Myanmar has officially become the first international customer of Russia’s Mi-38 helicopter after receiving three units in early November during a formal handover ceremony in Naypyidaw.
The delivery marks not only the first export of the Mi-38 but also a new chapter in the commercialization of Russia’s newest medium-lift helicopter, which until now had only been operated domestically.
The Long-Delayed First Export Contract
The deal between Russia and Myanmar is believed to have been finalized in January 2020, following Rosoboronexport’s announcement that it had “signed the first contract with a foreign customer for the supply of the latest Mi-38T airborne transport helicopters.”
Former Russian Helicopters CEO Andrey Boginsky confirmed this later, stating that the company had received an advance payment from “a foreign customer for three helicopters.”
A leaked Rosoboronexport commercial offer from 2022 revealed pricing details submitted to Myanmar on November 22, 2019, including €18.89 million for a standard Mi-38T transport variant and €21.9 million for the VIP variant.
Additional costs, including optional equipment, ground and flight crew training, and maintenance packages that can total up to 30% of the aircraft’s base value, brought the estimated contract value close to €80 million.
However, delivery did not proceed quickly. It was delayed by ongoing technical refinements to the Mi-38’s TV7-117V engines, as well as by Myanmar’s post-coup political instability.
The latter was triggered by the events of February 1, 2021, which sparked prolonged internal conflict. These combined factors forced the rescheduling of multiple production and delivery stages.
Limited Production and the Significance of the First Export
The Mi-38 is produced in relatively small numbers. Since 2019, Russia has manufactured only 12 production units, in addition to four prototypes built during the development phase. Several units had earlier been purchased by Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations in high-cost configurations.
With Myanmar now receiving three helicopters, Russia has officially extended the Mi-38’s presence into the international market for the first time. This milestone provides new momentum for a program that has faced numerous obstacles in recent years, including slow development progress and industrial challenges stemming from international sanctions.
Mi-38T: A Strategic Fit for Russia’s Export Segment
The Mi-38T, the variant acquired by Myanmar, is designed as a military transport helicopter optimized for heavy loads, long-range missions, and operations in extreme climates. It features military-grade avionics, mission systems, and 24-hour operational capability.
Myanmar’s interest in the Mi-38T highlights Russia’s strategy to position the model as an upgrade to the widely used Mi-8/Mi-17 family. Compared to its predecessors, the Mi-38 offers improved payload capacity, longer range, a modern digital cockpit, and endurance across temperatures from –50°C to +50°C.
In the export market, the Mi-38 occupies the medium-lift class but at a significantly lower price point than Western equivalents. With an estimated unit price below USD 25 million, it stands out as a competitive option for countries seeking substantial transport capability without the high operating costs of heavy-lift platforms like the Mi-26.
Read also: Inside Myanmar’s New Mi-38, the First Russian Helicopter to Debut Overseas
