The Myanmar Army (Burmese: တပ်မတော်(ကြည်း); pronounced [taʔmədɔ̀ tɕí]) is the largest branch of the Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar. It is responsible for land-based military operations. The Myanmar Army is the second largest active military force in Southeast Asia after the People's Army of Vietnam. Since 1948, it has fought against ethnic and political insurgents in Myanmar.
The army is led by the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Army, currently Vice-Senior General Soe Win. The overall head of the armed forces is Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who holds the rank of Senior General, which is similar to a field marshal. Major General Zaw Min Tun is the official spokesperson for the army.
In 2011, the Myanmar Army introduced a military draft. All men aged 18–35 and women aged 18–27 can serve two years as enlisted soldiers during national emergencies. Professionals may serve up to three years as officers, with age limits of 45 for men and 35 for women. Military spending in 2011 was about 1.8 trillion kyat (US$2 billion), or 23.6% of the national budget.
In the 1930s, several Burmese organizations, including Dobama Asiayone, wanted independence from British rule. Thakin Aung San and 29 others, known as the “30 Comrades”, trained under the Japanese army. They formed the Burmese Independence Army (BIA), which later became the Burmese Defense Army (BDA). After World War II, they briefly became the Patriotic Burmese Force (PBF) under British control.
Post-Independence Era
Myanmar Army Honour Guards saluting the arrival of the Thai delegation in October 2010
When Myanmar gained independence in 1948, the army was small and divided. It was reorganized by merging the British Burma Army and Patriotic Burmese Forces. Early units were often based on ethnicity, including battalions for Bamar, Karen, Kachin, Chin, and Gurkha soldiers.
Organisation
The Myanmar Army is the largest branch of the military and receives most of the defense budget. Its basic unit is the battalion (Tat Yinn), which includes:
• Headquarters company (medical, transport, logistics, signals)
• Four rifle companies (Tat Khwe), each with three platoons (Tat Su)
•Heavy weapons company (mortars, machine guns, recoilless guns)
Battalions are led by lieutenant colonels, with majors as deputies. Light infantry battalions are smaller, usually around 500 soldiers.
Expansion and Modernisation
Since 1988, the army has increased its personnel, weapons, and mobility. It added armoured and artillery units, including T-69II tanks and armoured personnel carriers. The army became stronger in conventional warfare and jungle operations.
Bureaus of Special Operations (BSO)
Bureau of Special Operations
The BSO are high-level army units like field armies. They coordinate multiple regional commands. The first BSO was formed in 1978. Currently, there are six BSOs overseeing different regions of Myanmar.
Regional Military Commands
The army is organized into Regional Military Commands (RMCs), similar to corps in Western armies. Each RMC manages infantry, light infantry, artillery, and armoured units. Examples of RMCs in 2010 include:
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 Kyi Khaing
Original NW Command based at Mandalay was renamed Central Command in March 1990 and original Central Command was renamed Southern Command
Southern part of original Northwestern Command in Mandalay was renamed Central Command in March 1990 and northern part of original NW Command was renamed NW Command in 1990.
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.
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
Brigadier General Kyi Theik
Original Southern Command in Mandalay was renamed Central Command in March 1990
14 × Regional Military Commands (RMC) organised in 6 Bureau of Special Operations (BSO)
6 × Regional Operations Commands (ROC)
20 × Military Operations Commands (MOC) including 1 × Airborne Infantry Division
10 × Light Infantry Divisions (LID)
5 × Armoured Operation Commands (AOC) (Each with 6 Tank Battalions and 4 Armoured Infantry Battalions (IFVs/APCs).)
10 × Artillery Operation Commands (AOC) (with of 113 Field Artillery Battalions)
9 × Air Defence Operation Commands
1 × Missile Operation Commands
40+ × Military Affairs Security Companies (MAS Units replaces former Military Intelligence Units after the disbandment of the Directorate of Defence Service Intelligence (DDSI))
Myanmar
Myanmar Armed Forces
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
Vice-Senior General Soe Win
Major General Zaw Min Tun
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