(FILES) This photo taken on December 10, 2023 shows female members of the Mandalay Peoples Defense Forces (MDY-PDF) heading to the frontline amid clashes with the Myanmar military in northern Shan State. The coup launched on February 1, 2021 was supposed to put control of Myanmar firmly back in the hands of the military after a 10-year experiment with democracy. Instead it has plunged the country into civil war, crashed the economy and inspired tens of thousands of young people to join "People's Defence Forces" (PDFs) and wrest their democracy back by the gun. (Photo by AFP) / TO GO WITH Myanmar-politics-military-anniversary, FOCUS
In recent months, the key turning point has been that Myanmar military regains battlefield edge, a shift that signals the regime’s growing capacity to reverse losses and challenge resistance forces. From leveraging advanced drone strikes to reinforcing logistics and securing foreign-backed support, the military’s regained momentum is increasingly evident across multiple fronts.
1. Technological advantage: drones and air power
One of the fastest-moving changes in the conflict is the growing use of unmanned aerial systems by the military. The regime has tapped into drone platforms supplied by actors such as China and Russia to bolster air strikes and reconnaissance. South China Morning Post+2ACLED+2
These assets give the troops an operational edge by:
- conducting precision strikes and bombardments on resistance logistics and hideouts; South China Morning Post+1
- enhancing surveillance, forced mobility of opposition units, and psychological pressure on frontline fighters; bisi.org.uk+1
- offsetting earlier advantages held by resistance groups who had experimented with DIY drone operations. But that edge is diminishing. Dhaka Tribune+1
Thus, the drone-and-air-power component is a central reason why the military regains battlefield edge.
2. Logistics, supply and foreign backing
Beyond technology, the regime has improved supply chains and external support. Reports show that while resistance forces struggle to match scale-and-resupply, the military has access to greater financial and material resources. Dhaka Tribune+1
Moreover, gaining parts and equipment from external partners reinforces the regime’s ability to sustain offensives and rotate troops. That means the battle tempo can increase and the military can exploit windows of opportunity. All of this contributes to why the military regains battlefield edge.
3. Terrain, strategic resets and momentum shifts
The broader campaign dynamics also favour the military in specific ways. After suffering setbacks, the military has begun reclaiming or stabilising key terrain, redirecting operations to regain initiative. For example, recent analysis warns that although gains remain limited, the junta has “renewed offensives and the recapture of territory it had lost”. The Irrawaddy
This suggests that momentum is shifting—albeit not uniformly—but enough that observers say the military regains battlefield edge. The regime is intent on re-securing strategic corridors and tying logistics routes back to its advantage.
4. Challenges and resistance push-back
That said, the picture is not one of unchallenged dominance. Resistance forces and ethnic armed organisations still control large portions of territory and maintain operational initiatives in many regions. Council on Foreign Relations+1
Moreover, analysts caution that the military regains battlefield edge must not be over-estimated: gains are patchy, and the opposition retains strengths in mobilisation, terrain familiarity and popular support. The Irrawaddy
Therefore, although the regime is climbing back into the contest, the war remains far from decided.
5. Implications for the conflict’s future
The shift in momentum has significant consequences:
- With the military regains battlefield edge, we can expect more aggressive offensives, especially ahead of political milestones (such as elections they aim to legitimise).
- Resistance groups may increasingly adapt, seeking to counter the drone and air-power advantage with air defences, guerrilla tactics and territorial retreats.
- The humanitarian cost is likely to increase: intensified strikes, logistic disruptions and civilian exposure to renewed offensives.
- Regional actors and foreign backers will likely ramp up involvement, meaning the conflict may expand in complexity and consequences beyond Myanmar’s borders.
Altogether, the fact that the military regains battlefield edge signals a recalibration of power, one that will shape the next phase of the civil war.
Conclusion
In sum, the fact that the Myanmar military regains battlefield edge is rooted in three main strands: technological advancement (especially drones and air power), improved logistics and external supply, and strategic resets enabling renewed momentum. That said, resistance forces remain potent, and the contest remains dynamic and unpredictable. The coming months will likely show whether this regained edge translates into lasting territorial control or simply a temporary resurgence.
