Myanmar Air Defense Forces

Air Defense Forces
လေကြောင်းရန်ကာကွယ်ရေးတပ်ဖွဲ့
Founded1997; 27 years ago (1997)
Country Myanmar
Size25000 personnel (2019)
Part of Tatmadaw
HeadquartersNaypyidaw
Motto(s)
  • ကျွမ်းကျင်၊လျင်မြန်၊သေချာ၊အောင်မြင်
  • Skill Speed Sure Success
Commanders
Chief of Air DefenceLieutenant general Tin Maung Win
Vice-chief of Air DefenceMajor General Nay Myo Oo (DSA-34)
This article contains Burmese script. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Burmese script.

The Air Defense Forces (လေကြောင်းရန်ကာကွယ်ရေးတပ်ဖွဲ့) is one of the major branches of Tatmadaw. It was established as the Air Defence Command in 1997, but was not fully operational until late 1999. It was renamed the Bureau of Air Defence in the early 2000s. In early 2000, Tatmadaw established the Myanmar Integrated Air Defence System (MIADS) with help from Russia, Ukraine and China. It is a tri-service bureau with units from all three branches of the armed forces. All air defence assets except anti-aircraft artillery are integrated into MIADS.[1]

In 2010, Myanmar Air Defence Command completed installation of an optical fibre communication network throughout the country. The network is to be used for air defence operations between Central Command HQ from the capital (Naypyidaw) and several air bases, early warning radar stations and mobile anti-aircraft missile and artillery units. After completion of the fibre optic project and radar stations, MIADS (Myanmar Integrated Air Defence System) is the most advance AD system in the region.[1]

Command and control structure

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The Office of the Chief of Air Defence is based in Naypyidaw, and the position of the Chief of Air Defence is Lieutenant General. The position of Vice-Chief of Air Defence is held by a person with the rank of Major General. Three Brigadier generals from Myanmar Army, Myanmar Navy and Myanmar Air Force serve as Deputy-Chief of Air Defence. There are nine Air Defence Operation Commands and one Air Defense Training School. Each Air Defence Operation Command is also directed by a brigadier general. Under each Air Defence Operation Command, there is an Air Defence Early Warning Battalion, an Air Defence Signal Battalion, an Air Defence ECM Battalion, an Air Defence Mechanism Battalion, an Air Defence Workshop Battalion, and Air Defence Battalions which are also known as La Ka Ta (လကတ).

Equipments

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Each early warning battalion is equipped with a 3D air surveillance radar, such as JY-27A radar, YLC-2V radar,[2] 80K6 radar and 1L-117[1] radar, or a 2D VHF radar, such as Vostok-E radar and P-18M radar.[3] Each electronic countermeasure battalion is equipped with chinese and ukrainian mobile ECM and ELINT systems. Each air defence (mechanism) battalion is equipped with two batteries of medium-range air defence systems. The air defence battalions (La Ka Ta) are divided into three; Anti-aircraft artillery battalions, short-range SAM battalions (for point defence role) and medium-range SAM battalions (for area defence role).[4] Battalion numbers from 1,005 to 1019 are anti-aircraft artillery battalions and they are equipped with a large number of ground-based anti-aircraft guns. Battalion numbers from 2010 to 2032 are short-range SAM battalions and each battalion is equipped with a lot of MANPADs, 3-5 TH-5711 smart hunter radars[3] or TWS-312 radars (licence built TH-5711 radar), 5 Tunguska-M1 self-propelled anti-aircraft systems[3] or Tor-M1[1][5] and 10-15 Type-87 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. Battalion numbers from 3,009 to 3036 are medium-range SAM battalions and they are equipped with one battery of medium-range air defence systems or one battery of S-200[6][7] air defence system (only two battalions located at Nay Pyi Taw Region and Yangon Region) with additional target detection and tracking radars, height-finding radars, fire control radars, etc.

