Myanmar Army

The Myanmar Army (Burmese:Tatmadaw Kyee) is the land component of the Military of
Myanmar. 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 Vietnam's Vietnam People's
Army.

The Myanmar Army has a troop strength around 492,000. The army has rich 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 (Army), currently Vice Senior General Maung
Aye. The highest rank in the Myanmar Army is Senior General, equivalent to Field Marshal
position in Western Armies and is currently held by Senior General Than Shwe. The defence
budget of the Myanmar Military is 7.07 billion US dollars.

Structure of Myanmar Army

Armour Division

The Army has always been by far the largest service in Myanmar and has always received the
lion's share of the defence budget.[1][2] 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'.[3] 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".[4] 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'.[5] Other commentators throughout that time
characterised the Myanmar Army as 'the toughest, most effective light infantry jungle force now
operating in Southeast Asia'.[6] Even the Thais, not known to praise the Burmese lightly, have
described the Myanmar Army as 'skilled in the art of jungle warfare'.[7] However, due to
dwindling recruitment, the military junta has been forcing enlistment of child soldiers into the
army's ranks.[8] According to human rights groups, the Myanmar Army has the world's largest
number of child soldiers.[9]

Expansion

101st LID

The first army division to be formed after the 1988 military coup was the 11th Light Infantry
Division (LID) in December 1988 with Col. 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 RMC. A year later 101st LID was formed in Pakokku
with Col. Saw Tun as commander. Two Regional Operations Commands (ROC) 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 (MOC)s in that month. MOC are
similar to Mechanized Infantry Divisions in western armies, each with 10 regular infantry
battalions (Chay Hlyin Tatyin), 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. Their new ROCs were opened in Kalay, Bhamo and Mongsat. In late
1998, two new MOCs were opened in Bokepyin and Mongsat.[10]

Armour Division

The most significant expansion after the infantry in the army was in armour and artillery.
Beginning in 1990, the Tatmadaw procured 18 T-69II 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 (APC). By the beginning of 1998, Tatmadaw had about 100+ T-68II
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.

Strength and organization

By 2000, the Myanmar Army had reached some 370,000 all ranks. 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 Yin in Burmese, which comprised a headquarters unit; four 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 a Lieutenant Colonel (du
bo hmu gyi) with a Major (bo hmu) as 2IC (Second in Command), with a total establishment
strength of 27 officers and 723 other ranks. Light infantry battalions in Myanmar Army have
much lower establishment strength of around 500; as a result this often leads to these units being
mistakenly identified by the observers and reporters as under strength infantry battalions.

Myanmar Army flag

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 (KNU) strongholds in Manerplaw and
Kawmura. Most of the casualties at these battles were the result of intense and heavy
bombardment by the Tatmadaw Kyee. Not only that Tatmadaw Kyee is now much larger than it
was in pre-1988, it is more mobile and has greatly improved armour, artillery and air defence
inventories. Its C3I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence) systems
have been expanded and refined. It is developing larger and more integrated, self-sustained
formations which should lend themselves 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.[2]

Commander in Chief (Army)

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adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
(November 2008)

Until 1990, Myanmar Armed Forces has Chief of Staff system and Myanmar Army was led by
Vice Chief of Staff (Army). In 1990, Myanmar Armed Forces was reorganized and all three
branches of Armed Forces are now led by Commander-in-Chief.

•
o 1. Brig-Gen. Saw Kyar Doe (1948)
o 2. Brig-Gen. Ne Win (1948-1949)
o 3. Brig-Gen. Aung Gyi (1956-1963)
o 4. Brig-Gen. San Yu (1963-1972)
o 5. Brig-Gen. Thuya Tin Oo (1972-1974)
o 6. Brig-Gen. Thuya Kyaw Htin (1974-1976)
o 7. Brig-Gen. Aye Ko (1976-1981) (later promoted to Lt-Gen.)
o 8. Lt-Gen. Tun Ye (1981-1983)
o 9. Lt-Gen. Saw Maung (1983-1985)
o 10. Lt-Gen. Than Shwe (1985-1992) (Later promoted to Full General and Senior
General)
o 11.Lt-Gen. Maung Aye (1993-) (Later promoted to Vice Senior General)

Bureau of Special Operations (BSO)

Bureau of Special Operations

Bureau of Special Operations in Myanmar Army are high-level field units equivalent to Field
Army Group in Western terms and consist of 2 or more Regional Military Commands (RMC)
and commanded by a Lieutenant-General and 6 staff officers. Currently there are five Bureaus of
Special Operations in Myanmar order of Battle.

