Rebels in Myanmar develop attack drones

Al Jazeera English

19 Sept 202302:30

Summary

TLDRRebel fighters in eastern Myanmar are using fixed-wing drones as potent weapons against the military government. Inspired by Ukraine's use of drones in warfare, they assemble and launch drones made from basic materials like wood, polystyrene, and 3D-printed frames. Despite limited resources, these drones are effective in discreetly targeting enemy positions. However, they remain vulnerable to the superior air power of Myanmar's military, which uses helicopters and fighter jets to devastating effect. The rebels acknowledge the limitations of their homemade drones but continue to adapt and innovate.

Takeaways

🛰️ Rebel Fighters in eastern Myanmar are assembling fixed-wing drones to counter the military government's air superiority.
🔎 The drone team plays a crucial role in scouting enemy territory and supporting ground attacks discreetly.
🚀 A small commercial drone called 'Scout' is launched to hover over Myanmar Army positions, providing surveillance.
💣 An attack drone is equipped with munitions and is used to strike targets, as filmed by the Scout drone.
🌟 The unit draws inspiration from Ukrainian forces' use of drones in warfare, particularly for attacking tanks.
🛠️ High-tech solutions are adapted from hobbyist designs to create attack drones with limited resources.
📐 The Liberator Mark II drone is produced using 3D printing for the frame and resin molding for the body.
💪 Despite resource scarcity, the rebels are committed to challenging the military's dominance in the air.
✈️ Myanmar's military has been strengthening its aerial power with attack helicopters and fighter jets.
🏡 The military's aerial power has been used against civilians, as evidenced by the attack on a village in Segaing.
🛡️ The rebels acknowledge that their homemade drones may not significantly impact military aircraft but are a necessary response.

Q & A

What role do the rebel fighters' drones play in their operations?
-The drones are used to discreetly scout enemy territory and provide aerial support by targeting enemy positions with munitions, giving the rebel fighters an advantage during ground attacks.
Why do the rebel fighters believe drones are an effective weapon against Myanmar's military?
-Drones allow the rebels to enter enemy territory discreetly, gather intelligence, and launch precise attacks, which is particularly useful given the military's air superiority and the rebels' limited resources.
How were the rebel fighters inspired to use drones in their conflict?
-The rebels were inspired by the Ukrainian forces' use of drones during their war, particularly in attacking tanks. This gave them the idea to adapt similar tactics against Myanmar's military.
What challenges do the rebels face in building and deploying drones?
-The rebels face challenges such as limited resources, which restrict them to using basic building materials like wood, polystyrene, and 3D-printed frames to create their drones.
How do the rebel fighters produce the Liberator Mark II drone?
-The Liberator Mark II drone is produced using 3D printing and molding techniques to create a basic frame, followed by using resin to mold the entire body.
What is the significance of the Myanmar military's air power in the conflict?
-The Myanmar military's air power, including attack helicopters and fighter jets, is significant because it allows them to conduct powerful aerial assaults, which are difficult for the rebels to counter with their homemade drones.
What was the impact of the military helicopter attack on a village in Segang?
-The attack resulted in over 150 deaths, including dozens of children, highlighting the devastating impact of the military's air power on civilian populations.
What do the rebel fighters acknowledge about the limitations of their drones?
-The rebels acknowledge that their homemade drones have little impact on the military's gunships and fighter jets, but they consider it the best option they have for striking from the skies.
What materials are used by the rebels to build their drones?
-The rebels use basic materials such as wood, polystyrene, and 3D-printed frames to build their drones, due to the scarcity of resources.
How do the drones contribute to the rebels' strategy against Myanmar's military?
-The drones contribute by providing reconnaissance and the ability to carry out targeted strikes, challenging the military's ground forces despite their air superiority.

Outlines

00:00

🚁 Rebel Fighters Prepare for Drone Warfare

A group of Rebel Fighters in eastern Myanmar positions themselves on a hillside and begins assembling a fixed-wing drone, a powerful weapon in their battle against the Myanmar military government. The drone team is crucial in frontline operations, often entering the battlefield first to conduct reconnaissance and support ground attacks.

🎯 Strategic Drone Operations in Enemy Territory

The rebels discreetly launch a small commercial drone, known as the Scout, to survey a Myanmar Army position. The soldiers below are unaware of the impending danger as the attack drone, loaded with munitions, is maneuvered into position. The Scout drone captures footage as the bombs hit their targets, showcasing the unit's efforts to counter Myanmar's military air superiority.

💡 Inspiration from Ukrainian Drone Tactics

The rebel unit was inspired by Ukrainian forces during their war, particularly by their use of drones to attack tanks. Despite being deep in jungle camps with limited resources, the rebels have adapted hobbyist designs into attack drones, using basic materials like wood, polystyrene, and 3D-printed frames to construct their Liberator Mark II drone.

