In Myanmar, the military has increasingly employed lightweight flying machines such as paramotors and gyrocopters as tools for aerial bombardment in its ongoing conflict with rebel forces. Over the past 20 months, these small aircraft have been used in more than 1,600 bombing raids, according to the National Unity Government (NUG), though this figure has not been independently verified. The junta has not responded to requests for comment on these operations or their impact on civilians.

These lightweight aircraft provide several operational advantages for the military. Compared to traditional fighter jets or attack drones, paramotors and gyrocopters are more cost-effective, quieter, and capable of evading detection. They can reach altitudes of up to 10,000 feet without supplemental oxygen, presenting small targets that are difficult for ground forces to counter. Their use has been particularly effective in flat, low-turbulence terrain such as the central plains of the Sagaing and Mandalay Regions.

One of the deadliest documented incidents occurred in October 2025 during a Buddhist festival of lights in Chaung U township, Sagaing Region. A motorized paraglider bombed the gathering, killing dozens and injuring at least 40. Survivors recounted that the aircraft's engine noise resembled a motorbike and that the bombs were dropped without warning. In one case, after the initial bombing, the aircraft returned to target rescuers attending to the injured. Victims have described the attacks as random and terrifying, with limited capacity for defense or escape.

The junta defends its widespread aerial assaults by labeling anyone supporting the revolutionary forces as an enemy. According to defectors and rebel fighters, these lightweight aircraft have been used to soften targeted areas prior to ground troop advances. Fighters with the Myingyan People’s Defense Force in Mandalay noted that paramotor and gyrocopter attacks often precede military occupation of contested zones.

The military’s incorporation of these aircraft began in earnest last year. Early models include simple paramotors equipped with propellers and gas engines, able to carry two bombs and travel roughly 120 miles per fuel tank. More advanced models involve three-seat sky-blue gyrocopters that can carry up to eight 120-millimeter mortar shells, with a range of approximately 500 miles. Both types lack targeting systems; pilots release munitions manually or by button, often over populated areas.

Local residents and resistance fighters report a lack of effective means to shoot down these small, agile aircraft. Guerrilla forces often resort to hiding during raids, as conventional weapons are ineffective against them. Some gyrocopters have crash-landed, allowing rebel forces to examine the wreckage, but the military maintains air superiority with conventional fighter jets and helicopters, deterring rebels from attempting to operate the aircraft themselves.

The increased use of paramotors and gyrocopters has intensified fears among civilians already burdened by conflict and economic hardships. In the Sagaing Region, villagers described the experience of sudden bombings from these aircraft, coupled with follow-up attacks by helicopters. One resident of Ye-U township recounted witnessing multiple gyrocopters dropping bombs on his community in September, killing and injuring civilians unaffiliated with the rebel forces.

The military's deployment of these aerial systems represents a significant shift in tactics, enabling more frequent and flexible bombing campaigns while escalating the risks faced by civilians caught in the crossfire. As the conflict extends, the growing reliance on these lightweight flying machines underscores the challenges faced by both rebel groups and noncombatants in Myanmar’s volatile landscape.