BSO Regional Military Commands

Central Command
Bureau of Special Operations 1 North Western Command
Northern Command
Bureau of Special Operations 2 North Eastern Command
Eastern Command

Bureau of Special Operations 3
Bureau of Special Operations 4
Bureau of Special Operations 5
Bureau of Special Operations 6
Regional Military Commands (RMC)
Northern Command
North Eastern Region Command
Eastern Command
Triangle Region Command
South Western Command
Southern Command
Western Command
Coastal Command
South Eastern Command
Yangon Command
Naypyidaw Command
North Western Region Command

Yangon Regional Command

For better command and communication, the Tatmadaw formed Regional Military Commands
(Tine Sit Htar Na Choke) 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 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 (BSOs), which are equivalent to Field Army Group in Western terms.
Currently there are five Bureaus of Special Operations in the Tatmadaw's order of battle.

RMC State/Division headquarters Battalions

Northern
Command
Kachin State Myitkyina 33 Infantry Battalions

North Eastern
Command
Northern Shan State Lashio 30 Infantry Battalions

42 Infantry Battalions
Eastern including 16× Light Infantry
Command Battalions under
Southern Shan State Taunggyi
Regional Operation Command
(ROC) Headquarters at
Loikaw
South Eastern
Command Mon and Kayin (Karen) Mawlamyaing
36 Infantry Battalions
States (Moulmein)
Southern
Command Bago and Magwe
Toungoo 27 × Infantry Battalions
Divisions

South Western
Command Ayeyarwady Division
Pathein (Bassein) 11 × Infantry Battalions
(Irrawaddy Division)

Western
Command Rakhine (Arakan) and
Ann 33 × Infantry Battalions
Chin States

North Western
Command
Sagaing Division Monywa 25 × Infantry Battalions

Yangon
Command Mayangone Township-
Yangon Division 12 × Infantry Battalions
Kone-Myint-Thar

Coastal Region
43 Infantry Battalions
Command Tanintharyi Division
Myeik (Mergui) including battalions under 2
(Tenassarim Division)
MOC based at Tavoy
Triangle Region
Command Kyaingtong
Eastern Shan State 28 Infantry Battalions
(Kengtung)

Central
Command
Mandalay Division Mandalay 17 Infantry Battalions

Naypyidaw
Command Formed in 2006 - ? × Infantry
Naypyidaw Pyinmana
Battalions

Commanders of Regional Military Commands

•
o 1. Natpyidaw: Maj-Gen. Wai Lwin
o 2. Eastern: Maj-Gen. Yar Pyae
o 3. North-Eastern: Maj-Gen. Aung Than Htut
o 4. South-Eastern: Maj-Gen. Thet Naing Win
o 5. Central: Maj-Gen. Tin Ngwe
 o 6. Western: Maj-Gen. Thaung Aye
o 7. North-Western: Maj-Gen. Myint Soe
o 8. South-Western: Maj-Gen. Kyaw Swe
o 9. Northern: Maj-Gen. Soe Win
o 10.Southern: Maj-Gen. Hla Min
o 11.Triangle: Maj-Gen. Kyaw Phyo
o 12.Coastal Region: Maj-Gen. Khin Zaw Win
o 13.Yangon: Maj-Gen. Win Myint

Regional Operations Commands (ROC - Da Ka Sa)

