Myanmar's military seizes power in coup after detaining leader Aung San Suu Kyi and ruling party politicians However, despite embarking on some democratic reforms and installing a. But the English translations of titles are different according to the branch. On 1 February 2021, Myanmar's military took power in a coup, abruptly halting the country's fragile transition towards democracy. Myanmar's coup: Why now - and what's next? Myanmar Military Power Ranking. The United States retains its top spot as the undisputed military power in the world - both numerically and technologically. The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. These two companies were merged on 1 November 1950 to become No. This surface is used for the launching and retrieval of fixed-wing aircraft (as a primary function) and rotorcraft (as a secondary function). [citation needed], The army has always been by far the largest service in Myanmar and has always received the lion's share of the defence budget. [citation needed], Regional Operations Commands (ROC) ( ) are commanded by a brigadier general, are similar to infantry brigades in Western Armies. Myint Swe is a close ally of the former military leader Than Shwe, who stepped down to allow the transition to a quasi-civilian government beginning in 2011. The officer corps shared by ex-PBF officers and officers from British Burma Army and Army of Burma Reserve Organisation (ARBO). . 3. . Tatmadaw planned to establish an AROC each in 7 Regional Military Commands. Myanmar exerts less influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the countrys negative power gap score. 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. How did this peace icon end up at a genocide trial? Read about our approach to external linking. 1 Armour Company and No. A dramatic expansion of forces under these directorates followed with the equipment procured from China, Russia, Ukraine and India. Some forms are mission-specific, focusing on airspace deterrence or submarine hunting as primary roles. One infantry battalion is held in reserve. Ranking the military powers of the Southeast Asian region by country, from strongest to weakest. In the 2022 edition of the Asia Power Index, Myanmar dropped one place to 22nd. End-use products reflect a given nation's ability to produce products through manufacturing, industry, and / or agriculture. It was established as the Air Defence Command in 1997, but was not fully operational until late 1999. That transition eventually allowed Myanmar to escape the international sanctions that had isolated the regime for years, hindering foreign investment. In the Myanmar Police Force, a person of the rank of Police second lieutenant and above is called an officer (); while an officer of the rank of Police Captain and above is called a gazetted officer ().[21]. 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. (Teza Hlaing / Frontier), / photo- myo kyaw kyaw, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Military_ranks_of_Myanmar&oldid=1149712638. He is five years younger than Min Aung Hlaing. Below are descriptions of each type considered: These are either conventional- or nuclear-powered forms showcasing an expansive flight deck with hangar elevators for access. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Since 2000, the Directorate of Artillery Corps has overseen the expansion of Artillery Operations Commands(AOC) from two to 10. According to Radio Free Asia, he amassed hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, but his accounts were removed from Facebook and Twitter after the armys persecution of Rohingya Muslims. They are powerful, multi-mission oriented hulls with a broad array of sensors, processing systems, and weaponry and can support one or more rotorcraft from their included flight deck. MOC are similar to mechanised infantry divisions in Western armies, each with 10 regular infantry battalions (Chay Hlyin Tatyin), a headquarters, and organic support units including field artillery. These battalions are organised under three Tactical Operations Commands (TOC; Nee byu har). Nevertheless, the Tatmadaw still enjoys some appeal in Myanmar as the defender of national sovereignty against perceived external and domestic threats. 121 Signal Battalion under Eastern Command, No. RMCs are similar to corps formations in Western armies. The military, which views itself as the guardian of national unity, however, is not expected to heed these calls any time soon. In 1989, Directorate of Medical Services has significantly expanded along with the infantry. 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). 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 . Myanmars strongest measure is economic relationships, for which it places 17th, a result of its participation in free trade agreements, many through ASEAN. Manpower available for military service > Males age 18-49 per 1000 : This entry gives the number of males and females falling in the military age range for the country and assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Myanmar's military wasn't always a repressive force. He studied law before entering military service in the 1970s and steadily rose through the ranks to become the commander-in-chief in 2011. Despite the change, he ensured the Tatmadaw continued to hold 25% of parliamentary seats and crucial security-related cabinet portfolios, while resisting the NLD's attempts to amend the constitution and limit military power. Those claims were dismissed by the election commission ahead of a planned parliament session on 1 February to confirm the new government. The 64-year-old general has spent his entire career in the influential military, which he joined as a cadet. 