Myanmar Army
The Myanmar Army is the largest branch of the Armed Forces of Myanmar and has the primary responsibility of conducting land-based military operations. The Myanmar Army maintains the second largest active force in Southeast Asia after the People's Army of Vietnam.
The Myanmar Army had a troop strength of around 350,000 as of 2006. The army has extensive combat experience in fighting insurgents in rough terrains, considering it has been conducting non-stop counter-insurgency operations against ethnic and political insurgents since its inception in 1948.
The force is headed by the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Army, currently Vice-Senior General Soe Win, concurrently Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services. The highest rank in the Myanmar Army is Senior General, equivalent to Field Marshal position in Western Armies and is currently held by Min Aung Hlaing after being promoted from Vice-Senior General.
In 2011, following transition from military junta government to civilian parliamentary government, the Myanmar Army enacted a military draft for all citizens; all males from the age 18 to 35 and all females age between 18 and 27 years of age can be drafted into military service for two years as enlisted personnel in time of national emergency. The ages for professionals are up to 45 for men and 35 for women for three years service as commissioned and non-commissioned officers.
An official publication has revealed that almost one-quarter of Myanmar's new national budget will be allocated to defence. The Government Gazette reports that 1.8 trillion kyat, or 23.6 percent of the 2011 budget will go to defence.
Brief history
Post Independence era
At the time of Myanmar's independence in 1948, the Tatmadaw was weak, small and disunited. Cracks appeared along the lines of ethnic background, political affiliation, organisational origin and different services. Its unity and operational efficiency was further weakened by the interference of civilians and politicians in military affairs, and the perception gap between the staff officers and field commanders. The most serious problem was the tension between ethnic Karen Officers, coming from the British Burma Army and Bamar officers, coming from the Patriotic Burmese Forces.In accordance with agreement reached at Kandy Conference in September 1945, the Tatmadaw was reorganised by incorporating the British Burma Army and the Patriotic Burmese Forces. The officer corps shared by ex-PBF officers and officers from British Burma Army and Army of Burma Reserve Organisation. The British also decided to form what were known as "Class Battalions" based on ethnicity. There were a total of 15 rifle battalions at the time of independence and four of them were made up of former members of PBF. All influential positions within the War Office and commands were manned with non-former PBF Officers. All services including military engineers, supply and transport, ordnance and medical services, Navy and Air Force were all commanded by former Officers from ABRO and British Burma Army.
| Battalion | Ethnic/Army Composition |
| No. 1 Burma Rifles | Bamar |
| No. 3 Burma Rifles | Bamar / Former members of Patriotic Burmese Forces |
| No. 4 Burma Rifles | Bamar / Former members of Patriotic Burmese Force – Commanded by the then Lieutenant Colonel Ne Win |
| No. 5 Burma Rifles | Bamar / Former members of Patriotic Burmese Force |
| No. 6 Burma Rifles | Bamar / Former members of Patriotic Burmese Force |
| No. 1 Karen Rifles | Karen / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO |
| No. 2 Karen Rifles | Karen / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO |
| No. 3 Karen Rifles | Karen / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO |
| No. 1 Kachin Rifles | Kachin / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO |
| No. 2 Kachin Rifles | Kachin / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO |
| No. 1 Chin Rifles | Chin / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO |
| No. 2 Chin Rifles | Chin / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO |
| No. 4 Burma Regiment | Gurkha |
| Chin Hill Battalion | Chin |
Formation and structure
The Army has always been by far the largest service in Myanmar and has always received the lion's share of the defence budget. It has played the most prominent part in Myanmar's struggle against the 40 or more insurgent groups since 1948 and acquired a reputation as a tough and resourceful military force. In 1981, it was described as 'probably the best army in Southeast Asia, apart from Vietnam's'. The judgement was echoed in 1983, when another observer noted that "Myanmar's infantry is generally rated as one of the toughest, most combat seasoned in Southeast Asia".In 1985, a foreign journalist with the rare experience of seeing Burmese soldiers in action against ethnic insurgents and narco-armies was 'thoroughly impressed by their fighting skills, endurance and discipline'. Other commentators throughout that time characterised the Myanmar Army as 'the toughest, most effective light infantry jungle force now operating in Southeast Asia'. Even the Thai people, not known to praise the Burmese lightly, have described the Myanmar Army as 'skilled in the art of jungle warfare'.