Coastal Region Command

•
o Regional Operations Command - Loikaw (headquarters at Loikaw)
o Regional Operations Command - Laukai (headquarters at Laukai)
o Regional Operations Command - Kalay (headquarters at Kalay)
o Regional Operations Command - Sittwe (headquarters at Sittwe)
o Regional Operations Command - Pyay (headquarters at Pyay)
o Regional Operations Command - Tanaing (headquarter at Tanaing)

Military Operations Commands (MOC)

Triangle Region Command

Central Command

Military Operations Commands (MOC, or Sa Ka Kha), commanded by a Brigadier-General, are

similar to infantry divisions in Western Armies. Each consists of 10 Infantry battalions (Chay
Hlyin Tatyin), HQ and organic support units including field artillery batteries.

While the MOC is equivalent to the LID, as both command ten battalions, the ROC is much
smaller in size, with only four battalions, thus ROC is the regimental level with a brigadier
general as commander. ROC is a position between LID/MOC commander and tactical Operation
Command (TOC) commander, who commands only three infantry battalions.

But, the ROC commander enjoys financial, administrative and judicial authority while the MOC
commander does not have judicial authority.

•
o Military Operations Command 1 (headquarters at Kyaukme, Shan State)
o Military Operations Command 2 (headquarters at Loilem, Shan State)
o Military Operations Command 3 (headquarters at Mogaung, Kachin State)
o Military Operations Command 4 (headquarters at Phugyi, Yangon Division)
o Military Operations Command 5 (headquarters at Ann, Rakhine State)
o Military Operations Command 6 (headquarters at Pyinmana, Mandalay Division)
o Military Operations Command 7 (headquarters at Phekon, Shan State)
o Military Operations Command 8 (headquarters at Dawei, Tanintharyi Division)
o Military Operations Command 9 (headquarters at Kyauktaw, Rakhine State)
o Military Operations Command 10 (headquarters at Kyeekone, Mandalay
Division)
o Military Operations Command 12 (headquarters at Kawkareik, Kayin State)
o Military Operations Command 13 (headquarters at Bokpyin, Tanintharyi
Division)
o Military Operations Command 14 (headquarters at Mongsat, Shan State)
o Military Operations Command 15 (headquarters at Buthidaung, Rakhine State)
o Military Operations Command 16 (headquarters at Theinni, Shan State)
o Military Operations Command 17 (headquarters at Mongpan, Shan State)
o Military Operations Command 18 (headquarters at Hehalsai, Shan State)
o Military Operations Command 19 (headquarters at Ye, Mon State)
o Military Operations Command 20 (headquarters at Kawthaung, Tanintharyi
Division)
o Military Operations Command 21 (headquarters at Bhamo, Kachin State)
Light Infantry Divisions (LID)

99th LID

44th LID

55th LID

22nd LID

11th LID

Light Infantry Division (Chay Myan Tat Ma), 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.

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 (Communist
Party of Burma) based in the forested hills of the central Bago Yoma in the mid 1970s. Three
more LIDs were raised in the latter half of 1970s (the 66th, 55th and 44th) with their
headquarters at Pyay, Aungban and Thaton. 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). 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 (Bo hmu gyoke) level officers, consists of 10 light
infantry battalions specially trained in counter-insurgency and jungle warfare, for "search and
destroy" operations against ethnic insurgents and narcotics-based armies. These battalions are
organised under three Tactical Operations Commands (TOC; Sit byu har) and Each TOC,
commanded by Colonel (Bo hmu gyi), is made up of three or more combat battalions, with
command and support elements similar to that of brigades in Western armies. One battalion was
held in reserve. As of 2000, all LID have their 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[11]

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 (Army).

