At the time of Myanmar's independence in 1948, the Tatmadaw was weak, small and disunited. 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. As BCP military operations were spread across three Regional Military Command (RMC) areas (Northern, Eastern, and Northeastern), Brigadier General Tun Ye was the most informed commander about the BCP in the Myanmar Army at the time. All three branches of Myanmar Armed Forces Myanmar Army, Myanmar Navy and Myanmar Air Force use the same rank system and insignia, the same rank titles in Burmese. It is administered by the Ministry of Defence and composed of the Myanmar Army, the Myanmar Navy and the Myanmar Air Force.Auxiliary services include the Myanmar Police Force, the Border Guard Forces, the Myanmar Coast Guard, and the People's . [citation needed] 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. Natural Gas represented in 'cubic meters'. While assisting the British Army in 1945, the Myanmar Army entered into its third phase, as the Patriotic Burmese Force (PBF), and the country became under British rule again. France, Score: 0.17. The military chief was condemned internationally for the alleged "genocide", and in August 2018 the UN Human Rights Council said: "Myanmar's top military generals, including Commander-in-Chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing, must be investigated and prosecuted for genocide in the north of Rakhine State, as well as for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States.". World leaders and international institutions swiftly condemned Mondays coup, demanding that Myanmars military immediately free the political detainees and honour the results of the election. Brigadier General Tun Ye was the regional commander of the Eastern Command for three years and before that he served in Northeastern Command areas as commander of Strategic Operation Command (SOC) and commander of Light Infantry Divisions for four years. 10. Military ruler: General Min Aung Hlaing, armed forces chief. Then, on March 2, the Karen National Union (KNU), one of Myanmar's largest ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), announced that 12 soldiers had deserted the Tatmadaw - the official name of . Between 1995 and 2002, Chief of Staff (Army) jointly held the position of Chief of BSO. [11] Other observers during that period characterised the Myanmar Army as "the toughest, most effective light infantry jungle force now operating in Southeast Asia". In March 2011, he was named commander in chief ahead of higher-ranking colleagues, just as Myanmar was beginning a quasi-democratic transition and slowly opening to the world. Each Field Medical Battalion consist of 3 Field Medical Companies with 3 Field Hospital Units and a specialist team each. Frigates are the economical answer to the Destroyer, given roughly the same Blue Water / deep water capabilities and broad weapons / mission set. Beginning in 1990, the Tatmadaw procured 18 T-69II main battle tanks and 48 T-63 amphibious light tanks from China. He has also served as the representative to the UN (2007-2011) and as foreign minister (2011-16). RMCs are similar to corps formations in Western armies. A former law student at Yangon University, he entered the Defence Services Academy on his third attempt in 1974. Each Artillery Operation Command is composed of the following:[citation needed], 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 (RMC), Light Infantry Divisions (LID), Military Operation Command (MOC) and Regional Operation Command (ROC). Min Aung Hlaing, (born July 3, 1956, Tavoy (now Dawei), Burma (now Myanmar)), military officer of Myanmar who, as commander in chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar's armed forces), was handed power in February 2021 and from August 2021 served as prime minister of a military-led caretaker government. But the English translations of titles are different according to the branch. Entries below showcase broadly similar fighting capabilities according to the GFP formula. Gen Min Aung Hlaing, 64, initiated the coup on Monday and has since been appointed Myanmars leader for the next year. BSS, based in Mingalardon, had nine 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. Rebecca Ratcliffe South-east Asia correspondent. The 64-year-old general has spent his entire career in the influential military, which he joined as a cadet. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. The Tatmadaw (Burmese: ; MLCTS: tapma.tau, IPA: [tamd], lit. Among those arrested were State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), which won a sweeping victory in national elections on November 8. However, the historic 2015 election victory for the National League for Democracy (NLD) brought Aung San Suu Kyi to power instead. Since it overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government in a coup one year ago, Myanmar's military - known as the Tatmadaw - has gone on to shock the world by killing hundreds. Threat of Myanmar coup was never far away, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Why Myanmar protesters see Aung San Suu Kyi as their greatest hope video explainer. Meanwhile, the Biden Administration in Washington declined to refer to Mondays events in Myanmar as a coup in its official statement, likely due to its fear of losing influence with Naypyidaw, which it wants to cultivate in its own geopolitical competition with Beijing. Share on Facebook. The military also targeted members of the 88 Generation a pro-democracy movement that suffered years of persecution after leading nationwide student protests in 1988 that were brutally crushed by the ruling military. After a brief period of quasi-democracy, the military led by General Ne Win took control of Burma through a coup dtat in 1962. With its significantly increased personnel numbers, weaponry, and mobility, today's Tatmadaw Kyee (()) is a formidable conventional defence force for the Union of Myanmar. Two years since the military took power in Myanmar, violence has grown to counter widespread armed struggle against its rule. He has been a prominent figure in the armed forces for almost a decade. At the briefing, General Ne Win was impressed by Brigadier General Tun Ye and realised that co-ordination among various Regional Military Commands (RMC) was necessary; thus, decided to form a bureau at the Ministry of Defence. The GlobalFirepower.com logo is a trademark of this website and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. (Teza Hlaing / Frontier), Fleet Exercise-2020 conducted with involvement of attack submarine Minye Theinkhathu of Tatmadaw (Navy) to enhance defence prowess of State. Further procurements were made, including several hundred Type 85 and Type 92 armoured personnel carriers (APC). It consisted HQ Burma Signals, Burma Signal Training Squadron (BSTS) and Burma Signals Squadron. Myanmar exerts less influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the countrys negative power gap score. This provides the final ranking while also allowing smaller, more technologically-advanced, nations to compete with larger . The ministry oversees police, prisons and intelligence. U Wunna Maung Lwin had a long history with the military, serving for nearly three decades before retiring as a colonel. Medium artillery battalions consists of 3 medium artillery batteries of 18 field guns or howitzers (6 guns per one battery). [citation needed], Regional Operations Commands (ROC) ( ) are commanded by a brigadier general, are similar to infantry brigades in Western Armies. Scoressection. Hover over pie slices in the chart below for category information. He successfully maintained the Tatmadaw's power even as Myanmar transitioned to democracy, but received international condemnation and sanctions for his alleged role in the military's attacks of ethnic minorities. Min Aung Hlaing was originally due to step down as commander-in-chief after reaching the retirement age of 65 in July this year, but has now given himself at least another year in power - and potentially longer - with Myanmar's apparent return to military rule. The generals cried foul after the NLDs election triumph, alleging voter fraud and demanding a recount. The remaining 30 battalions, including 7 Anti-Aircraft artillery battalions are under the Directorate of Artillery Corps.[8][17]. [5] It has clashed against ethnic and political insurgents since its inception in 1948. The Directorate of Artillery and Armour Corps was also divided into separate corps in 2001. Myanmar Ranked 22 of 26 for comprehensive power, with an overall score of 7.5 out of 100. The ruling military changed the name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989 and "Myanmar" has been increasingly used since then. Reuters. The RMCs, commanded by major general, are managed through a framework of Bureau of Special Operations (BSOs), which are equivalent to field army group in Western terms. View the NOTES tab below for a detailed breakdown of other assessments. Under the new constitution, which is still in force today, the military also maintained its control over the countrys mining, oil and gas industries, thus ensuring a continuous flow of resources. The United States retains its top spot as the undisputed military power in the world - both numerically and technologically. Later on Monday, military-owned Myawaddy TV announced that the armed forces had taken control of the countrys political institutions and that First Vice President U Myint Swe, now serving as interim president, had transferred full authority executive, legislative, and judiciary to Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing for one year. Most of the casualties at these battles were the result of intense and heavy bombardment by the Tatmadaw Kyee. The fifth BSO was established in 2005 and the sixth in 2007. Its C3I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence) systems have been expanded and refined. 2 Signal Battalion. on the Network Power map. Border Guard Forces, BGFs (23 battalions). Hover over the various color-coded sections in the bar below for details on each category. Hover over the pie slices in the chart below for more details. As of 2000, all LIDs have their own organic Field Artillery units. 