Organisation
The Myanmar Army had reached some 370,000 active troops in all ranks in the year 2000. There were 337 infantry battalions, including 266 light infantry battalions. Although the Myanmar Army's organisational structure was based upon the regimental system, the basic manoeuvre and fighting unit is the battalion, known as Tat Yinn in Burmese. This comprised a headquarters unit; five rifle companies Tat Khwe with three rifle platoons Tat Su each; an administration company with medical, transport, logistics and signals units; a heavy weapons company including mortar, machine gun and recoilless gun platoons. Each battalion is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel Du Ti Ya Bo Hmu Gyi or Du Bo Hmu Gyi with a Major as 2IC, with a total establishment strength of 27 officers and 723 other ranks. Light infantry battalions in the Myanmar Army have much lower establishment strength of around 500; this often leads to these units being mistakenly identified by the observers and reporters as under strength infantry battalions.With its significantly increased personnel numbers, weaponry and mobility, today's Tatmadaw Kyee is a formidable conventional defence force for the Union of Myanmar. Troops ready for combat duty have at least doubled since 1988. Logistics infrastructure and Artillery Fire Support has been greatly increased. Its newly acquired military might was apparent in the Tatmadaw's dry season operations against Karen National Union strongholds in Manerplaw and Kawmura. Most of the casualties at these battles were the result of intense and heavy bombardment by the Tatmadaw Kyee. The Tatmadaw Kyee is now much larger than it was before 1988, it is more mobile and has greatly improved armour, artillery and air defence inventories. Its C3I systems have been expanded and refined. It is developing larger and more integrated, self-sustained formations to better coordinated action by different combat arms. The army may still have relatively modest weaponry compared to its larger neighbours, but it is now in a much better position to deter external aggression and respond to such a threat should it ever arise, although child soldiers may not perform very well in combating with enemies.
Expansion
The first army division to be formed after the 1988 military coup was the 11th Light Infantry Division in December 1988 with Colonel Win Myint as commander of the division. In March 1990, a new regional military command was opened in Monywa with Brigadier Kyaw Min as commander and named North-Western Regional Military Command. A year later 101st LID was formed in Pakokku with Colonel Saw Tun as commander. Two Regional Operations Commands were formed in Myeik and Loikaw to facilitate command and control. They were commanded respectively by Brigadier Soe Tint and Brigadier Maung Kyi. March 1995 saw a dramatic expansion of the Tatmadaw as it established 11 Military Operations Commands s in that month. MOC are similar to Mechanised Infantry Divisions in western armies, each with 10 regular infantry battalions, a headquarters, and organic support units including field artillery batteries. Then in 1996, two new RMC were opened, Coastal Region RMC was opened in Myeik with Brigadier Sit Maung as commander and Triangle Region RMC in Kengtung with Brigadier Thein Sein as commander. Three new ROCs were opened in Kalay, Bhamo and Mongsat. In late 1998, two new MOCs were opened in Bokepyin and Mongsat.The most significant expansion after the infantry in the army was in armour and artillery. Beginning in 1990, the Tatmadaw procured 18 T-69II Main battle tanks and 48 T-63 amphibious light tanks from China. Further procurements were made, including several hundred Type 85 and Type 92 Armoured personnel carriers. By the beginning of 1998, Tatmadaw had about 100+ T-69II Main battle tanks, a similar number of T-63 amphibious light tanks and several T-59D tanks. These tanks and armoured personnel carriers were distributed into five armoured infantry battalions and five tank battalions and formed the first Armoured Division of the Tatmadaw under the name of 71st Armoured Operations Command with its headquarters in Pyawbwe.
Bureau of Special Operations (BSO)
Bureau of Special Operations in Myanmar Army are high-level field units equivalent to Field Army in Western terms and consist of 2 or more Regional Military Commands and commanded by a lieutenant-general and 6 staff officers.The units were introduced under the General Staff Office on 28 April 1978 and 1 June 1979. In early 1978, the then Chairman of BSPP General Ne Win visited the North Eastern Command Headquarters in Lashio to receive a briefing about Burmese Communist Party insurgents and their military operations. He was accompanied by Brigadier General Tun Ye from Ministry of Defence. Brigadier General Tun Ye was the regional commander of Eastern Command for three years and before that he served in North Eastern Command areas as commander of Strategic Operation Command and commander for Light Infantry Division for four years. As BCP military operations were spread across three Regional Military Command areas, Brigadier General Tun Ye was the most informed commander about the BCP in Myanmar Army at the time. At the briefing, General Ne Win was impressed by Brigadier General Tun Ye and realised that co-ordination among various Regional Military Commands was necessary; thus, decided to form a bureau at the Ministry of Defence.
Originally, the bureau was for "special operations", wherever they were, that needed co-ordination among various Regional Military Commands. Later, with introduction of another bureau, there was a division of command areas. The BSO-1 was to oversee the operations under the Northern Command, North Eastern Command, the Eastern Command, and the North Western Command. BSO-2 was to oversee operations under the South Eastern Command, South Western Command, Western Command and Central Command.
Initially, the chief of the BSO had the rank of brigadier general. The rank was upgraded to major general on 23 April 1979. in 1990, it was further upgraded to lieutenant general. Between 1995 and 2002, Chief of Staff jointly held the position of Chief of BSO. However, in early 2002, two more BSO were added to the General Staff Office; therefore there were altogether four BSOs. The fifth BSO was established in 2005 and the sixth in 2007.
