US angrily criticizes Russia for selling Su-30 to Myanmar

The US State Department has criticized Russia’s decision to sell Su-30 fighter jets to Myanmar, accusing Moscow of “exacerbating the situation” at a time when most countries around the world are trying to resolve the conflict between the Myanmar government and the Muslim Rohingya people.

Russian Su-30 fighter.

The US State Department expressed its dissatisfaction with Russia's decision to sell six Su-30 fighter jets to Myanmar. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that while most countries in the world are looking for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Myanmar, Moscow is doing the opposite.

Not just using “Chinese goods”

The Burmese military leadership has recently shown a particularly active interest in Russian weapons, including aircraft. Currently, the country's air bases include Chinese-made aircraft such as the F-7, which is similar to the MiG-21.

However, in the current situation, the need to modernize the air force is necessary, so in recent years Myanmar has increased its purchases. Most recently in 2009, the country received 29 MiG-29 fighter jets.

And recently during Mr. Shoigu's visit, the Myanmar representative affirmed: "We believe that the Su-30 will become the main fighter of the Myanmar Air Force to protect territorial integrity as well as defeat terrorist threats."

Not only is Russia a new arms supplier to Myanmar, the country's leaders have also visited Germany and Austria, countries with developed defense industries. It is clear that Myanmar is implementing plans to diversify its weapons and equipment.

What is the crime of "Su-30"?

As the US State Department says, it seems that they cannot help in the conflict with the Rohingya and turn around to blame Russia for the “wrong” contracts.

Therefore, the allegation that the purchase of six Su-30s is related to the campaign against Rohingya insurgents is quite strange. It should be remembered that Su-30s are used to attack targets at sea as well as to destroy targets on the ground.

“They will not be able to destroy a faction. Moreover, the fact that American-made F-16 aircraft will be used and they are present in Myanmar,” said Doctor of Military Sciences, Reserve Navy Colonel Konstantin Sivkov.

“When the Americans sold F-16 fighter jets to Myanmar, they did not care much about the fate of the rebels,” Mr. Sivkov emphasized.

He stressed that the US accusations regarding this contract are due to their fear and efforts to prevent the strong rise of the Russian defense industry. Especially since more and more countries, including US allies, are interested in and want to buy Russian weapons.

Chi Huy