From October 22, 2024, to at least February 1, 2025, Myanmar’s Army forces have been using fixed-wing UAVs modified for use as improvised loitering munitions to target militias in regions across the country where active fighting is ongoing. The areas targeted are Kayin State in the east, Mon State in the south and Rakhine State in the west. The remains of at least two distinct UAV models have been documented following the attacks on militia bases and positions. The more common model in use is a lightweight, delta-shaped plastic UAV with an electric motor located at the rear. This design enables it to dive toward the target and explode upon impact. The use of a relatively uniform model of improvised loitering munitions follows a trend that began in late 2023, when the Myanmar Army started the serial production of both armed UAV ammunition and loitering munitions. These developments highlight the growing importance of armed UAVs in Myanmar Army’s combat strategy, aiming to both produce a tie-breaking countermeasure to successful opposition raids on army bases throughout the previous year and to make attacks more efficient.
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