First two JF-17B Thunder fighter trainer aircraft handed over to Myanmar


On 15 December 2019, the first two JF-17B Thunder fighter trainer aircraft were officially handed over to the Myanmar Defence Force at Mandalay-Meiktila airport during the celebration of the 72nd Defence Force Day.


First two JF 17B Thunder fighter trainer aircraft handed over to Myanmar Myanmar Defence Force's JF-17B (Picture source: Myanmar and Asean Military Updates)


This year's celebration saw the introduction of two JF-17B Thunders (serials 1706 and 1707), two unknown Mi-35P attack helicopters and six Yak-130 training aircraft (serials 1810 to 1814 plus one unidentified).

Some of the Yak-130s were already noted in Myanmar in January 2019. Regarding the JF-17B Thunders, serial 1707 was seen at the CAC factory airfield in Chengdu (China) in March 2019. We are not aware of any additional Mi-35Ps delivered after the 71st Defence Force Day in December 2018.