Chiefs

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Chiefs of Air Defence Years Notes
Lt. General Soe Win 1997–2004 Later became Prime Minister
Lt. General Myint Hlaing 2004–2010 Later became Union Minister for Agricultural and Irrigation
Lt. General Sein Win 2010–2015 Later became Union Minister for Defense
Lt. General Tin Maung Win 2016–2021
Lt. General Myo Moe Aung 2021–

Lists of commands and battalions

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Training school

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Training School Nickname Location Note
Air Defence Training School La Ta Ka near Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri Township Located at the "19°53'51"N 96°03'06"E".

Air Defence Operation Commands

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Air Defence Operation Commands (ADOC) Nickname Headquarters Note
1st Air Defence Operation Command La Sa Kha-1 Phaung Gyi, Hlegu Township, Yangon Command the air defence battalions located in Bago Region.
2nd Air Defence Operation Command La Sa Kha-2 near Myeik Airport, Myeik Command the air defence battalions located in Tanintharyi Region.
3rd Air Defence Operation Command La Sa Kha-3 Loilem Township Command the air defence battalions located in Shan State.
4th Air Defence Operation Command La Sa Kha-4 Thaton Command the air defence battalions located in Mon State.
5th Air Defence Operation Command La Sa Kha-5 Hmawbi Township, Yangon Command the air defence battalions located in Yangon Region.
6th Air Defence Operation Command La Sa Kha-6 Unknown
7th Air Defence Operation Command La Sa Kha-7 near Sawye (also called Sun Ye) village, Kyaukse Command the air defence battalions located in Mandalay Region.
8th Air Defence Operation Command La Sa Kha-8 near Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri Township Located 4.5 km south of the air defence training school. Command the air defence battalions located in Naypyidaw Union Territory.
9th Air Defence Operation Command La Sa Kha-9 Seikphyu Township, Pakokku District Command the air defence battalions located in Magway Region and Rakhine State.