⚠️ Myanmar Military's Air Dominance

Myanmar's military has been strengthening its air power, with attack helicopters and fighter jets showcased during this year's military parade. While their ground troops face strong resistance, their air forces remain largely unchallenged, a power they have used extensively since the military coup.

💥 Devastating Airstrikes on Civilians

The military's air power has led to tragic consequences, as seen in the April attack on a village in Segang by military helicopters, resulting in over 150 deaths, including many children. The rebels acknowledge that their homemade drones are ineffective against the military's advanced gunships and jets, but they see it as their best available option to fight back.

🎥 Rebel Fighters' Resolve to Strike from the Skies

Despite the overwhelming air power of Myanmar's military, the rebel fighters remain determined to use their limited resources to strike from the skies. Their efforts, though modest, represent their resilience and commitment to challenging the military's dominance, even if their impact is minimal.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Rebel Fighters

Rebel Fighters in this context refer to the opposition forces in Myanmar who are resisting the military government. These fighters are utilizing unconventional tactics, including the use of drones, to challenge the military's dominance. Their efforts are part of a larger struggle against the oppressive regime following the military coup.

💡Fixed-wing drone

A fixed-wing drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with wings that allow it to glide through the air like an airplane, rather than hovering like a helicopter. In the video, these drones are assembled by Rebel Fighters and used as weapons against Myanmar's military, highlighting the adaptation of civilian technology for military purposes in asymmetric warfare.

💡Myanmar military government

The Myanmar military government, also known as the Tatmadaw, seized power in a coup in February 2021, overthrowing the civilian government. The military's control has led to widespread conflict and repression, with the government using its superior firepower to maintain authority. The Rebel Fighters' use of drones is a response to this overwhelming military power.

💡Scout drone

A Scout drone refers to a small, commercial drone used for reconnaissance purposes. In the video, the Scout drone is launched to gather intelligence and provide visual confirmation of targets before an attack drone is deployed. This use of scouting technology reflects the tactical approaches adopted by Rebel Fighters in their struggle against a more powerful adversary.

💡3D printing

3D printing is a manufacturing process that creates objects layer by layer using materials like plastic or resin. In the video, Rebel Fighters use 3D printing to produce parts for their attack drones, demonstrating their resourcefulness and ability to adapt limited resources into effective tools for combat against the military government.

💡Military coup

A military coup is the sudden overthrow of a government by the military. The coup in Myanmar in 2021 led to the military taking control of the country, sparking widespread protests and armed resistance. The video showcases the ongoing conflict between the military and those resisting its rule, including the use of drones by Rebel Fighters.

💡Liberator Mark II

The Liberator Mark II is a type of attack drone mentioned in the video, built by Rebel Fighters using 3D printing and other materials. This drone represents the innovative tactics employed by the rebels to challenge the military's air superiority, even though they are working with limited resources and basic materials.

💡Attack helicopters and fighter jets

Attack helicopters and fighter jets are advanced military aircraft used by Myanmar's military to assert control and suppress opposition. The video highlights the disparity in firepower between the military and Rebel Fighters, with the former having unchallenged air superiority, which has been used to devastating effect in attacks on civilian areas.

💡Ukraine conflict

The Ukraine conflict refers to the war between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists, which has seen extensive use of drones for reconnaissance and attacks. Rebel Fighters in Myanmar have drawn inspiration from Ukraine's use of drones, adapting similar tactics in their own fight against the Myanmar military government.

💡Asymmetric warfare

Asymmetric warfare is a type of conflict where opposing forces differ significantly in military power or tactics. In the video, the Rebel Fighters' use of homemade drones against a well-equipped military is an example of asymmetric warfare, where the weaker party uses unconventional methods to challenge a stronger opponent.

Highlights

A group of Rebel Fighters in eastern Myanmar assembles a fixed-wing drone, a potent weapon against Myanmar's military government.

The drone team is the first to enter the area during ground attacks, providing significant tactical advantages.

The drone allows discreet entry into enemy territory and surveillance over military bases.

A small commercial drone, the Scout, is launched to hover over a Myanmar Army position, unnoticed by the soldiers below.

An attack drone loaded with munitions is maneuvered into position using a remote control.

The Scout drone films the target, capturing the moments when bombs hit their mark.

The drone unit was formed to challenge Myanmar's military air superiority.

The rebels drew inspiration from the Ukrainian forces' use of drones in their war, particularly in attacking tanks.

Operating from jungle camps, the rebels adapt hobbyist designs to build attack drones with surprisingly high-tech solutions.

Despite limited resources, they use basic materials like wood and polystyrene, along with 3D printed frames, to construct drones.

The Liberator Mark II drone is created using 3D printing and molding techniques.

Myanmar's military displays its air power, including attack helicopters and fighter jets, during the military day parade.

The military's air superiority has been fully utilized since the coup, with devastating effects on civilian targets.

An attack by military helicopters in the village of Segang resulted in over 150 deaths, including many children.

Rebel fighters acknowledge that their homemade drones have limited impact against military gunships and fighter jets, but they remain determined to strike from the skies.