The M23 rebel movement has reportedly entered a new phase of military capability with the recent repair of a Sukhoï SU-25 combat jet and the training of pilots and technicians, signaling a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
After being abandoned for several months at Goma International Airport following the collapse of FARDC positions in the region, the SU-25 jet—part of the ammunition stockpiles captured by M23—has been restored to operational status.
Sources say the repair was led by a young technician and pilot from Masisi, who recently received advanced training in a non-African country.
The technician is now said to be capable of both piloting the aircraft and coordinating ground operations.
In addition to the SU-25’s restoration, four other M23 fighters—also from the Masisi, Kalehe, and Rutshuru regions—have reportedly completed specialized training in piloting war helicopters.
These developments mark the first time a rebel group in the region has gained tactical air capabilities typically reserved for national military forces.
“This is no longer just trench warfare. It may be the beginning of a three-dimensional war,” one regional security analyst told local media.
The presence of an air fleet within the M23 ranks is expected to significantly impact the balance of power in the conflict.
Military experts warn that control of the airspace, even partially, could allow M23 to launch precision strikes, provide direct support to ground troops, and deliver a psychological blow to FARDC forces and their allies.
The integration of air-trained youth into the M23 structure is also seen as a signal of the group’s ongoing evolution—from a guerrilla movement into a semi-institutionalized political-military force.
Observers believe this transformation could further weaken the Congolese government’s territorial defense strategy in the east and complicate regional security efforts.
That, the acquisition of air power by non-state actors poses a significant threat to stability and informs the urgency of peace efforts currently underway in Doha, Qatar.