LID Year formed Place formed Current Commander

11th LID 1988 Inndine, Bago Division
22nd LID 1987 Hpa-An
33rd LID 1984 Sagaing
44th LID 1979 Thaton
55th LID 1980 Sagaing/Kalaw
66th LID 1976 Pyay
77th LID 1966 Hmawbi/Bago
88th LID 1967 Magway
99th LID 1968 Meiktila
101st LID 1991 Pakokku

Air Defence Command

The Air Defence Command was formed during the late 1990s but was not fully operational until
1999. In early 2000, Tatmadaw established Myanmar Integrated Air Defence System (MIADS)
with help from Russia, Ukraine and China. All AD assets except Anti-Aircraft Artillery within
Tatmadaw arsenal are integrated into MIADS.

Under MIADS, the country was divided into six Air Defense sectors, each controlled by a Sector
Operations Center (SOC) and reporting to the National Air Defense Operations Center (ADOC)
in Yangon.Each SOC transmitted data back to Intercept Operations Centers (IOC), which in turn
controlled SAM batteries and fighter/interceptor squadrons at Air Bases. Each IOC was
optimized 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 (RP) via
fibre optic cable network. There were about 100 radars located at approximately 40 sites
throughout the country. New AD radars such as 1L117 radars, Galaxy Early Warning Radar and
P series radars are installed in all radar stations.

Sector Operations Centers

The six Sector Operations Centers (SOCs) of MIADS are as follow:-

• Northern SOC (HQ at Myitkyina)

• Southern SOC (HQ at Myeik)
• Western SOC (HQ at Sittwe)
• Eastern SOC (HQ at Tachilek)
• South Eastern SOC (HQ at Yay)
• Central SOC (HQ at Meiktila)

Artillery and Armoured Units

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, and the Office of Chief of Air Defense was
created. A dramatic expansion of forces under these directorates followed with the equipment
procured from China, Russia, Ukraine and India.

Artillery

As of 2000, the Armour and Artillery wing of the Tatmadaw has about 60 battalions and 37
independent artillery companies/batteries attached to various regional commands, LIDs, MOCs
and ROCs. For example, 314th Field Artillery Battery is under 44th LID, 326 Field Artillery
Battery is attached to 5th MOC, 074 Field Artillery Battery is under ROC (Bhamo) and 076 Field
Artillery Battery is under North-Eastern RMC. Twenty of these Artillery battalions are grouped
under 707th Artillery Operation Command (AOC) headquarters in Kyaukpadaung and 808th
Artillery Operation Command (AOC) headquarters in Oaktwin, near Taungoo. The remaining 30
battalions, including 7 Anti-Aircraft artillery battalions are under the Directorate of Armour and
Artillery (DAA).

Since 2000, the Directorate of Artillery Corps has overseen the expansion of Artillery
Operational Commands(AOC) from two to 10 or more. Tatmadaw's stated intention is to
establish an AOC in each of the 12 Regional Military Commands. Each AOC is composed of an
HQ battalion and 13 Artillery batteries; 9 Field Artillery Batteries,1 Medium Artillery Battery, 1
Rocket Artillery Battery, 1 TAB and supporting units.

Armour
Armoured divisions were expanded in number from one to two, each with ten armoured
battalions (five equipped with tanks and five with IFVs and APCs). 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 armored personnel carriers (APCs) in
2004. In 2006, the Indian Government 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 Attack Helicopters in return
for Tatmadaw’s full cooperation in flushing out Indian insurgent groups operating from its soil.

Artillery Operations Command (AOC)

707th Artillery Operation Command

Artillery Operation Command

Since 2000, the Directorate of Artillery Corps has overseen the massive expansion of Artillery
Operational Commands(AOC). Artillery Operations Commands are equivalent to Artillery
Divisions in western term. Currently there are 10 AOCs in Tatmadaw order of battle. Tatmadaw's
stated intention is to establish an AOC in each of the 12 Regional Military Commands.