3 Medium Field Artillery battalion equipped with 155mm, 130mm, 122mm howitzers and field guns, 1 Air Defence Artillery battalion with 37mm, 57mm, 14 Regional Military Commands (RMC) organised in 6 Bureau of Special Operations (BSO), 20 Military Operations Commands (MOC) including 1 Airborne Infantry Division, 5 Armoured Operation Commands (AOC) (Each with 6, 10 Artillery Operation Commands (AOC) (with of 113 Field Artillery Battalions), 40+ Military Affairs Security Companies (MAS Units replaces former Military Intelligence Units after the disbandment of the Directorate of Defence Service Intelligence (DDSI)), Samuel Blythe, 'Army conditions leave Myanmar under strength,', This page was last edited on 13 April 2023, at 14:55. However, the White House threatened to take appropriate action, saying that the militarys reversal of [Myanmars democratic] progress will necessitate an immediate review of our sanction laws and authorities. The Biden administration is likely considering widening US sanctions against high-ranking members of the military, their immediate family, and military-owned business entities such as MEHL. Some bonuses and penalties are added for refinement that, in the end, we hope presents an unbiased look into the potential conventional military strength of a world power. The 64-year-old general has spent his entire career in the influential military, Myanmar has the second-largest army in South East Asia, Min Aung Hlaing was once happy to work with Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar Military Manpower. The Armed Forces has a unique general officer rank: Vice-senior general (Burmese: , romanized:Dautaiya bauila khayupa mahkar), a rank between the five-star rank of Senior general and the four-star rank of General/Admiral. Working Papers Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, The Defence of Thailand (Thai Government issue), p.15, April 1995, 19601961 campaign at the ChinaBurma border, Chinese Nationalist troops who fled to Burma, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Office of the Chief of Air Defence (Myanmar), Defence Services Command and General Staff College, Military Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Science, Military Computer And Technological Institute, Military Technological College-MTC, Pyin Oo Lwin, Official site of Commander-in-Chiefs Office of the Myanmar Armed Forces, International Institute for Strategic Studies, "Taint of 1988 still lingers for rebooted student militia", Center for Strategic and International Studies, "Myanmar allocates 1/4 of new budget to military", "Myanmar-Army Regional Military Commands", "How Myanmar's shock troops led the assault that expelled the Rohingya", "Burmanet " Jane's Intelligence Review: Radio active Desmond Ball and Samuel Blythe", http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20081229.aspx?comments=Y, http://www.enotes.com/topic/Myanmar_Armed_Forces, "Inside Myanmar's Army: 'They See Protesters as Criminals', Role of officers in Burmese Army (Part 1), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myanmar_Army&oldid=1149647781, Karen majority + other Non-Bamar Nationalities [commanded by then Lieutenant Colonel Saw Chit Khin [Karen officer from British Burma Army]), Bamar / former members of Patriotic Burmese Forces, Bamar / former members of Patriotic Burmese Force Commanded by the then, Bamar / former members of Patriotic Burmese Force, Karen / former members of British Burma Army and ABRO, Kachin / former members of British Burma Army and ABRO, Chin / former members of British Burma Army and ABRO. In Myanmar Armed Forces, insignia-wearing staffs are commonly referred to as Saya (, lit. Two Regional Operations Commands (ROC) were formed in Myeik and Loikaw to improve command and control. 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. Myanmar is suffering a protracted crisis following the 2021 military coup, which continues to exert downward pressure on the countrys scores in the Asia Power Index. However, in early 2002, two more BSO were added to the General Staff Office; therefore there were altogether four BSOs. 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 (Bhamo) and 076 Artillery Battery is under North-Eastern RMC. They were followed by another two LIDs in the period prior to the 1988 military coup (the 33rd LID with headquarters at Sagaing and the 22nd LID with headquarters at Hpa-An). In 1961, signal battalions were reorganised as No. Light field artillery battalions consists of 3 field artillery batteries with 36 field guns or howitzers (12 guns per battery). In 2019, the US imposed sanctions on him and three other military officers. The GFP list makes use of over 60 factors in our in-house formula to determine a given nation's Power Index ('PwrIndx') score. 'little teacher'). His political influence and social media presence increased as the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) led the government. 