Currently there are Six Bureaus of Special Operations in Myanmar order of Battle.
| Bureau of Special Operations | Regional Military Commands | Chief of Bureau of Special Operations | Notes |
| Bureau of Special Operations 1 | Central Command North Western Command Northern Command | Lt.Gen. Htun Htun Naung | |
| Bureau of Special Operations 2 | North Eastern Command Eastern Command Triangle Region Command Eastern Central Command | Lt.Gen. Than Tun Oo | |
| Bureau of Special Operations 3 | South Western Command Southern Command Western Command | Lt.Gen. Win Bo Shein | |
| Bureau of Special Operations 4 | Coastal Command South Eastern Command | Lt.Gen. Aung Soe | |
| Bureau of Special Operations 5 | Yangon Command | Lt.Gen. Thet Pone | |
| Bureau of Special Operations 6 | Naypyidaw Command | Lt.Gen. Moe Myint Tun |
Regional Military Commands (RMC)
For better command and communication, the Tatmadaw formed Regional Military Commands structure in 1958. Until 1961, there were only two regional commands, they were supported by 13 Infantry brigades and an infantry division. In October 1961, new regional military commands were opened and leaving only two independent infantry brigades. In June 1963, the Naypyidaw Command was temporarily formed in Yangon with the deputy commander and some staff officers drawn from Central Command. It was reorganised and renamed as Yangon Command on 1 June 1965.A total of 337 infantry and light infantry battalions organised in Tactical Operations Commands, 37 independent field artillery regiments supported by affiliated support units including armoured reconnaissance and tank battalions. RMCs are similar to corps formations in Western armies. The RMCs, commanded by major general rank officer, are managed through a framework of Bureau of Special Operations, which are equivalent to Field Army Group in Western terms.
| Regional Military Command | Badge | States & Divisions | Headquarters | Strength |
| Northern Command | Kachin State | Myitkyina | 32 Infantry Battalions | |
| North Eastern Command | Northern Shan State | Lashio | 30 Infantry Battalions | |
| Eastern Command | Southern Shan State and Kayah State | Taunggyi | 42 Infantry Battalions including 16× Light Infantry Battalions under Regional Operation Command Headquarters at Loikaw | |
| South Eastern Command | Mon State and Kayin State | Mawlamyine | 40 × Infantry Battalions | |
| Southern Command | Bago and Magwe Divisions | Toungoo | 27 × Infantry Battalions | |
| Western Command | Rakhine State and Chin State | Ann | 31 × Infantry Battalions | |
| South Western Command | Ayeyarwady Division | Pathein | 11 × Infantry Battalions | |
| North Western Command | Sagaing Division | Monywa | 25 × Infantry Battalions | |
| Yangon Command | Yangon Division | Mayangone Township-Kone-Myint-Thar | 11 × Infantry Battalions | |
| Coastal Region Command | Tanintharyi Division | Myeik | 43 Infantry Battalions including battalions under 2 MOC based at Tavoy | |
| Triangle Region Command | Eastern Shan State | Kyaingtong | 23 Infantry Battalions | |
| Central Command | Mandalay Division | Mandalay | 31 Infantry Battalions | |
| Naypyidaw Command | Naypyidaw | Pyinmana | Formed in 2006 – ? × Infantry Battalions | |
| Eastern Central Command | Middle Shan State | Kho Lam | Formed in 2011 – 7 × Infantry Battalions |
Commanders of Regional Military Commands
| Regional Military Command | Established | First Commander | Current Commander | Notes |
| Eastern Command | 1961 | Brigadier General San Yu | Major General Lin Aung | Initially in 1961, San Yu was appointed as Commander of Eastern Command but was moved to NW Command and replaced with Col. Maung Shwe then. |
| South Eastern Command | 1961 | Brigadier General Sein Win | Major General Ko Ko Maung | In 1961 when SE Command was formed, Sein Win was transferred from former Southern Command but was moved to Central Command and replaced with Thaung Kyi then. |
| Central Command | 1961 | Colonel Thaung Kyi | Major General Ko Ko Oo | Original NW Command based at Mandalay was renamed Central Command in March 1990 and original Central Command was renamed Southern Command |
| North Western Command | 1961 | Brigadier General Kyaw Min | Major General Myo Moe Aung | Southern part of original North western Command in Mandalay was renamed Central Command in March 1990 and northern part of original NW Command was renamed NW Command in 1990. |
| South Western Command | 1961 | Colonel Kyi Maung | Major General Aung Aung | Kyi Maung was sacked in 1963 and was imprisoned few times. He became Deputy Chairman of NLD in the 1990s. |
| Yangon Command | 1969 | Colonel Thura Kyaw Htin | Major General Nyunt Win Swe | Formed as Naypyidaw Command in 1963 with deputy commander and some staff officers from Central Command. Reformed and renamed Yangon Command on 1 June 1969. |
| Western Command | 1969 | Colonel Hla Tun | Major General | |
| North Eastern Command | 1972 | Colonel Aye Ko | Major General Aung Zaw Aye | |
| Northern Command | 1947 | Brigadier Ne Win | Major General Tay Zar Kyaw | Original Northern Command was divided into Eastern Command and NW Command in 1961. Current Northern Command was formed in 1969 as a part of reorganisation and is formed northern part of previous NW Command |
