Junta chief praises Myanmar Air Force days after Mrauk-U hospital bombing

17 Dec 2025

DMG Newsroom

16 December 2025, Mrauk-U

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing praised the Myanmar Air Force (MAF), saying the “good results” achieved so far were due to the courage and dedication of its officers and soldiers.

He made the remarks at the 78th anniversary of the Air Force at Nay Pyi Taw Air Base, six days after the bombing of Mrauk-U Hospital in Arakan State.

He said current military personnel should emulate the Air Force in their service, and that future generations should work together to further enhance the MAF’s capabilities.

Min Aung Hlaing also said the Air Force is being built step by step into a modern and strong force by drawing lessons from the experiences of successive generations.

He said that when the MAF was first established it had only one base and a small number of flight crews, but has since expanded to cover the entire airspace of Myanmar.

A total of 30 aircraft, including fighter jets such as the Su-30SME and Mi-17, as well as reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters, were displayed at the anniversary event.

The military chief said on November 7 that the regime had purchased 127 aircraft and 38 helicopters from Russia this year, including three Mi-38 aircraft and two Y8-F200WB heavy transport aircraft.

The military regime has carried out airstrikes on hospitals, schools, religious buildings and villages where civilians live, using public funds to acquire military aircraft.

On December 10, International Human Rights Day, the military regime bombed Mrauk-U Hospital in Arakan State, killing 33 local residents and injuring 78 others.