Air defence battalions

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Air defence battalions Nick name Location Regional Military Command (RMC) Note
No.(1) Air Defence (Early Warning) Battalion La Ta Ya-1 Phaung Gyi, Hlegu Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command Equipped with Vostok-E radar.Located at (17°19′25″N 96°15′01″E / 17.32361°N 96.25028°E / 17.32361; 96.25028).
No.(2) Air Defence (Early Warning) Battalion La Ta Ya-2 near Myeik Airport, Myeik Coastal Regional Command Equipped with 80K6 radar.Located at (12°26′26″N 98°37′28″E / 12.44056°N 98.62444°E / 12.44056; 98.62444).
No.(3) Air Defence (Early Warning) Battalion La Ta Ya-3 Loilem Township East Central Regional Command
No.(4) Air Defence (Early Warning) Battalion La Ta Ya-4 Thaton South Eastern Regional Command
No.(5) Air Defence (Early Warning) Battalion La Ta Ya-5 Hmawbi Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(6) Air Defence (Early Warning) Battalion La Ta Ya-6 Unknown Unknown
No.(7) Air Defence (Early Warning) Battalion La Ta Ya-7 near Sawye(also called Sun Ye) village, Kyaukse Central Regional Command
No.(8) Air Defence (Early Warning) Battalion La Ta Ya-8 near Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri Township Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command Equipped with JY-27A radar.Located at (19°51′34″N 96°03′30″E / 19.85944°N 96.05833°E / 19.85944; 96.05833).
No.(9) Air Defence (Early Warning) Battalion La Ta Ya-9 Seikphyu Township, Pakokku District Central Regional Command
No.(1) Air Defence (Signal) Battalion La Sa Ya-1 Phaung Gyi, Hlegu Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(2) Air Defence (Signal) Battalion La Sa Ya-2 near Myeik Airport, Myeik Coastal Regional Command
No.(3) Air Defence (Signal) Battalion La Sa Ya-3 Loilem Township East Central Regional Command
No.(4) Air Defence (Signal) Battalion La Sa Ya-4 Thaton South Eastern Regional Command
No.(5) Air Defence (Signal) Battalion La Sa Ya-5 Hmawbi Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(6) Air Defence (Signal) Battalion La Sa Ya-6 Unknown Unknown
No.(7) Air Defence (Signal) Battalion La Sa Ya-7 near Sawye (also called Sun Ye) village, Kyaukse Central Regional Command
No.(8) Air Defence (Signal) Battalion La Sa Ya-8 near Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri Township Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command
No.(9) Air Defence (Signal) Battalion La Sa Ya-9 Seikphyu Township, Pakokku District Central Regional Command
No.(1) Air Defence (ECM) Battalion La A Ya-1 Phaung Gyi, Hlegu Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(2) Air Defence (ECM) Battalion La A Ya-2 Ye village, Myeik Coastal Regional Command
No.(3) Air Defence (ECM) Battalion La A Ya-3 Loilem Township East Central Regional Command
No.(4) Air Defence (ECM) Battalion La A Ya-4 Thaton South Eastern Regional Command
No.(5) Air Defence (ECM) Battalion La A Ya-5 Hmawbi Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(6) Air Defence (ECM) Battalion La A Ya-6 Unknown Unknown
No.(7) Air Defence (ECM) Battalion La A Ya-7 Mt. Dat Taw, Kyaukse Central Regional Command
No.(8) Air Defence (ECM) Battalion La A Ya-8 near Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri Township Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command
No.(9) Air Defence (ECM) Battalion La A Ya-9 Seikphyu Township, Pakokku District Central Regional Command
No.(1) Air Defence (Mechanism) Battalion La Ya Ta-1 Phaung Gyi, Hlegu Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(2) Air Defence (Mechanism) Battalion La Ya Ta-2 near Myeik Airport, Myeik Coastal Regional Command
No.(3) Air Defence (Mechanism) Battalion La Ya Ta-3 Loilem Township East Central Regional Command
No.(4) Air Defence (Mechanism) Battalion La Ya Ta-4 Thaton South Eastern Regional Command
No.(5) Air Defence (Mechanism) Battalion La Ya Ta-5 Hmawbi Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(6) Air Defence (Mechanism) Battalion La Ya Ta-6 Unknown Unknown
No.(7) Air Defence (Mechanism) Battalion La Ya Ta-7 Mt. Yat Tat, Kyaukse Central Regional Command
No.(8) Air Defence (Mechanism) Battalion La Ya Ta-8 near Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri Township Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command
No.(9) Air Defence (Mechanism) Battalion La Ya Ta-9 Seikphyu Township, Pakokku District Central Regional Command
No.(1) Air Defence (Workshop) Battalion La La Ya-1 Phaung Gyi, Hlegu Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(2) Air Defence (Workshop) Battalion La La Ya-2 near Myeik Airport, Myeik Coastal Regional Command
No.(3) Air Defence (Workshop) Battalion La La Ya-3 Loilem Township East Central Regional Command
No.(4) Air Defence (Workshop) Battalion La La Ya-4 Thaton South Eastern Regional Command
No.(5) Air Defence (Workshop) Battalion La La Ya-5 Hmawbi Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(6) Air Defence (Workshop) Battalion La La Ya-6 Unknown Unknown
No.(7) Air Defence (Workshop) Battalion La La Ya-7 Oak Pho Pyin village, Kyaukse Central Regional Command
No.(8) Air Defence (Workshop) Battalion La La Ya-8 near Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri Township Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command
No.(9) Air Defence (Workshop) Battalion La La Ya-9 Seikphyu Township, Pakokku District Central Regional Command
No.(1005) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-1005 Namhsan East Central Regional Command
No.(1007) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-1007 Paung South Eastern Regional Command
No.(1009) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-1009 Hmawbi Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(1010) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-1010 Tharrawaddy Southern Regional Command
No.(1013) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-1013 Sawye (also called Sun Ye) village, Kyaukse Central Regional Command
No.(1014) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-1014 Madaya Township Central Regional Command
No.(1015) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-1015 Taungoo Southern Regional Command
No.(1019) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-1019 Taung Nyo, Ottarathiri Township Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command
No.(2010) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2010 Loilem Township East Central Regional Command
No.(2011) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2011 Unknown Triangle Regional Command
No.(2014) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2014 Myeik Coastal Regional Command
No.(2017) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2017 Thanap Chaung village, Taikkyi Township Yangon Command
No.(2018) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2018 Kawhmu Township Southern Regional Command
No.(2019) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2019 Hmawbi Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(2020) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2020 Bago Southern Regional Command
No.(2025) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2025 Meiktila Central Regional Command
No.(2026) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2026 Yan Tin village, Kyaukse Township Central Regional Command
No.(2027) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2027 Mongmao Township Central Regional Command
No.(2028) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2028 Nghat Kyee Thike village, Kyaukse Township Central Regional Command
No.(2029) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2029 Myo Hla Southern Regional Command
No.(2030) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2030 Swar Southern Regional Command
No.(2031) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2031 Lewe Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command
No.(2032) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-2032 Tatkon Township Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command
No.(3009) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3009 Namhsan East Central Regional Command
No.(3014) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3014 Thaton South Eastern Regional Command
No.(3017) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3017 Mingaladon Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(3018) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3018 Yay Kyaw, Pazundaung Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(3019) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3019 Twante Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(3020) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3020 Hmawbi Township, Yangon Yangon Regional Command
No.(3025) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3025 Shante, Meiktila Central Regional Command
No.(3026) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3026 Mandalay (beside Mandalay Palace) Central Regional Command
No.(3027) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3027 Tada-U Township Central Regional Command
No.(3028) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3028 Kyaukpadaung Central Regional Command
No.(3029) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3029 Taungoo Southern Regional Command
No.(3030) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3030 Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri Township Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command
No.(3031) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3031 Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri Township Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command
No.(3032) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3032 Mt. Seik Phoo, Taungoo Nay Pyi Taw Regional Command
No.(3034) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3034 Kyauk Hpu Southern Regional Command
No.(3036) Air Defence Battalion La Ka Ta-3036 Unknown North Western Regional Command

