Elephants for jets: Unusual diplomacy between Russia and Myanmar
The Bulgarian military service has reported an unusual transaction between Russia and Myanmar (formerly Burma). As part of a diplomatic gesture coinciding with the delivery of six Sukhoi Su-30SME fighter jets, Myanmar was to present the Kremlin with six elephants—one for each jet.
According to the Bulgarian military service, the elephants were intended as symbols of goodwill between the countries, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Myanmar. While the transfer of elephants appears to be symbolic, some reports suggest that the animals were part of the funding arrangement for the acquisition of the six Su-30SME aircraft.
"Elephant diplomacy"
Radio France Internationale, meanwhile, reports that the transaction involved five female and one male Indian elephant. According to the service, the animals were transported from Myanmar to the Moscow State Circus by a Russian transport aircraft.
It is difficult to definitively confirm whether the reports of exchanging elephants for Russian fighter jets are accurate. However, Russia and Myanmar maintain military cooperation. As part of this collaboration, Myanmar signed an agreement in 2018 to purchase Sukhoi Su-30SME fighters valued at approximately $400 million. The first two aircraft were delivered in March 2022 and officially entered service on 15 December of the same year. Two more were delivered in 2023, and the remaining two were delivered in December 2024, completing the contract.
Russian Su-30SME fighter jets
The Su-30SME fighters are the export version of the Russian Su-30SM multirole aircraft, designed for international customers. They have a two-seater configuration, enhancing operational efficiency in the air by dividing tasks between the pilot and the weapons operator. The aircraft's airframe is built in a canard layout, ensuring good manoeuvrability even at high angles of attack. The design incorporates composite materials and lightweight metal alloys, reducing the aircraft's weight and improving its performance and durability.
The Su-30SME is powered by two AL-31FP engines with thrust vectoring, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of over 2,090 km/h, or twice the speed of sound. The aircraft's range is estimated at 3,000 km, but it can be further extended with in-flight refuelling capabilities. The maximum operational ceiling for the Su-30SME is approximately 17,300 metres.
A key feature of this machine is the Bars-R radar with a passive phased array antenna, which enables the simultaneous detection of multiple air and ground targets. This system is compatible with various armaments, including advanced air-to-air missiles such as the R-77 and R-27, air-to-ground missiles such as the Kh-29 and Kh-59, and guided bombs. The fighter can carry up to 8,200 kg of weaponry on 12 hardpoints, and its primary armament is a 30 mm GSh-30-1 automatic cannon.
