Myanmar Air Force

Myanmar Air Force
တပ်မတော် (လေ) (Burmese)
  • Emblem
  • Shoulder sleeve
    Cap badges: Officer (left), NCOs & ORs (right)
Founded15 January 1947 (1947-01-15)
Country Myanmar
TypeAir force
Size
  • 25,000 personnel
  • 356 aircraft
Part of Tatmadaw
NicknameTatmadaw (Lay)
Anniversaries15 December 1947
EngagementsInternal conflict in Myanmar
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Armed Forces Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
Minister of Defence General Maung Maung Aye
Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force General Htun Aung
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Ensign
Aircraft flown
AttackA-5C, FTC-2000G, CH-3A, CH-4
FighterMiG-29SM/USM, Su-30SME, JF-17/JF-17B Block 2
HelicopterMi-2, Mi-17, Mi-38, Ka-28, UH-1, Bell 206, Alouette III, W-3
Attack helicopterMi-35P
Trainer helicopterEC120, H125
InterceptorF-7IIK
PatrolBN-2
ReconnaissanceDART-450, MTX-1
TrainerYak-130, K-8W, FT-7, G-4, G 120TP, HJT-16, PC-7, PC-9
TransportY-8, Y-12, Beechcraft 1900, ATR 42, ATR 72, Fokker 70, PC-6

The Myanmar Air Force (Burmese: တပ်မတော် (လေ), romanisedTatmadaw (Lay), lit.'Armed Forces (Air Force)', pronounced [taʔmədɔ̀ (le)]) is the aerial branch of the Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar. The primary mission of the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) since its inception has been to provide air bases force protection, anti-aircraft warfare, close air support (CAS), logistical, and transport to the Myanmar Army in counterinsurgency operations. It is mainly used in internal conflicts in Myanmar, and, on a smaller scale, in relief missions, especially after the deadly Cyclone Nargis of May 2008.