| Southern Command | 1947 | Brigadier Saw Kya Doe | Major General Myo Win | Original Southern Command in Mandalay was renamed Central Command in March 1990 |
| Triangle Region Command | 1996 | Brigadier General Thein Sein | Major General Khin Hlaing | Thein Sein later became Prime Minister and elected as President in 2011 |
| Coastal Region Command | 1996 | Brigadier General Thiha Thura Thura Sit Maung | Major General Saw Than Hlaing | |
| Naypyidaw Command | 2005 | Brigadier Wei Lwin | Major General Thaung Htike Shwe | |
| Eastern Central Command | 2011 | Brigadier Mya Tun Oo | Major General Than Hlaing |
Regional Operations Commands (ROC)
Regional Operations Commands are commanded by a brigadier general, are similar to infantry brigades in Western Armies. Each consists of 4 Infantry battalions, HQ and organic support units. Commander of ROC is a position between LID/MOC commander and tactical Operation Command commander, who commands three infantry battalions. The ROC commander holds financial, administrative and judicial authority while the MOC and LID commanders do not have judicial authority.| Regional Operation Command | Headquarters | Notes |
| Loikaw Regional Operations Command | Loikaw Kayah State | |
| Laukkai Regional Operations Command | Laukkai, Shan State | |
| Kalay Regional Operations Command | Kalay, Sagaing Division | |
| Sittwe Regional Operations Command | Sittwe, Yakhine State | |
| Pyay Regional Operations Command | Pyay, Bago Division | |
| Tanaing Regional Operations Command | Tanaing, Kachin State | Formerly ROC Bhamo |
| Wanhseng Regional Operations Command | Wanhseng, Shan State | Formed in 2011 |
Military Operations Commands (MOC)
Military Operations Commands , commanded by a brigadier-general are similar to Infantry Divisions in Western Armies. Each consists of 10 Mechanised Infantry battalions equipped with BTR-3 armoured personnel carriers, Headquarters and support units including field artillery batteries. These ten battalions are organised into three Tactical Operations Commands: one Mechanised Tactical Operations Command with BTR-3 armoured personnel carriers, and two Motorized Tactical Operations Command with EQ-2102 6x6 trucks.MOC are equivalent to Light Infantry Divisions in the Myanmar Army order of battle as both command 10 infantry battalions through three TOC's. However, unlike Light Infantry Divisions, MOC are subordinate to their respective Regional Military Command Headquarters. Members of MOC does not wear distinguished arm insignias and instead uses their respective RMC's arm insignias. For example, MOC-20 in Kawthaung wore the arm insignia of Costal Region Military Command.
| Military Operation Command | Headquarters | Notes | |
| 1st Military Operations Command | Kyaukme, Shan State | ||
| 2nd Military Operations Command | Mong Nawng Shan State | ||
| 3rd Military Operations Command | Mogaung | Hpugyi, Yangon Region | Designated Airborne Division |
| 5th Military Operations Command | Taungup, Rakhine State | ||
| 6th Military Operations Command | Pyinmana, Mandalay Region | ||
| 7th Military Operations Command | Hpegon, Shan State | ||
| 8th Military Operations Command | Dawei, Tanintharyi Region | ||
| 9th Military Operations Command | Kyauktaw, Rakhine State | ||
| 10th Military Operations Command | Kyigon, Sagaing Region | ||
| 11th Military Operations Command | |||
| 12th Military Operations Command | Kawkareik, Kayin State | ||
| 13th Military Operations Command | Bokpyin, Tanintharyi Region | ||
| 14th Military Operations Command | Mong Hsat, Shan State | ||
| 15th Military Operations Command | Buthidaung, Rakhine State | ||
| 16th Military Operations Command | Theinni, Shan State | ||
| 17th Military Operations Command | Mong Pan, Shan State | ||
| 18th Military Operations Command | Mong Hpayak, Shan State | ||
| 19th Military Operations Command | Ye, Mon State | ||
| 20th Military Operations Command | Kawthaung, Tanintharyi Region | ||
| 21st Military Operations Command | Bhamo, Kachin State |
Light Infantry Divisions (LID)
Light Infantry Division, commanded by a brigadier general, each with 10 Light Infantry Battalions organised under 3 Tactical Operations Commands, commanded by a Colonel,, 1 Field Artillery Battalion, 1 Armour Squadron and other support units.These divisions were first introduced to the Myanmar Army in 1966 as rapid reaction mobile forces for strike operations. 77th Light Infantry Division was formed on 6 June 1966, followed by 88th Light Infantry Division and 99th Light Infantry Division in the two following years. 77th LID was largely responsible for the defeat of the Communist forces of the CPB based in the forested hills of the central Bago Mountains in the mid-1970s. Three more LIDs were raised in the latter half of the 1970s with their headquarters at Pyay, Aungban and Thaton. They were followed by another two LIDs in the period prior to the 1988 military coup. 11th LID was formed in December 1988 with headquarters at Inndine, Bago Division and 101st LID was formed in 1991 with its headquarters at Pakokku.