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. Medium artillery battalions consists of 3 medium artillery batteries of 18 field guns or howitzers (6 guns per one battery). The rank was upgraded to major general on 23 April 1979. The US sanctioned him twice - in 2019 for his alleged role in "ethnic cleansing" and human rights violations, and in July 2020 the UK also imposed sanctions on him. (Teza Hlaing / Frontier), Fleet Exercise-2020 conducted with involvement of attack submarine Minye Theinkhathu of Tatmadaw (Navy) to enhance defence prowess of State. Though he has not had a very high international profile, Myint Swe has played a key role in the military and in politics. After ruling the country with an iron fist for almost two decades, the Tatmadaw single-handedly drafted a new constitution in 2008. 54,179,306. [24], Between 2000 and 2005, Myanmar army bought 50 units of Brett 2050 Advanced Tech radio set from Australia through third party from Singapore. Speculation of a coup grew amid the stand-off between the government and the armed forces. 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. [8][17], Each LID, commanded by Brigadier General (Bo hmu gyoke) 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. For an in-depth overview of current leading naval powers of the world, including active inventories and strengths, consult the, World Directory of Modern Military Warships (www.WDMMW.org). Each consists of 10 Mechanised Infantry battalions equipped with BTR-3 armoured personnel carriers, Headquarters and support units including field artillery batteries. Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Myanmar just weeks before the coup and held a meeting with Senior General Min Hlaing while he was in the country. By 1988, Directorate of Signals command one training depot, eight signal battalions, one signal security battalion, one signal store depot and two signal workshops. Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. 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. 3 Signal Battalion in November 1958 and No.4 Signal Battalion in October 1959. The defenders of the military in Myanmar overwhelmingly hail from the ethnic Bamar majority, who view themselves as the rightful heirs to Burmas past kingdoms. In 1988, the Burmese people, led by student activists, staged nationwide protests against economic mismanagement by the military and demanded democratic reforms. 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. 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). When the generals seized full power in Myanmar on Feb. 1, curtailing a decade-long experiment with limited democratic reforms, they surely did not expect that it would ignite so much resistance. In Myanmar, military rank system and insignia are used by the Myanmar Armed Forces, its auxiliary services, some government departments and some civilian organizations. In 1952, the Infantry Divisional Signals Regiment was formed and later renamed to No. 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. Myanmars largest decline in 2022 was in its military capability score, where it lost two places. These unofficial ranks are in used throughout the daily life of all branches of Myanmar Armed Forces. He has also served as the representative to the UN (2007-2011) and as foreign minister (2011-16). Tatmadaw's stated intention is to establish an organic Artillery Operations Command in each of the 12 Regional Military Command Headquarters. 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. Pecentages below are not part of overall strength above but rather relative to each category presented below. 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. The military has kept U Wunna Maung Lwin, 68, in his post as foreign minister. Since 2002 all Myanmar Army Regional Military Command HQs used its own telecommunication system. However, the historic 2015 election victory for the National League for Democracy (NLD) brought Aung San Suu Kyi to power instead. Globally, which countries does Myanmar do most of its tradewith? 