The military junta has begun widespread use of paramotors to carry out attacks in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, where intense fighting is ongoing, according to sources.
The paramotors were first tested with in Pyin Phyu Maw and Nga La Pwayt Wards of Kyaukphyu starting from the third week of March. Since early April, they have been deployed daily in combat operations, according to reports.
“They first conducted training flights in the town’s wards for over ten days. They started using them in combat around early April. Now, those paramotors are dropping bombs almost every day. The sound of the explosions is quite loud,” said a man from Ku Lar Bar village in Kyaukphyu Township.
The junta has used to bomb villages, including Ku Lar Bar, Pyin Shey, Ma La Kyun, and Thaing Chaung, resulting in damaged homes and the injury or death of livestock such as cattle, the resident added.
The junta has used at least two paramotors during the battle, primarily conducting bombing raids at night, according to sources.
“The paramotors drop bombs from around 9 p.m. until about 4 a.m. At night, we only hear the sounds, so we can’t see them clearly or know exactly how many there are. But it’s certain that at least two or more are coming and bombing,” said a source familiar with the ground situation.
The junta began using paramotors for bombing attacks in Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing Regions starting in late 2024, and they are now being widely deployed across the country.
These paramotors can travel at speeds of around 60 miles per hour, fly at altitudes above 10,000 feet, and carry two people.
With a payload capacity of nearly one tonne, they can transport multiple artillery shells and hand grenades, according to reports.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG).
