters into service.

 

Two freighter helicopters bearing the State flag and Tat­madaw flag flanked by two light freighter helicopters saluted the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.

 

Four light freighter heli­copters in Composite Box For­mation, two reconnaissance aircraft manufactured by the Tatmadaw (Air) and one train­ing aircraft in Composite Trail Formation, one freighter and two medium freighter aircraft in Composite Arrow Head For­mation, three jet fighters in Composite Trail Formation, two interceptors and two multipur­pose jet fighters in Composite Box Formation, three fighters in Composite Arrow Head For­mation, one training aircraft, and one multi-purpose jet fight­er and post fourth generation multipurpose heavy jet fight­er in Composite Arrow Head Formation saluted the Senior General.

 

A fighter demonstrated skills of Zoom Climb Maneuver in speed of 900 kilometres per hour whereas Su-30 SME fighter flied in Oblique Loop Maneuver, Multi Roll, High AOA Loop, dis­playing flares.

 

The Senior General and party released 77 birds in com­memoration of the 77th Anni­versary of Tatmadaw (Air) and viewed round the commissioned aircraft and helicopters. He cor­dially greeted the pilots and gave cash awards.

 

Also present at the ceremo­ny were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, the wife of the Senior General, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Maung Maung Aye and his wife, retired Com­manders-in-Chief (Air) and their wives, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Htein Win and his wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung and his wife, union-level dignitaries and their wives, Union ministers and their wives, the Mandalay Re­gion Chief Minister and his wife and officials.

 

MTX-1A and MTX-1B re­connaissance aircraft were manufactured by the Tatmad­aw (Air) through reverse en­gineering technology. MTX-1A was successfully operated on 25 March 2021.

 

Based on experiences of manufacturing MTX-1A, Tat­madaw members from Tatmad­aw (Air) manufactured MTX-1B aircraft installed Turboprop en­gine and Glass Cockpit System with modern communication systems. MTX-1B was success­fully operated on test in March 2024.

 

On the evening of 14 De­cember, the Senior General and party viewed round avia­tion documents, uniforms of Tatmadaw (Air) used in suc­cessive eras, documentary photos, documentary photos of Commanders-in-Chief (Air), historic aircraft and helicopters and their battle records, avion­ics equipment from aircraft and helicopters, scale models of new generation fighters, arms and ammunition used at Tatmadaw (Air), documentary photos of gallantry medal and title win­ners of Tatmadaw (Air), pho­tos on commissioning aircraft and helicopters into services, training of Tatmadaw members, international relations, develop­ment of Tatmadaw (Air), pres­entation of pilot awards and aviation electronic machinery produced by Tatmadaw (Air) at the commemorative exhibition.

 

The Senior General, his wife and party visited the sou­venir shops, traditional food­stuff shops and the book store of relevant airbases and sales of personal goods produced by Tatmadaw and cordially greeted Tatmadaw members and fami­lies. — MNA/TTA