Each LID, commanded by Brigadier General level officers, consists of 10 light infantry battalions specially trained in counter-insurgency, jungle warfare, "search and destroy" operations against ethnic insurgents and narcotics-based armies. These battalions are organised under three Tactical Operations Commands. Each TOC, commanded by a Colonel, is made up of three or more combat battalions, with command and support elements similar to that of brigades in Western armies. One infantry battalion is held in reserve. As of 2000, all LIDs have their own organic Field Artillery units. For example, 314th Field Artillery Battery is now attached to 44th LID. Some of the LID battalions have been given Parachute and Air Borne Operations training and two of the LIDs have been converted to mechanised infantry formation with divisional artillery, armoured reconnaissance and tank battalions
LIDs are considered to be a strategic asset of the Myanmar Army, and after the 1990 reorganisation and restructuring of the Tatmadaw command structure, they are now directly answerable to Chief of Staff.
| Light Infantry Division | Badge | Year formed | Headquarters | First Commander | Current Commander | Notes |
| 11th Light Infantry Division | 1988 | Inndine | Col. Win Myint | Formed after 1988 military coup. | ||
| 22nd Light Infantry Division | 1987 | Hpa-An | Col. Tin Hla | Involved in crackdown of unarmed protestors during 8.8.88 democracy uprising | ||
| 33rd Light Infantry Division | 1984 | Mandalay/later Sagaing | Col. Kyaw Ba | Involved in crackdown against the Rohingya in northern Rakhine state Involved in the Kachin conflict | ||
| 44th Light Infantry Division | 1979 | Thaton | Col. Myat Thin | |||
| 55th Light Infantry Division | 1980 | Sagaing/later Kalaw | Col. Phone Myint | |||
| 66th Light Infantry Division | 1976 | Innma | Col. Taung Zar Khaing | |||
| 77th Light Infantry Division | 1966 | Hmawbi/later Bago | Col. Tint Swe | |||
| 88th Light Infantry Division | 1967 | Magway | Col. Than Tin | |||
| 99th Light Infantry Division | 1968 | Meiktila | Col. Kyaw Htin | Involved in crackdown against the Rohingya in northern Rakhine state | ||
| 101st Light Infantry Division | 1991 | Pakokku | Col. Saw Tun | Units of 101st LID were deployed during the purge of Military Intelligence faction in 2004. |
Missile, Artillery and armoured units
Missile, Artillery and armoured units were not used in an independent role, but were deployed in support of the infantry by the Ministry of Defence as required. The Directorate of Artillery and Armour Corps was also divided into separate corps in 2001. The Directorate of Artillery and Missile Corps was also divided into separate corps in 2009. A dramatic expansion of forces under these directorates followed with the equipment procured from China, Russia, Ukraine and India.Directorate of Missiles
No(1) Missile Operational Command MOC(1)
- HQ battalion
- 10 Missile Battalions:
Directorate of Artillery
As of 2000, the Artillery wing of the Tatmadaw has about 60 battalions and 37 independent Artillery companies/batteries attached to various Regional Military Commands, Light Infantry Divisions, Military Operation Command and Regional Operation Command. For example, 314th Artillery Battery is under 44th LID, 326 Artillery Battery is attached to 5th MOC, 074 Artillery Battery is under the command of ROC and 076 Artillery Battery is under North-Eastern RMC. Twenty of these Artillery battalions are grouped under 707th Artillery Operation Command headquarters in Kyaukpadaung and 808th Artillery Operation Command headquarters in Oaktwin, near Taungoo. The remaining 30 battalions, including 7 Anti-Aircraft artillery battalions are under the Directorate of Artillery Corps.
Artillery Operations Command (AOC)
- HQ battalion
- 12 Artillery battalions:
- * 6 Light Field artillery battalion equipped with 105 mm, 76 mm, 75 mm howitzers, field guns and mountain guns,
- * 3 Medium Field Artillery battalion equipped with 155 mm, 130 mm, 122 mm howitzers and field guns,
- * 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher battalion equipped with 122 mm self-propelled and towed launchers,
- * 1 Air Defence Artillery battalion with 37 mm, 57 mm Anti-Aircraft guns or SA 18 IGLAs) man portable surface-to-air missiles and
- * 1 target acquisition battalion.