2022 showed just how natural resources can be 'weaponized' by one party over another. Read about our approach to external linking. France, Score: 0.17. They were commanded respectively by Brigadier Soe Tint and Brigadier Maung Kyi. The GFP list makes use of over 60 factors in our in-house formula to determine a given nation's Power Index ('PwrIndx') score. In addition to the regular rank insignia, the general/flag officers have additional ones, that are only for them. Myanmar Population. Life in a war-torn Myanmar. In 2007, there are two 1,000-bed Defence Services General Hospitals (Mingalardon and Naypyitaw), 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 (Mingalardon and Naypyitaw), three 300-bed Military Hospitals (Myitkyina, Ann and Kengtung), eighteen 100-bed Military Hospitals (Mongphyet, Baan, Indaing, Bahtoo, Myeik, Pyay, Loikaw, Namsam, Lashio, Kalay, Mongsat, Dawai, Kawthaung, Laukai, Thandaung, Magway, Sittwe, and Hommalin), fourteen field medical battalions, which are attached to various Regional Military Commands throughout the country. The military tried to justify its coup by alleging widespread voter fraud in the November election and claiming that it has a constitutional mandate to take over in times of emergency. Cracks appeared along the lines of ethnic background, political affiliation, organisational origin and different services. GlobalFirepower.com (GFP) takes a rather conventional approach to hull classifications regarding per-country naval assets. A presenter on the military-owned news . For example, Warrant officers and Staff sergeants are referred to as Bo Lay (, lit. It began as an adored liberating force founded to end colonial rule. A report by Amnesty International in 2020 revealed that Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) had netted $18bn between 1990 and 2010 through military-controlled businesses, which invested the majority of revenue back into the militarys budget. The units were introduced under the General Staff Office on 28 April 1978 and 1 June 1979. There were 337 infantry battalions, including 266 light infantry battalions as of 2000. Three more LIDs were raised in the latter half of the 1970s (the 66th, 55th and 44th) with their headquarters at Pyay, Aungban and Thaton. The nation holds a Power Index score of 0.5768 with a score of 0.0000 being considered exceptional in the GFP assessment. The ruling military changed the name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989 and "Myanmar" has been increasingly used since then. Further procurements were made, including several hundred Type 85 and Type 92 armoured personnel carriers (APC). Manpower is one of the few categories that every nation satisfies in the GFP index to one extent or another. But after terminating Myanmars short-lived experience with democracy, the military will undoubtedly need a degree of international support to retain power and there are signs that China may be willing to assume the role of the Tatmadaws protector. [12] Even the Thai people, not known to praise the Burmese lightly, have described the Myanmar Army as "skilled in the art of jungle warfare".[13]. Frequency hopping handsets are fitted to all front line units. Here's a look at the long arm of the military. HQ Burma Signals was located within War Office. In October 1961, new regional military commands were opened and leaving only two independent infantry brigades. It has pledged to hold new elections within a year and said it will respect the results of that election and transfer power to the winner. [citation needed] As of 2011, all field guns of Myanmar Artillery Corps are undergoing upgrade programs including GPS Fire Control Systems. [9] 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". A coup d'tat in Myanmar began on the morning of 1 February 2021, when democratically elected members of the country's ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), were deposed by the TatmadawMyanmar's militarywhich then vested power in a military junta.Acting president Myint Swe proclaimed a year-long state of emergency and declared power had been transferred to Commander-in . In 1956, No. [5] It has clashed against ethnic and political insurgents since its inception in 1948. 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. At the time of Myanmar's independence in 1948, the Tatmadaw was weak, small and disunited. View the NOTES tab below for a detailed breakdown of other assessments. Conventionally- (diesel-electric) and nuclear-powered submersible hull designs are grouped together in the GFP analysis. In early 2000, Tatmadaw established the Myanmar Integrated Air Defence System (MIADS) () with help from Russia and China. Light field artillery battalions consists of 3 field artillery batteries with 36 field guns or howitzers (12 guns per battery). Tensions reportedly rose further after Novembers election defeat in which the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development party (USDP) was humiliated. The support battalion is composed of an engineer squadron, two logistic squadrons, and a signal company. The Myanmar military has appointed some familiar faces to key government posts after the coup that ousted the civilian government. Min Aung Hlaing assumed all state power for this period in his capacity as commander-in-chief, and immediately prioritised the alleged electoral irregularities. Myanmar Military Power 2023 Global Ranking. A further three artillery battalions were formed in the late 1952. Immediately after he was named president, Myint Swe, 69, handed power to the countrys top military commander, Min Aung Hlaing. Part of the Military Factory network of sites that includes, 2023 www.GlobalFirepower.com All Rights Reserved Content 2006-2023 (17yrs). Under Myanmars civilian government, it was one of three ministries controlled by the military, as per the countrys constitution, alongside the defence and border ministries. Initially, the chief of the BSO had the rank of brigadier general. 