Each AOC is composed of the following:

• HQ battalion,
• 12 Artillery Battalions:
o six light field artillery battalion equipped with 105 mm, 76 mm, 75 mm howitzers,
field guns and mountain guns,
o three medium artillery battalions equipped with 155 mm, 130 mm, 122 mm
howitzers and field guns ,
o one Multiple Rocket Launcher battalion equipped with 122 mm self propelled and
towed launchers,
 o one Air Defence Artillery battalion with 37 mm, 57 mm Anti-Aircraft guns or SA
18 IGLAs) man portable surface-to-air missiles and
o one target acquisition battalion.
• support units

Light field artillery battalions consists of 3 field artillery batteries with 36 field guns or howitzers
(12 guns per battery). Medium artillery battalions consists of 3 medium artillery batteries of 18
field guns or howitzers (6 guns per one battery).

•
o Artillery Operations Command 505 (headquarters at Thaton)
o Artillery Operations Command 606 (headquarter unknown)
o Artillery Operations Command 707 (headquarters at Kyaukpadaung)
o Artillery Operations Command 808 (headquarters at Oat-Twin--Taung Ngoo
o Artillery Operations Command 909 (headquarters at [ Mai Khon])
o Artillery Operations Command 901 (headquarters unknown)
o Artillery Operations Command 902 (headquarters unknown)
o Artillery Operations Command 903 (headquarters at Loilem)
o Artillery Operations Command 904 (headquarters unknown)
o Artillery Operations Command 905 (headquarters unknown)

Armour Operations Command (AOC)

Armour Operations Commands are equivalent to Independent Armour Divisions in western term.
Currently there are 5 ArOCs in Tatmadaw order of battle. Tatmadaw is to establish an ArOC in 7
of the 12 Regional Military Commands.

Each ArOC is composed of ArOC HQs, three tank regiments, three AFV regiments, one artillery
regiment and one support regiment. Support regiment also composed of an engineer squadron,
two logistic squadrons and a signal company. However some ArOC have only two tank
regiments.

Myanmar Army has taken delivery of 150 EE-9 Cascavels from Israeli army(?) surplus in 2005.
Although EE 9 are armoured reconnaissance vehicle, Myanmar Army categorized them as light
tank and deploys them in eastern Shan State and triangle regions near Thai-Myanmar border.

Myanmar Army Staff

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adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
(November 2008)

Strength

Myanmar Army statistics

Active Troops 492,250
Regional Military Commands 13
Infantry Divisions 30 (10 LID and 20 MOC)
Armour Divisions 10
Artillery Divisions 10
Tanks 5200
Artillery 13800

Rank Structure

See: Army ranks and insignia of Myanmar

The various rank of the Myanmar Army are listed below in descending order:

Commissioned Officers

• Bo Gyoke Hmu Gyi (Senior General)

• Du Bo Gyoke Hmu Gyi (Vice Senior General)
• Bo Gyoke Kyee (General)
• Du Bo Gyoke Kyee (Lieutenant General)
• Bo Gyoke (Major General)
• Bo Hmu Gyoke (Brigadier General)
• Bo Hmu Gyi (Colonel)
• Du Bo Hmu Gyi Lieutenant-Colonel
• Bo Hmu Major
• Bo Gyi Captain
• Bo (Lieutenant)
• Du Bo (Second Lieutenant)

Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs)

• A Yar Khan Bo (Warrant Officer)

• Du A Yar Khan Bo (Regimental Sergeant Major)
• Oak Khwè Tat Kyat Kyee (Master Sergeant)
• Tat Kyat Kyee (Sergeant)
• Tat Kyat (Corporal)
• Du Tat Kyat (Lance Corporal)

Lowest Rank

• Tat Thar (Private)

Order of Battle
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(November 2008)

• 13 x Regional Military Commands (RMC)

• 6 x Regional Operations Commands (ROC)
• 21 × Military Operations Commands (MOC)
• 10 x Light Infantry Divisions (LID)
• 1 x Airborne Infantry Division
• 10 x Armoured Operation Commands (AOC) (Each with 5 Tank Battalions and 5
Armoured Infantry Battalions (IFVs/APCs).)
• 10 x Artillery Operation Commands (AOC) (with of 113 Field Artillery Battalions)
• 10 x Anti-Aircraft Artillery/Air Defence Division (Each with 3 × Medium Range SAM
Battalions, 3 × Short Range SAM Battalions, 3 × AAA/AD Battalion)
• 40+ Military Affair Security Companies (MAS Units replaces former Military
Intelligence Units after the disbandment of the Directorate of Defense Service
Intelligence (DDSI))
• 45 Advanced Signal Battalions
• 54 Field Engineer Battalions
• 4 Armoured Engineer Battalions
• 55 Medical Battalions