Equipments

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The following is the list of equipments used by air defence battalions of Myanmar.

Anti-aircraft guns(AAA)

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Model Origin Year of receipt Quantity Notes
Type-87  China 2005-2010 380[8] Chinese variant of Soviet ZU-23-2 in 25x183mmB calibre.
Type-74  China 2000-2005 24[3] 37 mm AAA.
Type 59[3]  China 2010 Unknown Anti-aircraft gun (57mm) based on AZP S-60.Received hundreds of this type in 2010.
MR-4  Romania 2000-2005 200[4] Romanian variant of ZPU-4.
MAA-01 35mm anti-aircraft gun[3]  Myanmar 2012–present (licence built) 10 (as of 2017)[3] Locally producing with the Chinese assistance. Similar to Chinese Type-90 35 mm twin AA gun.[3]
Type-87 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns  Myanmar 2010-2016 Unknown Chinese Type-87 25 mm twin AA guns, produced in local with TOT, are fitted on the Dongfeng EQ-2102 trucks. Each anti-aircraft artillery/air defence division comprises three battalions equipped with these AA guns.[4]

Man portable air defence systems(MANPADs)

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Model Origin Year of receipt Quantity Notes
Igla-1E (SA-16 Gimlet)  Bulgaria
 Myanmar 		2010–present (licensed production) 2100[3] Very short-range portable surface-to-air missile. 100 SA-16s received from Bulgaria in 1999. 2000 units of SA-16s producing in locally with TOT between 2004 and 2014.[3]
Igla (SA-18 Grouse)  Russia Unknown 100[4][3] Very short-range portable surface-to-air missile. For infantry use.
Igla-S (SA-24 Grinch)  Russia 2015-2018 400[4] Very short-range portable surface-to-air missile. For infantry use.
HN-5A  China 1990-1992 200[4] Possibly being retired.

Air defence systems(SAM)

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Model Origin Year of receipt Quantity Notes
Long-range air defence system
KF-3  China 2022 unknown medium to long range air-defence system.