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. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year. Myanmar is a minor power in Asia. Fitted to all front line units part of the BSO had the rank was upgraded to major on! Posts after the coup that ousted the civilian government long arm of the military has appointed some familiar faces key... 12 Regional military Commands were opened and leaving only two independent infantry brigades they commanded! Be 'weaponized ' by one party over another BSO had the rank was to! Air Defence system ( MIADS ) ( ) with help from Russia and China ( ) with help Russia. Btr-3 armoured personnel carriers ( APC ) a key role in the GFP analysis younger than Min myanmar military power ranking assumed... Directorate of Medical Services has significantly expanded along with the infantry Divisional Signals was! As Bo Lay (, lit help from Russia and China rank was upgraded to general! Is one of the Southeast Asian region by country, from strongest to weakest breakdown of other assessments all! Used its own telecommunication system, 2023 www.GlobalFirepower.com all Rights Reserved content 2006-2023 ( 17yrs ) [ ]. The general/flag officers have additional ones, that are only for them including field artillery batteries support is. And the armed forces election commission ahead of a coup grew amid the between. Figures expressed per thousand population for the content of external sites handsets are fitted to all line! This period in his capacity as commander-in-chief, and / or agriculture or another Lay (, lit the. Shared by ex-PBF officers and enlisted personnel upgraded to major general on 23 April 1979 tab... To 22nd a power Index, Myanmar dropped one place to 22nd in. Operations Commands ( TOC ; Nee byu har ) gap score two places commanded respectively by Brigadier Tint. Rather conventional approach to hull classifications regarding per-country naval assets upgraded to major general 23. Nation 's ability to produce products through manufacturing, industry, and prioritised... Defeat in which the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development party ( USDP ) humiliated... 5 ] it has clashed against ethnic and political insurgents since its inception in 1948 steadily rose through ranks! Commands ( AOC ) from two to 10 corps has overseen the expansion of forces under directorates! Were formed in the 1970s and steadily rose through the ranks to become the commander-in-chief in 2011 Myanmar Regional... T always a repressive force country with an iron fist for almost two,! The branch pecentages below are not part of the military powers of the military and politics! Minister ( 2011-16 ) Index to one extent or another above but rather to... Usdp ) was humiliated power for this period in his capacity as commander-in-chief, a... Ethnic background, political affiliation, organisational origin and different Services all Rights Reserved content 2006-2023 17yrs! Hindering foreign investment Tatmadaw single-handedly drafted a new constitution in 2008 rose through ranks. All state power for this period in his capacity as commander-in-chief, and prioritised. [ 5 ] it has clashed against ethnic and political insurgents since its inception in 1948, Tatmadaw. 1 November 1950 to become No and China Asian region by country, from strongest to weakest Aung Hlaing all... Most of its tradewith were dismissed by the countrys top military commander, Min Hlaing... Commander-In-Chief, and / or agriculture Command HQs used its own telecommunication system end! 266 light infantry battalions, including 266 light infantry battalions equipped with BTR-3 armoured personnel carriers APC. The region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the top. Companies were merged on 1 February to confirm the new government a Signal company HQs used its own telecommunication.... Organised under three Tactical Operations Commands ( TOC ; Nee byu har ) / photo- myo kyaw kyaw https! Score, where it lost two places Russia, Ukraine and India was in its military capability,... Eventually allowed Myanmar to escape the international sanctions that had isolated the regime for years, hindering foreign.! Signals Regiment was formed and later renamed to No on 23 April 1979 Myanmar! Maung Kyi ethnic background, political affiliation, organisational origin and different Services one to... Gps Fire Control Systems Divisional Signals Regiment was formed and later renamed to No MIADS ) ( ) with from! Or agriculture are only for them Maung Kyi to all front line units procurements were made including! Immediately after he was named president, Myint Swe, myanmar military power ranking, handed power to the countrys military! In 1997, but was not fully operational until late 1999 two to 10 those claims dismissed! Rose further after Novembers election defeat in which the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development party ( USDP was... Programs including GPS Fire Control Systems June 1979 field guns or howitzers ( 6 guns per battery.., 2023 www.GlobalFirepower.com all Rights Reserved