Equipment
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challenged and removed. (February 2009)

Armour

Type Origin QuantityNotes

Main Battle Tanks

T-55[12] Soviet Union ( India)N/A Delivered by India

Soviet Union (
T-72S[13] 139 Delivered by Ukraine
Ukraine)

Type 59D China 280+

Type 69-II[14] China 190+

Light Tanks
Comet[15][16] United Kingdom 22 World War II vintage

Type 63[14] China 150

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

BMP-1 Soviet Union 50+

BTR-
Ukraine 1,000 To be assembled locally until 2013
3U[17][18]

Dingo Scout
United Kingdom 50 World War II vintage
Car

EE-9 Cascavel Brazil ( Israel) 200 Delivered by Israel

Ferret Scout Car United Kingdom 6

Humber Pig United Kingdom 40

Locally manufactured Infantry fighting

MAV-1 Burma 72
vehicle

Panhard AML
France ( Israel) 50+ Delivered by Israel
90

Type 85[14] China 250

Universal
United Kingdom 80 World War II vintage
Carrier

Artillery

Type Origin QuantityNotes

Self-propelled artillery

Nora B-52[19] Serbia 30 152 mm self-propelled howitzer

Towed artillery

United
75mm field guns 80 World War II vintage 122 mm howitzer
Kingdom

BL 5.5 inch Medium United

230 World War II vintage 140 mm howitzer
Gun Kingdom
D-30M Soviet Union 72 122 mm howitzer

KH-179 South Korea 100+ 155 mm howitzer

M48 mountain gun Yugoslavia 100 76 mm mountain gun

M-845P Israel 16 155 mm howitzer

Ordnance QF 25 United
50 World War II vintage 87.6 mm howitzer
pounder Kingdom

Type 59-1 China 16 130 mm field gun

Various 105 mm
Various 340+ Types: L118, M101, M56 and others
howitzers

Multiple rocket launchers

240 mm multiple rocket launcher (self-

/ Unknown 90
propelled)

122 mm multiple rocket launcher (self-

Type 90 China 90
propelled)

122 mm multiple rocket launcher (self-

Type 90 China 90
propelled)

122 mm multiple rocket launcher (self-

BM-21 Soviet Union 70
propelled)

Type 63 China 48 107 mm multiple rocket launcher (towed)

BA-84 Burma N/A 122 mm multiple rocket launcher (towed)

Heavy Mortars

• 400+ 120 mm Mortars

o Ka Pa Sa BA-97 (locally made)
o Hotchkiss-Brandt MO-120-60
o MA-6
o Soltam K-6
o Tampella Mk.2
o Type 53
o UBM-52
• 8 × 120 mm Soltam M-65/Tampella M-65

Surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery

[20][21]

• 20 TOR M1[22]
• 48 BUK-M1-2[23]
• 24 Tunguska M1 SA-19[24]
• 40 SA-6 Gainful
• 48 SA-2 Guideline
• 2 Bloodhound Mk II[16][20]
• 400 SA-18 Grouse
• 200 CPMIEC HN5
• 580 14.5 mm KPV heavy machine guns in quadruple AAA mounts
• 340 37 mm/40 mm/57 mm Anti-Aircraft Guns (various models)

Light and Medium Mortars

• N/A 2-inch Ordnance ML

• N/A 3-inch Ordnance ML
• N/A 60 mm Ka Pa Sa BA-100
• N/A 60 mm Type 63
• N/A 81 mm M29
• N/A 81 mm Ka Pa Sa BA-90
• N/A 82 mm M-43
• N/A 82 mm Type 53
• N/A 82 mm Type 67
• N/A 82 mm Type 76