- support units
Directorate of Armour
No. 1 Armour Company and No. 2 Armour Company were formed in July 1950 under the Directorate of Armour and Artillery Corps with Sherman tanks, Stuart light tanks, Humber Scout Cars, Ferret [armored car (military)">armoured cars and Universal Bren Carriers. These two companies were merged on 1 November 1950 to become No. 1 Armour Battalion with Headquarters in Mingalardon. On 15 May 1952 No. [Tank">AUNG BAN)Directorate of Armour
No. 1 Armour Company and No. 2 Armour Company were formed in July 1950 under the Directorate of Armour and Artillery Corps with Sherman tanks, Stuart light tanks, Humber Scout Cars, Ferret [armored car (military)">armoured cars and Universal Bren Carriers. These two companies were merged on 1 November 1950 to become No. 1 Armour Battalion with Headquarters in Mingalardon. On 15 May 1952 No. [Tank Battalion was formed with 25 Comet tanks acquired from the United Kingdom. The Armour Corps within Myanmar Army was the most neglected one for nearly thirty years since the Tatmadaw had not procured any new tanks or armoured carriers since 1961.Armoured divisions, known as Armoured Operations Command, under the command of Directorate of Armour Corps, were also expanded in number from one to two, each with four Armoured Combat battalions equipped with Infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, three tank battalions equipped with main battle tanks and three Tank battalions equipped with light tanks.
In mid-2003, Tamadaw acquired 139+ T-72 main battle tanks from Ukraine and signed a contract to build and equip a factory in Myanmar to produce and assemble 1,000 BTR armoured personnel carriers in 2004. In 2006, the Government of India transferred an unspecified number of T-55 main battle tanks that were being phased out from active service to Tatmadaw along with 105 mm light field guns, armoured personnel carriers and indigenous HAL Light Combat Helicopters in return for Tatmadaw's support and co-operation in flushing out Indian insurgent groups operating from its soil.
Armoured Operations Command (AROC)
Armoured Operations Commands are equivalent to Independent armoured divisions in western terms. Currently there are 5 Armoured Operations Commands under Directorate of Armoured Corps in the Tatmadaw order of battle. Tatmadaw planned to establish an AROC each in 7 Regional Military Commands. Typical armoured divisions in the Myanmar Army are composed of Headquarters, Three Armored Tactical Operations Command – each with one mechanised infantry battalion equipped with 44 BMP-1 or MAV-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Two Tank Battalions equipped with 44 main battle tanks each, one armoured reconnaissance battalion equipped with 32 Type-63A Amphibious Light Tanks, one field artillery battalion and a support battalion. The support battalion is composed of an engineer squadron, two logistic squadrons, and a signal company.The Myanmar Army acquired about 150 refurbished EE-9 Cascavel armoured cars from an Israeli firm in 2005. Classified in the army's service as a light tank, the Cascavel is currently deployed in the eastern Shan State and triangle regions near the Thai border.
| Armoured Operations Command | Headquarters | Notes |
| 71st Armoured Operations Command | Pyawbwe | |
| 72nd Armoured Operations Command | ||
| 73rd Armoured Operations Command | ||
| 74th Armoured Operations Command | ||
| 75th Armoured Operations Command |
Bureau of Air Defence
The Air Defence Command was formed during the late 1990s but was not fully operational until late 1999. It was renamed Bureau of Air Defence in the early 2000s. In early 2000, Tatmadaw established Myanmar Integrated Air Defence System with help from Russia, Ukraine and China. It is a tri-service bureau with units from all three branches of Myanmar Armed Forces. All Air Defence assets except Anti-Aircraft Artillery within Tatmadaw arsenal are integrated into MIADS. AAA guns are mostly unguided and deploy to use in barrage-style firing against attacking aircraft. MIADS is directly answerable to Bureau of Air Defence under Ministry of Defence.In 2010, Myanmar Air Defence Command has completed installation of optical fibre communication network throughout the country. Those network are to be used for Air defence operations between Central Command HQ from capital & several air bases, early warning radar stations & mobile anti air craft missile & artillery units. After completion of fibre optic project & radar stations, MIADS becomes the most advance AD system in the region.
