Myanmar rebels seize Ukrainian-made MT-LBMSH infantry fighting vehicle.

Rebels of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) reportedly seized MT-LBMSH infantry fighting vehicles of Ukrainian origin near the Chin Shwe Ho military district, bordering China. The information was revealed through videos circulating on Russian social media platforms dated October 30, 2023.
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Rebels of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) reportedly seized MT-LBMSH infantry fighting vehicles of Ukrainian origin near the Chin Shwe Ho military district, bordering China. (Picture source: Myanmar MoD)

The MNDAA has been involved in armed conflicts with the Myanmar military, also known as the Tatmadaw, as it seeks greater autonomy for the Kokang region. The group is predominantly made up of ethnic Han Chinese and has historical, cultural, and economic ties to China. Over the years, the MNDAA has been involved in various ceasefire agreements with the Myanmar government, but sporadic fighting continues to erupt, destabilizing the region.

The MT-LBMSh is a Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicle based on the MT-LB tracked tractor. It is equipped with a KBA-105 "Shkval" combat module with a 30 mm ZTM-1 automatic grenade launcher, a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, and a 30 mm AG grenade launcher, as well as a “Bar’er” ATGM. The vehicle also has reinforced armor and a new YaMZ-238B engine with a power of 330 horsepower, allowing a maximum speed of up to 60 kilometers per hour.

The IFV crew consists of three people: commander, gunner, and driver, and the squad compartment can accommodate up to 7 soldiers.

The combat vehicle also has enhanced armor protection due to mounted add-on armored screens. It is worth noting that the enhanced protection was used only in the export version for Myanmar. The commander does not have an effective observation instrument and is forced to observe the battlefield and the movement of the combat vehicle through periscopes.

The MT-LBMSh combat weight increased from 9.7 tons (MT-LB) to 12.5 tons as a result of the modernization.

One of the vehicles, seized near the Chin Shwe Ho military district in Myanmar, appears to be in poor condition and cannot be updated. These vehicles are believed to have been destroyed by MNDAA rebels.

In 2017, the Kharkiv Tractor Plant in Ukraine announced that it was producing equipment on MT-LB chassis for Myanmar. Military Balance 20222 indicates that Myanmar received its first MT-LBMSh vehicles much earlier, with 10 combat vehicles delivered in 2007 and 16 more in 2009. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Ukraine may have sold many more MT-LBMSh vehicles LBMSH in Myanmar, although there is no official information to support this claim.