Receive from China since 2021

S-200 Dubna
(SA-5 Gammon)[6][7] 		 Russia 2008 20 Long-range air defence system. North Korea have shipped as many as 20 S-200 launchers to Myanmar. Unclear as to how many units remain in service[7]
Medium-range air defence systems
Pechora-2M (SA-3 Goa)  Russia 2010-2014 8 systems (batteries)[9][10][11] Medium range surface-to-air missile system. Total of 30 launching vehicles.[4][12]
Kub 2K12M2 (SA-6 "Gainful")  Belarus 2008-2010 24[4] Medium-range surface to air missile system.
Kub/Buk Kavadrat-M (SA-6 "Gainful")  Belarus 2016 2 batteries[3] Medium range surface-to-air missile system. Received in 2016.[3]
KS-1A  China 2014-2015 7 batteries[3] (Four KS-1A batteries and the rest are KS-1M batteries) Medium-range surface-to-air missile system.
KS-1M  Myanmar 2015-2020(Locally producing) Medium range surface-to-air missile system. Producing under licence in Myanmar.[3] According to the licence, 12 batteries will be produced by 2020.
S-75M3 Volga-2 (SA-2 Guideline)  Russia 2004 and 2008 48[4] 48 surface-to-air missile launchers and 250 missiles received in 2008.
BAE Dynamics Bloodhound Mk.II[13][14]  United Kingdom 1999-2000 60 launchers[14] Supplied by Singapore.Possibly retired from service.
Self-propelled short-range air defence systems
Pantsir-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound)  Russia On order Ordered in 2020.[15]
TOR-M1 (SA-15 Gauntlet)  Russia 2004-2008 Unknown[1] For critical areas.[1]
2K22M Tunguska (SA-19 "Grison")  Russia 2004-2007(38units) and 2019(3units) 41 38 acquired from Russia between 2004 and 2007[3] and 3 from Ukraine in 2019[16]
MADV  Myanmar 2009-2014(locally produced) 180 (as of 2013) Air defence variants of locally made Naung Yoe armoured vehicle (utility version). Four Igla mounted MADVs are standard organic AD systems for the Infantry Brigades.[1] Using SA-16 surface-to-air missiles.[3]

Future equipments

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g IndraStra Global Editorial Team (30 October 2020). "Myanmar Integrated Air Defense System". Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  2. ^ China's People, Military (4 September 2014). "外媒：中国售缅甸机动雷达 巴基斯坦评价不错". Archived from the original on 25 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Trade-Register-1971-2018.rft". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Myanmar". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  5. ^ Army Recognitions (29 January 2021). "TOR-M1 9A331 SA-15 Gauntlet Ground-to-air missile on armored vehicle". Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  6. ^ a b Army Recognition (6 November 2011). "SA-5 Gammon S-200 Angara Vega Dubna". Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  7. ^ a b c MISSILETHREAT CSIS Missile Defence Project (6 November 2011). "S-200 (SA-5 Gammon)". Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  8. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2017). The Military Balance 2017. Routlegde. ISBN 9781857439007.
  9. ^ Army Recognition (23 January 2021). "Myanmar to get Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense systems". Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  10. ^ a b Tass (23 January 2021). "Russia to supply air defense systems Pantsir-S1 to Myanmar". Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  11. ^ a b New Defence Order Strategy (23 January 2021). "Myanmar to Obtain Pantsir-S1 & Orlan-10E". Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Unique surface-to-air missile baffles foreign military diplomats in Egypt". Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  13. ^ Selth, Andrew (2002): Burma's Armed Forces: Power Without Glory, Eastbridge. ISBN 1-891936-13-1
  14. ^ a b "Selth, Andrew (2000): Burma's Order of Battle: An Interim Assessment. ISBN 0-7315-2778-X". Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Russia To Deliver To Myanmar Pantsir-S1 Air Defense Systems, Orlan-10E Drones". UrduPoint. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  16. ^ "Спецтехноекспорт поставив М'янмі три "Тунгуски" по $1000". Retrieved 22 September 2019.
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