The use of uncrewed aerial systems by non-state armed groups: Exploring trends in Myanmar

The use of uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) has become a defining feature of Myanmar’s conflict landscape. Following the military coup of February 2021, UAS deployment has gained significant prominence in NSAGs’ operations against the Myanmar military, with the country recording one of the highest rates of UAS use by NSAGs globally since 2022. This report analyses the key trends in the use of UASs by NSAGs in Myanmar, with a particular focus on post-coup developments. It aims to provide researchers, policymakers and practitioners with an overview of how these systems have been adopted and employed by NSAGs across the country, and their implications for evolving conflict dynamics. The report examines the types of groups deploying UASs, the geographical distribution of incidents, as well as the primary targets and impacts of NSAG-led UAS operations. It also assesses the types of UASs used by various groups, including trends in their craft-production, modification and weaponization, and identifies key factors enabling access to and the diffusion of UAS capabilities among NSAGs in Myanmar. The Myanmar case illustrates how the widespread availability of UASs and their components – combined with open-source resources, decentralized knowledge-sharing networks and improvised production practices – may facilitate the rapid development and dissemination of UAS capabilities. These dynamics also complicate efforts to monitor, regulate and control their proliferation and use. As such, Myanmar offers valuable insights into the evolving role of these systems in contemporary conflicts, as well as the challenges that their expanding use may pose for existing arms control frameworks and broader international security and stability.