| Chief of Staff of Air Defence | Years | Notes |
| Lt. General Soe Win | 1997–2004 | Later became Prime Minister |
| Lt. General Myint Hlaing | 2004–2010 | Later became Union Minister for Agricultural and Irrigation |
| Lt. General Sein Win | 2010–2015 | Later became Union Minister for Defense |
| Lt. General Tin Maung Win | 2016– |
Sector Operations Commands
Under MIADS, the country was divided into six Air Defence Sectors, each controlled by a Sector Operations Center and reporting directly to the National Air Defence Operations Centre in Yangon. Each SOC transmitted data back to Intercept Operations Centers, which in turn controlled surface-to-air missile batteries and fighter/interceptor squadrons at various Air Bases. Each IOC was optimised to direct either SAMs or fighter/interceptor aircraft against incoming enemy aircraft or missile. Each IOC was connected to observer and early warning area reporting posts via military owned underground fibre optic cable network. There were about 100 radar stations located at approximately 40 sites throughout the country. New Air Defence radars such as 1L117 radars, Galaxy Early Warning Radar and P series radars are installed in all radar stations.Each Sector Operation Center is commanded by a major general and it consists of one air defence division from Myanmar Army and one fighter-interceptor wing from Myanmar Air Force. Sometimes Air Defence Frigates from Myanmar Navy also operate under the direct command of respective SOC.
Each Air Defence division is commanded by a brigadier general and consists of three Air Defence Tactical Operations Command and support units. One Medium Range Surface to Air Missile Tactical Operations Command, with three battalions equipped with Buk M-1 or Kub missile system is deployed in an Area Defence Belt role. One Short Range Air Defence Tactical Operations Command, with three battalions equipped with Tor M-1 missile system is deployed in a Point Defence role for critical areas such as radar stations, fighter bases and SOC headquarters. One Electronic Reconnaissance Tactical Operations Command with 6 to 8 radar and communication companies for early warnings and interdiction detection.
Each fighter-interceptor wing commanded by a brigadier general and is composed of three Fighter squadrons of either MiG-29 and F-7M AirguardiInterceptors and their ground base support units.
| Sector Operation Centers | Headquarters | Notes |
| Northern SOC | Myitkyina | |
| Southern SOC | Myeik | |
| Western SOC | Sittwe | |
| Eastern SOC | Tachilek | |
| South Eastern SOC | Yay | |
| Central SOC | Meiktila |
Directorate of Signal
Soon after the independence in 1948, Myanmar Signal Corps was formed with units from Burma Signals, also known as "X" Branch. It consisted HQ Burma Signals, Burma Signal Training Squadron and Burma Signals Squadron. HQ Burma Signals was located within War Office. BSTS based in Pyain Oo Lwin was formed with Operating Cipher Training Troop, Dispacth Rider Training Troop, Lineman Training Troop, Radio Mechanic Training Troop and Regimental Signals Training Troop. BSS, based in Mingalardon, had nince sections: Administration Troop, Maintenance Troop, Operating Troop, Cipher Troop, Lineman and Dispatch Rider Troop, NBSD Signals Troop, SBSD Signals Troop, Mobile Brigade Signals Toop and Arakan Signals Toop. The then Chief of Signal Staff Officer was Lieutenant Colonel Saw Aung Din. BSTS and BSS were later renamed No. 1 Signal Battalion and No.1 Signal Training Battalion. In 1952, the Infantry Divisional Signals Regiment was formed and later renamed to No. 2 Signal Battalion. HQ Burma Signals was reorganised and became Directorate Signal and the director was elevated to the rank of Colonel. In 1956, No. 1 Signal Security Battalion was formed, followed by No. 3 Signal Battalion in November 1958 and No.4 Signal Battalion in October 1959.In 1961, signal battalions were reorganised as No. 11 Signal Battalion under North Eastern Regional Military Command, No. 121 Signal Battalion under Eastern Command, No. 313 Signal Battalion under Central Command, No.414 Signal Battalion under South Western Command, and No. 515 Signal Battalion under South Eastern Command. No.1 Signal Training Battalion was renamed Burma Signal Training Depot.
By 1988, Directorate of Signals command one training depot, eight signal battalions, one signal security battalion, one signal store depot and two signal workshops. Signal Corps under Directorate of Signal further expanded during 1990 expansion and reorganisation of Myanmar Armed Forces. By 2000, a signal battalion is attached to each Regional Military Command and signal companies are now attached to Light Infantry Divisions and Military Operations Commands.
In 2000, Command, Control and Communication system of Myanmar Army has been substantially upgraded by setting up the military fibre optic communication network managed by Directorate of Signal throughout the country. Since 2002 all Myanmar Army Regional Military Command HQs used its own telecommunication system. Satellite communication links are also provided to forward-deployed infantry battalions. However, battle field communication systems are still poor. Infantry units are still using TRA 906 and PRM 4051 which were acquired from UK in the 1980s. Myanmar Army also uses the locally built TRA 906 Thura and Chinese XD-D6M radio sets. Frequency hopping handsets are fitted to all front line units.
Between 2000 and 2005, Myanmar army bought 50 units of Brett 2050 Advanced Tech radio set from Aussie through third party from Singapore. Those units are distributed to ROCs in central & upper regions to use in counterinsurgency operations.
