II. International Legal Framework and Analysis
80
Model
Manufacturer
Type
Description
Events
Mi-17 (also
known as the
improved
export version
of the Mi-8)302
Kazan Helicopters,
a subsidiary
of Russian
Helicopters303
Transport
Helicopter
Medium twin-turbine
transport helicopter used
by the Myanmar military
for logistical support, troop
transport, and resupply
operations.
On January 3, 2024, one Mi-17
helicopter reportedly crashed
following an attack by the KIA
in Waingmaw Township, Kachin
State.306
A total of 22 Mi-17
helicopters have been
delivered to the Myanmar
military between 1995 and
2024, with the most recent
delivery of three helicopters
in 2024. It is estimated
that one of these recent
deliveries is designated for
VIP transport.304 Currently,
13 Mi-17 helicopters are
operational.305
On May 20, 2025, a Mi-17
helicopter was reportedly
shot down near Bhamo in
Kachin State. Another Mi-17
accompanying the mission was
also hit and made an emergency
landing. The attack marked one
of the most high-profile drones
strikes on junta aircraft since the
coup.307
302 Airforce Technology, “Mi-8 / Mi-17 Hip Multimission Helicopter,” June 11, 2000, https://www.airforce-technology.com/
projects/mi8-17-hip/?cf-view.
303 Centre for Information Resilience (Myanmar Witness), The 77th Anniversary of Myanmar’s Air Force (MAF) Day - A Review
Of MAF’s Claimed New Acquisitions, December 30, 2024, https://www.info-res.org/myanmar-witness/reports/the-77thanniversary-of-myanmars-air-force-day-a-review-of-mafs-claimed-new-acquisitions/, p. 13.
304 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Arms Transfer Database, accessed July 29, 2025, https://
armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferData/transferDetail?entityId=821571, https://armstransfers.sipri.
org/ArmsTransfer/TransferData/transferDetail?entityId=821573,
https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/
TransferData/transferDetail?entityId=824823, and https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferData/
transferDetail?entityId=824821.
305 Flight Global, 2025 World Air Forces Directory, November 25, 2024, https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/2025-worldair-forces-directory/160846.article.
306 “Junta Helicopter Crashes Following KIA Attack in Northern Myanmar”, Radio Free Asia, January 1, 2024, https://www.
rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/junta-helicopter-down-01032024054343.html.
307 Min Maung, Maung Shwe Wah, “Officer Among 18 Found Dead in Junta Helicopter Downed by Kachin Fighters,” Myanmar
Now, May 23, 2025, https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/officer-among-18-found-dead-in-junta-helicopter-downedby-kachin-fighters/.