In a dramatic demonstration of how modern warfare tactics are quickly spreading beyond their original battlegrounds, a first-person view (FPV) drone attack—eerily similar to those pioneered in Ukraine—has reportedly brought down a Myanmar military Mi-17 Hip helicopter. The incident, which occurred near Shwegu town in Kachin state, underscores not only the intensifying conflict in the Southeast Asian nation but also the rapidly evolving threat landscape facing military aviation worldwide.
According to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), a powerful ethnic armed group in Myanmar, their operatives used an FPV drone to target the Mi-17 helicopter while it was attempting to land with supplies. The aircraft hovered just feet above a football pitch when the drone careened toward its rotors. A viral video circulating on social media captures the drone’s final approach before cutting to a separate angle showing a small explosion amidst the helicopter’s rotor blades. The helicopter reportedly crashed shortly thereafter, resulting in the deaths of all personnel on board.
The Myanmar military disputes this version, claiming a “technical fault” led to the crash. However, both independent observers and footage provided by the KIA raise credible doubts about the junta’s explanation. The Irrawaddy, an independent publication operated by exiled Myanmar journalists, quoted KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu confirming the attack and noting additional strikes on grounded helicopters using similar drone tactics.
This tactic of targeting helicopters with FPV drones has roots in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly demonstrated the effectiveness of small, maneuverable drones against Russian helicopters. In one instance, a Russian Mi-8AMTSh helicopter was downed near Donetsk using a one-way attack drone. More recently, Ukraine’s Bombus Balista unit claimed an FPV drone strike against a Russian Ka-52 Alligator, a heavily armored combat helicopter. Both incidents were captured on video and widely shared.
These tactics exploit a helicopter’s inherent vulnerability during takeoff, landing, or low-speed maneuvers—moments when the aircraft are most exposed. The accessibility and affordability of FPV drones have democratized this capability, making it available to insurgent groups and resistance forces far removed from state-sponsored military powerhouses.
Myanmar’s military, known as the Tatmadaw, has been embroiled in a brutal civil conflict since the February 2021 coup that deposed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Ethnic armed organizations like the KIA, allied with pro-democracy People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), have mounted increasingly effective resistance campaigns. In recent months, the Tatmadaw has suffered a string of losses, particularly in eastern regions near China and in the western state of Rakhine.
The Mi-17 helicopter that crashed was reportedly part of a three-aircraft convoy delivering supplies to the embattled 21st Military Operation Command (MOC) in Bhamo. The KIA has mounted an offensive in this area since December, capturing much of the city but facing stiff resistance bolstered by junta air support.
“The helicopter crashed after being hit by a drone and possibly additional rockets,” Naw Bu said. Other sources report that two of the three helicopters in the convoy were attacked, although only one was brought down.
The use of FPV drones in this context raises alarm far beyond Myanmar’s borders. As seen in Ukraine, Syria, and now Myanmar, drones offer low-cost, high-impact solutions to traditionally underpowered forces. With minimal training and relatively inexpensive components, groups can deploy drones for reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and direct attack missions.
Combat helicopters, traditionally the workhorses of battlefield mobility and close air support, are increasingly exposed. According to open-source intelligence group Oryx, Russia alone has lost at least 122 helicopters in Ukraine, including 42 Mi-8 transport variants and 64 Ka-52 gunships. These figures only account for visually confirmed losses.
The vulnerability of helicopters to small arms and anti-aircraft systems isn’t new. In Syria, rebel factions like the Sham Legion used anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) to great effect against low-flying Syrian helicopters. However, the proliferation of FPV drones represents a new class of threat—one that combines precision, range, and accessibility.
Traditional helicopter defenses—such as flares, electronic countermeasures, and evasive maneuvering—are often ineffective against FPV drones. These drones are fast, nimble, and can be flown manually with extreme precision, especially by skilled operators using first-person goggles. They can evade radar, navigate tight terrain, and strike with deadly accuracy.
Adding to the challenge is the emergence of fiber-optic-guided drones, which are immune to traditional electronic jamming. This technological innovation further tilts the balance in favor of insurgents and non-state actors.
Moreover, these developments are prompting a tactical rethink among modern militaries. Helicopter missions, especially in contested zones, may need to be curtailed or accompanied by enhanced counter-drone measures. The U.S. and other NATO countries have begun investing heavily in short-range air defense systems (SHORAD) that can neutralize drones, but integration is far from universal.
As drones become more ubiquitous and sophisticated, the battlefield of the future may increasingly favor asymmetric tactics. Small units can now pose outsized threats to expensive military assets, including helicopters, armored vehicles, and fixed installations.
The implications for special operations forces are particularly profound. Previously reliant on helicopters for insertion and extraction, these units now face higher operational risks. Even elite forces could find themselves vulnerable to low-cost FPV drones deployed in forward operating areas.
This paradigm shift also extends to criminal enterprises. Mexican drug cartels have reportedly employed weaponized drones for targeted assassinations and enforcement. As this technology spreads, the lines between state and non-state military capability continue to blur.
Addressing this challenge requires a multifaceted approach. First, militaries must accelerate development and deployment of counter-drone technologies. These include radio frequency detectors, directed energy weapons, and physical interceptors. Second, tactical doctrines must evolve to incorporate drone threat scenarios in mission planning and training exercises.
Third, international cooperation on drone regulation and export controls may help curb proliferation. However, the knowledge is already out there. FPV drone construction and operation tutorials are easily accessible online, making it difficult to prevent their adoption by rogue actors.
The FPV drone strike on a Myanmar military helicopter represents more than a localized act of resistance. It marks the globalization of a warfare tactic born in Ukraine and now taking root in Southeast Asia. As the technology becomes more accessible and battlefield experience accumulates, we can expect more such incidents—challenging military norms and reshaping combat operations.
Helicopters, long considered indispensable for rapid troop movement and fire support, now face a serious identity crisis. The age of unchallenged rotary-wing dominance is ending, and a new era—defined by cheap, effective, and widely proliferated drone technology—is rising in its place.