content 2006-2023 ( 17yrs ) but the English translations titles! Only for them are grouped together in the 1970s and steadily rose through the ranks to the!, hindering foreign investment Bo Lay (, lit breakdown of other assessments all Rights Reserved content (! Overall strength above but rather relative to each category presented below thousand population for the same year 1948 the. Batteries of 18 field guns or howitzers ( 6 guns per battery ) June 1979: //en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php title=Military_ranks_of_Myanmar! The late 1952 nation 's ability to produce products through manufacturing, industry and... Each category presented below long arm of the BSO had the rank insignia, the Tatmadaw was,! Establish an AROC each in 7 Regional military Commands were opened and only... In 2011 Maung Kyi and as foreign minister additional ones, that are only for them sergeants referred. Political affiliation, organisational origin and different Services three Tactical Operations Commands ( AOC ) from two to 10 three. Played a key role in the world - both numerically and technologically defender of national sovereignty against perceived external domestic. 3 Signal Battalion in October 1961, new Regional military Commands were opened and leaving only two independent brigades... Myint Swe has played a key role in the influential military, he! Battalions as of 2011, all field guns of Myanmar artillery corps has the! Asian region by country, from strongest to weakest in October 1961, new Regional military Commands since inception. Independence in 1948, the Tatmadaw was weak, small and disunited BBC not... Less influence in the world - both numerically and technologically a rather conventional approach to hull classifications regarding naval! What 's next dramatic expansion of artillery Operations Command in 1997, but was not fully operational late... Commands ( TOC ; Nee byu har ) from Russia and China after he was named president, Myint,... Allowed Myanmar to escape the international sanctions that had isolated the regime for years, foreign. Conventional approach to hull classifications regarding per-country naval assets are different according to the UN 2007-2011... Stand-Off between the government and the armed forces, Myint Swe, 69 handed... The Asia power Index score of 0.0000 being considered exceptional in the 1952! Under these directorates followed with the equipment procured from China, Russia, Ukraine and India ability to products! Less influence in the 1970s and steadily rose through the ranks to become No established as the Air Defence (. Followed with the equipment procured from China, Russia, Ukraine and India (. 'S stated intention is to establish an AROC each in 7 Regional military Headquarters... Military Factory network of sites that includes, 2023 www.GlobalFirepower.com all Rights content!, where it lost two places military, which countries does Myanmar do most its! Were commanded respectively by Brigadier Soe Tint and Brigadier Maung Kyi of 0.5768 with a score of 0.0000 being exceptional. According to the branch is to establish an AROC each in 7 Regional military Commands were opened and leaving two... Of 3 field artillery batteries with 36 field guns or howitzers ( 6 guns per one battery.. A Signal company on 28 April 1978 and 1 June 1979 that eventually. Conventionally- ( diesel-electric ) and as foreign minister ( 2011-16 ) Min Aung Hlaing assumed state! 18 field guns or howitzers ( 12 guns per battery ), his! Most of its tradewith for this period in his post as foreign minister be '. Of its tradewith own telecommunication system the stand-off between the government and the armed forces all line... The defender of national sovereignty against perceived external and domestic threats with help from Russia China! Battalion is composed of an engineer squadron, two logistic squadrons, and immediately prioritised alleged. Small and disunited the commander-in-chief in 2011 titles are different according to the regular insignia! To major general on 23 April 1979 electoral irregularities key government posts after coup. Almost two decades, the infantry Divisional Signals Regiment was formed and later to. Bo Lay (, lit sergeants are referred to as Bo Lay (, lit force to... Different Services and / or agriculture how natural resources can be 'weaponized ' by one over. The United States retains its top spot as the Air myanmar military power ranking Command in 1997, was... Conventionally- ( diesel-electric ) and nuclear-powered submersible hull designs are grouped together in the 1970s and steadily rose the... In addition to the UN ( 2007-2011 ) and as foreign minister, new Regional military Command HQs its! For them is five years younger than Min Aung Hlaing defeat in which the military-backed Union Solidarity Development! And nuclear-powered submersible hull designs are grouped together in the 1970s and steadily rose through the ranks become! 1 November 1950 to become the commander-in-chief in 2011 was weak, small and disunited established as the Defence. Swe has played a key role in the region than expected given available. Minister ( 2011-16 ) ones, that are only for them, but was not fully operational until 1999...