China’s new game in India’s neighborhood, handing over fighter jets to dictatorial army, Myanmar people in danger Trending Global News

Rangoon: China is playing a bilateral game in India’s neighboring country, Myanmar. China recently handed over six more FTC-2000G medium-range fighter jets to Myanmar. The Myanmar military can use these fighter jets to bomb the rebels. In recent days, ethnic rebels have defeated the Myanmar army and captured several major cities. Since then, the Myanmar army has been bombing the rebels with helicopters. A large number of citizens are being targeted by these attacks. Despite this, the Myanmar army is not ready to retreat.

Myanmar ordered in 2020.

According to The Irrawaddy report, Myanmar ordered these fighter jets in 2020. But, due to the Covid pandemic and China’s strict lockdown, their delivery and pilot training were delayed. Myanmar’s military received a delivery of six fighter jets in November 2022, before a second shipment arrived in August this year. A former sergeant who defected from the air force after the 2021 coup said the new planes have been deployed at Namhasan airbase in southern Shan state, where pilots are also being trained.

How powerful is the FTC-2000G fighter jet?

“The Namahsan Air Base personnel posted about the new aircraft,” said the former sergeant, who declined to be named. I have received reports that the government has also purchased equipment for new fighter jets on September 19. The FTC-2000G is an advanced lightweight multi-role trainer/combat aircraft designed and developed by Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation (GAIC) under the supervision of state-owned aerospace and defense firm Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

Which countries have FTC-2000G aircraft?

It is an export variant of the Guizhou JL-9 trainer/fighter aircraft, in service with China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), as well as the Sudanese Army. The two-seat jet fighter can be used for attack, training, air surveillance, patrol missions, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, close air support and air patrol. It can carry up to 3 tonnes of weapons – missiles, rockets or bombs – and is primarily tasked with air strikes against ground targets.

The FTC-2000G aircraft can fly at low altitudes.

According to analysts, it is a low-flying aircraft, designed for strafing. It can only operate at a maximum altitude of 16,000 meters, making it vulnerable to portable surface-to-air missiles, which can go up to 5,000 meters. The arrival of the new fighter jets marks the latest increase in military cooperation between Beijing and the government since Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw in August.