Directorate of Medical Services
At the time of independence in 1948, the medical corps has two Base Military Hospitals, each with 300 beds, in Mingalardon and Pyin Oo Lwin, a Medical Store Depot in Yangon, a Dental Unit and six Camp Reception Stations located in Myitkyina, Sittwe, Taungoo, Pyinmana, Bago and Meikhtila. Between 1958 and 1962, the medical corps was restructred and all Camp Reception Stations were reorganised into Medical Battalions.In 1989, Directorate of Medical Services has significantly expanded along with the infantry. In 2007, there are two 1,000-bed Defence Services General Hospitals, two 700-bed hospitals in Pyin Oo Lwin and Aung Ban, two 500-bed military hospitals in Meikhtila and Yangon, one 500-bed Defence Services Orthopedic Hospital in Mingalardon, two 300-bed Defence Services Obstetric, Gynecological and Children hospitals, three 300-bed Military Hospitals, eighteen 100-bed Military Hospitals, fourteen field medical battalions, which are attached to various Regional Military Commands throughout the country. Each Field Medical Battalion consist of 3 Field Medical Companies with 3 Field Hospital Units and a specialist team each. Health & Disease Control Unit is responsible for prevention, control & eradication of diseases.
| Units | Headquarter | RMC |
| Medical Corps Centre | Hmawbi | Yangon Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Mandalay | Central Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Taunggyi | Eastern Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Taungoo | Southern Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Pathein | South Western Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Mawlamyaing | South Eastern Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Hmawbi | Yangon Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Monywa | North Western Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Sittwe | Western Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Mohnyin | Northern Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Lashio | North Eastern Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Bhamo | Northern Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Kengtung | Triangle Region Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Myeik | Coastal Region Command |
| No. Field Medical Battalion | Taikkyi | Yangon Command |
| Health and Disease Control Unit | Mingaladon | Yangon Command |
Training
Defence academies and colleges
| Flags | Academies | Locations |
| National Defence College – NDC | Naypyidaw | - |
| Defence Services Command and General Staff College – DSCGSC | Kalaw | - |
| Defence Services Academy – DSA | Pyin U Lwin | - |
| Defence Services Technological Academy – DSTA | Pyin U Lwin | - |
| Defence Services Medical Academy – DSMA | Yangon | - |
| Military Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Science – MINP | Yangon | - |
| Military Computer And Technological Institute – MCTI | - |
Training schools
| Badge | Training Schools | Locations |
| Officer Training School – OTS | Fort Ba Htoo | |
| Basic Army Combat Training School | Fort Ba Htoo | |
| 1st Army Combat Forces School | Fort Ba Htoo | |
| 2nd Army Combat Forces School | Fort Bayinnaung | |
| Artillery Training School | Mone Tai | |
| Armour Training School | Maing Maw | |
| Electronic Warfare School | Pyin U Lwin | |
| Engineer School | Pyin U Lwin | |
| Information Warfare School | Yangon | |
| Air, Land and Paratroops Training School | Hmawbi | |
| Special Forces School | Fort Ye Mon |
Ranks and insignia
The various rank of the Myanmar Army are listed below in descending order:Commissioned officers
Note: Senior General is the highest rank in Myanmar Armed Forces.Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
s are referred to as Saya, meaning Teacher, by both enlisted men and officers. Regiment Sergeant Major, Company Sergeant Majors are bo lay escThis Master Sergeant/ Sergeant are referred to as Sayagyi, literally meaning "Old Teacher", are referred to as Saya and Corporal/Lance Corporal as Sayalay. These unofficial ranks are used throughout the daily life of all branches. Non-Commissioned Officers within the Myanmar Armed Forces are usually seasoned veteran soldiers. Thus both Officers and enlisted men refer to them as "teacher" out of respect.| Myanmar title | ||||||||
| MLC TS | Ayagan Bo | Du-Ayagan Bo | Tatkhwè Tatkyatkyi | Tatkyatkyi | Tatkyat | Du-Tatkyat | Tet Thar | Tet Thar Teet |
| Western Version | Warrant Officer | Regimental Sergeant Major | Staff Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance Corporal | Private | Private Recruit |
| UK equivalent | Warrant Officer Class One | Warrant Officer Class Two | Staff Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance Corporal | Private | Private Recruit |
Order of battle
- 14 x Regional Military Commands organised in 6 Bureau of Special Operations
- 6 x Regional Operations Commands
- 20 × Military Operations Commands including 1 x Airborne Infantry Division
- 10 x Light Infantry Divisions
- 10 x Armoured Operation Commands
- 10 x Artillery Operation Commands
- 6 x Anti-Aircraft Artillery/Air Defence Division
- 40+ Military Affair Security Companies
- 45 Advanced Signal Battalions
- 54 Field Engineer Battalions
- 4 Armoured Engineer Battalions
- 14 Medical Battalions
Equipment