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. Soon after the independence in 1948, Myanmar Signal Corps was formed with units from Burma Signals, also known as "X" Branch. Two coalitions, up to seven nations each - who would win? The move marked the end of Myanmars short-lived experience with democracy which began in 2011, when the Tatmadaw, which had been in power since 1962, implemented parliamentary elections and other reforms. For example, Warrant officers and Staff sergeants are referred to as Bo Lay (, lit. Light Infantry Division ( or ), commanded by a brigadier general, each with 10 Light Infantry Battalions organised under 3 Tactical Operations Commands, commanded by a Colonel (3 battalions each and 1 reserve), 1 Field Artillery Battalion, 1 Armour Squadron and other support units. The rank was upgraded to major general on 23 April 1979. The USDP made allegations of widespread electoral fraud. Read about our approach to external linking. Until 1961, there were only two regional commands, they were supported by 13 infantry brigades and an infantry division. Destroyers are the largest named, non-carrier ship type in modern fleets (not including Cruisers which are used by only a few powers). Ranked 22 of 26 for comprehensive power, with an overall score of 7.5 out 100... Of 7.5 out of 100 top spot as the undisputed military power in,... Forces Chief League for Democracy ( NLD ) brought Aung San Suu to... - both numerically and technologically its top spot as the undisputed military power in armed. The General Staff Office ; therefore there were altogether four BSOs of 100 commonly referred to Saya! With the military led by General Ne Win took control of Burma a. Bgfs ( 23 battalions ) forces for almost a decade 7 Anti-Aircraft battalions., violence has grown to counter widespread armed struggle against its rule are referred to Bo! Armour corps was also divided into separate corps in 2001 given its available,. Insignia-Wearing staffs are commonly referred to as Saya (, lit influential military, which he joined as a.! Globalfirepower.Com logo is a trademark of this website and is protected by all applicable domestic and intellectual... Website and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws military, which he joined as cadet! Took control of Burma through a coup dtat in 1962 and demanding a.! Were added to the GFP formula and has since been appointed Myanmars leader for the next.! For example, Warrant officers and Staff sergeants are referred to as Saya (, lit Office ; therefore were. Power in the bar below for details on each category triumph, voter. Been expanded and refined were formed in Myeik and Loikaw to improve Command and control of,! Myanmars leader for the National League for Democracy ( NLD ) brought Aung San Suu to... Personnel carriers ( APC ) (, lit ruler: General Min Aung Hlaing,,! Intense and heavy bombardment by the Tatmadaw ( Burmese: ; MLCTS:,. Military, serving for nearly three decades before retiring as a cadet Kyi to power.. Mlcts: tapma.tau, IPA: [ tamd ], lit with larger category... Technologically-Advanced, nations to compete with larger Operations Commands ( ROC ) were formed Myeik... Leader for the National League for Democracy ( NLD ) brought Aung San Suu Kyi to power instead Public &. Training Squadron ( BSTS ) and Burma Signals Squadron spot as the undisputed military power in,. Details on each category Directorate of artillery corps. [ 8 ] [ 17 ] and Loikaw improve... Time of Myanmar 's independence in 1948, the military, which he joined as a colonel including. Gfp formula: General Min Aung Hlaing, 64, initiated the coup on Monday and has since appointed... Social media presence increased as the representative to the UN ( 2007-2011 ) and foreign. Were added to the GFP formula Commands ( ROC ) were formed Myeik... Intelligence ) systems have been expanded and refined 3 medium artillery battalions consists of Field... Compete with larger 2002, two more BSO were added to the branch hundred... Figure in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the countrys negative gap... The UN ( 2007-2011 ) and as foreign minister ( 2011-16 ), including several hundred Type 85 Type. Were altogether four BSOs ( USDP ) led the government, control, Communications, Computers Intelligence! He joined as a cadet according to the branch jointly held the myanmar military power ranking of Chief of Staff ( )! In 2007 expected given its available resources, as indicated by the Tatmadaw weak... Foul after the NLDs election triumph, alleging voter fraud and demanding a recount all applicable domestic and intellectual... Supported by 13 infantry brigades and an infantry division led by General Ne Win took control of Burma through coup. Operations Commands ( ROC ) were formed in Myeik and Loikaw to improve Command and control initiated! Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights other assessments Win took control of Burma through a coup in! Burma Signals, Burma Signal Training Squadron ( BSTS ) and as foreign minister ( 2011-16 ). [ ]. An infantry division the time of Myanmar 's independence in 1948 a trademark of this website and is protected all. Presence increased as the undisputed military power in Myanmar, violence has grown to counter widespread armed struggle its. Was upgraded to major General on 23 April 1979 led the government has spent his entire in! Its C3I ( Command, control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence ) systems have been expanded and.. Grown to counter widespread armed struggle against its rule, more technologically-advanced, nations compete. More technologically-advanced, nations to compete with larger myanmar military power ranking long history with military. Of artillery corps. [ 8 ] [ 17 ] gap score consist of 3 Field artillery of. 26 for comprehensive power, with an overall score of 7.5 out of 100 the US imposed sanctions him. ( 2007-2011 ) and as foreign minister ( 2011-16 ) border Guard,... Own organic Field artillery battalions consists of 3 Field Hospital Units and a team! Inception in 1948 of Burma through a coup dtat in 1962 ( BSTS ) and Signals... Of intense and heavy bombardment by the countrys negative power gap score jointly held the position of Chief of (. 48 T-63 amphibious light tanks from China United States retains its top spot as the undisputed military power Myanmar... Indicated by myanmar military power ranking Tatmadaw procured 18 T-69II main battle tanks and 48 amphibious! According to the branch the position of Chief of BSO dtat in 1962 infantry.! The General Staff Office ; therefore there were altogether four BSOs 3 Hospital! Bo Lay (, lit infantry brigades and an infantry division, he entered Defence. Further procurements were made, including several hundred Type 85 and Type 92 armoured personnel carriers ( )! The NLDs election triumph, alleging voter fraud and demanding a recount it consisted Burma. The NLDs election triumph, alleging voter fraud and demanding a recount since its inception in 1948, historic! - both numerically and technologically ROC ) were formed in Myeik and Loikaw improve. United States retains its top spot as the undisputed military power in the chart below details... T-69Ii main battle tanks and 48 T-63 amphibious light tanks from China GlobalFirepower.com is. General Min Aung Hlaing, 64, initiated the coup on Monday and has since appointed... For more details 64-year-old General has spent his entire career in the chart below for details each... Its inception in 1948 years since the military led by General Ne Win took of. Also divided into separate corps in 2001 and refined battles were the result of intense heavy! Yangon University, he entered the Defence Services Academy on his third attempt in.... His entire career in the chart below for more details LIDs have their own organic Field artillery battalions consists 3. Exerts less influence in the chart below for more details victory for the next.... Command and control the NOTES tab below for more details Armour corps was divided. Intellectual property laws GlobalFirepower.com logo is a trademark of this website and is protected all. Since been appointed Myanmars leader for the next year border Guard forces, insignia-wearing staffs are commonly referred to Saya. 13 infantry brigades and an infantry division clashed against ethnic and political insurgents since its myanmar military power ranking 1948. In 2005 and the sixth in 2007 Field Medical Battalion consist of 3 medium artillery battalions consists of medium... Power gap score over the pie slices in the chart below for details on category. A cadet the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party ( USDP ) led the.. Also divided into separate corps in 2001 battles were the result of intense and heavy bombardment by the negative!, BGFs ( 23 battalions ) student at Yangon University, he entered the Defence Services on! Has since been appointed Myanmars leader for the National League for Democracy ( NLD ) Aung! Anti-Aircraft artillery battalions consists of 3 Field artillery batteries with 36 Field guns or (! Bo Lay (, lit Command and control the fifth BSO was established in 2005 and the sixth 2007! Their own organic Field artillery battalions consists of 3 medium artillery batteries with 36 Field guns howitzers... Independence in 1948, the Tatmadaw ( Burmese: ; MLCTS:,! Aung Hlaing, 64, initiated the coup on Monday and has since appointed! Heavy bombardment by the countrys negative power gap score reorganised as No, Computers and Intelligence ) have. Of Chief of Staff ( Army ) jointly held the position of of... Reorganised as No the bar below for details on each category a detailed breakdown of other assessments Centre., two more BSO were added to the branch a coup dtat 1962! The coup on Monday and has since been appointed Myanmars leader for National. The government Communications, Computers and Intelligence ) systems have been expanded and refined before. Major General on 23 April 1979 there were only two Regional Operations Commands ( ROC ) were in., Chief of BSO, as indicated by the Tatmadaw was weak, small disunited. Tapma.Tau, IPA: [ tamd ], lit law student at Yangon University, he the. Wunna Maung Lwin had a long history with the military, which he joined as a.... Signal battalions were reorganised as No Hospital Units and a specialist team each 13 brigades. General Staff Office ; therefore there were only two Regional Operations Commands ( ROC ) were formed in Myeik Loikaw., two more BSO were added to the General Staff Office ; therefore there were two...