Rocket Launchers and Recoilless Guns

• N/A 57 mm M-18
• N/A 57 mm Type 36
• 200 75 mm M-20 Rocket Launchers
• N/A 75 mm Type 52 Rocket Launchers
• N/A 75 mm Type 56 Rocket Launchers
• N/A 82 mm Type 65
• N/A 82 mm Type 78
• 1800 84mm FFC Carl Gustaf M-2
• N/A 3.5in M20 Super Bazooka
• N/A 106 mm M40 recoilless rifle

Support Weapons

Heavy Machine Guns

• NSVT
• 12.7mm Type 85 HMG
 • 20mm Hispano Suiza Mk 5 Automatic Cannon

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) The typical section support weapon before 1988
Tatmadaw modernisation programme was the locally-manufactured 7.62 mm BA64 Light
Machine Gun (LMG). This was essentially the G3 assault rifle fitted with heavy barrel and
bipod. The G4 replaced the British 0.30in Bren LMG. Company fire support generally consisted
of German-designed 7.62 mm MG3 general purpose machine guns (made in Myanmar's own Ka
Pa Sa factories) and the Belgian 7.62 mm FN MAG GPMG.

• 0.30in Browning M1919A4

• 0.303in Bren
• 7.62mm Bren L4A4
• 7.62 mm Ka Pa Sa BA-64
• 5.56 mm Ka Pa Sa MA-2
• 7.62mm Ka Pa Sa MA15
• 7.62mm FN MAG

Individual Weapons

Assault Rifles Before 1988, the standard Myanmar infantry weapon was the 7.62 mm BA-63
assault rifle, a locally-produced version of the Heckler & Koch G3. Myanmar also produced a
shorter, lighter carbine version of the same rifle under the designation BA-72, simply known as
the G2. A third version of the G3, known as the BA-100, was more accurate and reliable, but was
primarily used as a sniper's weapon. Many soldiers, mainly officers and NCO, still carried 0.30
calibre M1 and M2 carbines provided by the US in the 1950s under the Military Assistance
Programme (MAP). These world war two vintage carbines are ideal for jungle warfare.

From the beginning of 2002, 7.62 mm BA series rifles have been gradually replaced by 5.56 mm
MA-series assault rifles in Myanmar Army's frontline units, tested earlier as the EMERK-3.[25]
MA-series assault rifles are similar to Israeli GALIL rifle and fire 5.56 mm NATO rounds. As
side-arm, officers used 9 mm Browning High Power/FN-35 semi-automatic pistol locally
manufactured under license by Ka Pa Sa.

• Type 81
• Type 56
• 5.56 mm MA-1 assault rifle - (licence produced Galil)
• 5.56 mm MA-3 carbine
• 5.56 mm MA-4 (MA-1 assault rifle with 40 mm M203 Grenade Launcher)
• 5.56 mm MA-11 (licence produced HK33)
• 5.56 mm MA-12 light machine gun
• 7.62 mm Ka Pa Sa BA-63 assault rifle (licence produced G3A2)
• 7.62 mm Ka Pa Sa BA-72 assault rifle (licence produced G3K)
• 7.62 mm Ka Pa Sa BA-100 assault rifle (licence produced G3A3ZF)
• Kalashnikov AK-74
• Kalashnikov AKM
• 5.45 mm AKS-74U
Submachine Guns

• 9 mm Ka Pa Sa BA-52 "Ne Win Sten" (licence produced TZ-45)

• 9 mm Ka Pa Sa BA-94 (licence produced Uzi)
• 9 mm Sterling L2A3

Grenade Launchers

• Type 56 RPG
• Type 69 RPG
• 40 mm GP-25

Defence Academies and Colleges

• National Defence College - NDC (Yangon)

• Defence Services Command and General Staff College - DSCGSC (Kalaw)
• Defence Services Academy - DSA (Pyin Oo Lwin)
• Defence Services Technological Academy - DSTA (Pyin Oo Lwin)
• Defence Services Medical Academy - DSMA (Yangon)
• Defence Services Nursing College - DSNC (Yangon)
• Defence Services Technological College -DSTC (Hopone)

Training Schools

• Officer Training School - OTS (Fort Ba Htoo)

• Myanmar Army Combat Forces School-I (Fort Ba Htoo)
• Myanmar Army Combat Forces School-II (Fort Bayintnaung)
• Artillery Training School (Mone Tai)
• Armour Training School (Mine Maw)
• Electronic School (Pyin Oo Lwin)
• Engineer School (Pyin Oo Lwin)
• Information Warfare School (Yangon)
• Air, Land and Paratroops Training School (Hmawbi)
• Special Forces School (Ye Mon)
Transport
Before 1988, Myanmar Army had less than 2000 military trucks in their inventory, bulk of them
are locally assembled 6 ton 4x2 Hino TE 11/21 trucks, and they had to rely on civil transport
systems. After the 1988 military coup, with the starting of the defence modernization
programme, Myanmar started to acquire hundreds of logistic vehicle mainly from China. In
1992, Myanmar Army bought 4000 6 ton 4x2 FAW and Dongfeng EQ1093 trucks form China
and delivery completed in 1995. However due to maintenance problems with the earlier TE 11
and 21, Myanmar Army again signed contract with China to buy 4000 Jiefang CA1091 4x2 5 ton
trucks.

Again in 1997, Myanmar Army acquired 1000 Dongfeng EQ2102 3.5 tonne 6X6 military utility
trucks and 200 Shaanqi SX 2190 6X6 military utility trucks for newly formed artillery units for
towing guns. However during border clashes with neighbouring Thailand in 2002, Myanmar
Army found difficulties with the existing 4x2 military trucks and then they acquired 3000
Dongfeng EQ2102 3.5 tonne 6X6 military utility trucks. These trucks were delivered at China-
Myanmar border town of Shwe Li between 2003 and 2006. In 2007 November, China has agreed
to supply another 1500 EQ2102 3.5 tonne 6x6 military utility trucks to Myanmar Military. As
part of that agreement Myanmar has taken delivery of first batch of 350 EQ 2102 trucks in 2008
April and 650 trucks are to deliver in June. [3]

Myanmar ordinance factories started assembling Chinese Aeolus 4x2 6 tonne light utility
military trucks in 1997.

Trucks

• Hino Motors TE 11/21

• Jiefang Motors EQ1093 truck People's Republic of China
• Jiefang Motors CA1091 (formerly CA141) 5 tonne truck People's Republic of China
• Jiefang Motors EQ2102 3.5 tonne (6x6) truck People's Republic of China
• Shaanqi Motors SX 2190 (6x6) utility truck People's Republic of China
• Dongfeng Motor Corporation/FAW EQ2102 3.5 tonne cargo carrier People's
Republic of China

• FCS Star 266 (6x6) medium truck (Poland) Poland

• FAW CA6110/125Z1A2 6x6 6 ton People's Republic of China

Utility

• Toyota Land Cruiser

• Toyota Tiger DubleCub
• Nissan Patrol
• Isuzu Trooper
 • Jiefang Langian People's Republic of China
• Ford DubleCub United States)
• Humvee (locally reverse engineered AMC Hummer United States
• Myanmar Jeeps (copy of US made Jeep)
• Chin Dwin Star Jeeps (copy of US made Jeep)

Communication
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adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
(November 2008)

Command and control system of Myanmar Army has been substantially upgraded by setting up
the military fibre optic communication network through out the country. Since 2002 all Myanmar
Army regional and divisional command HQs used its own telecommunication system. Satellite
communications is 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 1980s. Myanmar Army also uses Thura (locally built TRA 906)
and XD-D6M (Chinese) radio sets. Frequency hopping handsets are fitted to all front line units.

Miwa Asuya kaw na Myen Hpyen Dap de dut jaw ai

QBZ-95 Rifile re.

Source: Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar_Army