Tatmadaw

Tatmadaw
   The armed forces of the Union of Myanmar. Because this Burmese term contains the honorific suffix "daw," many persons critical of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) regime prefer the generic term sit tat ("army"). But Tatmadaw remains the most common term to describe the armed forces in the Burmese (Myanmar) language, having been first used by its founder, General Aung San.
   The Tatmadaw comprises three services: the Army (Tatmadaw Kyi), Navy (Tatmadaw Yay), and Air Force (Tatmadaw Lei). Of the three, the Army is the most important in terms of political influence, number of personnel, and historical role in fighting both domestic and foreign opponents of the central government. Since 1988, all three services have undergone significant expansion in personnel and equipment. In the late 1980s, the total number of Tatmadaw personnel was 186,000. By the end of the 20th century, this number exceeded 400,000, with the largest increase in the Army. Economic difficulties in the early 21st century seem to have precluded further expansion to a stated goal of 500,000.
   The Tatmadaw is under the authority of the Ministry of Defence, which in 2005 was headed by Senior General Than Shwe, who served concurrently as chairman of the SPDC and commander in chief of the armed forces. The Ministry of Defence functions both as a government department and as an integrated command headquarters for the three services, and was located in the walled and heavily guarded Defence Services Compound in downtown Rangoon (Yangon) before being relocated to a new headquarters at Eight Mile Junction, north of Inya Lake. In 2005, Tatmadaw and defense ministry headquarters were transferred to the new national capital outside of Pyinmana, in Mandalay Division. Since 1989, the commander in chief of the Tatmadaw has been a senior (five-star) general, the commander of the Army has been a full (four-star) general, and the commanders of the Navy and Air Force have been lieutenant (three-star) generals. Burma is divided into 12 Regional Military Commands (RMC), increased from nine during the 1990s. Each RMC commander is an Army officer of major general (two-star) rank.
   Unlike the armed forces in most Western countries, the Tatmadaw plays primarily an internal security role. For example, Light Infantry Division 11, a rapid response force, was established to keep order in Rangoon after the 1988 unrest. However, enhanced numbers and new equipment also give it greater ability to project its power beyond its borders, especially in historically tense and complex relations with Thailand.
   See also Administration of Burma, State Law and Order Restoration Council/ State Peace and Development Council Era; Myanmar Police Force; Tatmadaw and Burmese Society; Tatmadaw, Economic Role of; Tatmadaw, History of.

Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar). . 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tatmadaw — Myanmar Armed Forces တပ်မတော် Service branches …   Wikipedia

  • Tatmadaw, History of —    Although the dynastic states of precolonial Burma and British colonial Burma had their own armed forces, the present Burmese armed forces, the Tatmadaw, date their history to the establishment of the Burma Independence Army (BIA) in December… …   Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

  • Tatmadaw and Burmese (Myanmar) Society —    When Bogyoke Aung San and his comrades established the Tatmadaw during World War II, he described it as an armed force serving the people and working in close collaboration with them. Two developments after independence in 1948, however, made… …   Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

  • Tatmadaw, Economic Role of —    Both in terms of control of economic enterprises and defense expenditures by the central government the Tatmadaw has played a dominant role in the economy of Burma. After Ne Win established the Revolutionary Council in March 1962, he ordered… …   Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

  • Tatmadaw Lei —    See Air Force …   Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

  • Tatmadaw Yay —    See Navy …   Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

  • Army —    (Tatmadaw Kyi)    The largest of the Tatmadaw s three services. Its commander in chief is a full general (in 2005, General Maung Aye, who also serves as vice chairman of the State Peace and Development Council). Since 1988, when its personnel… …   Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

  • Air Force —    (Tatmadaw Lei)    One of the three services of the Tatmadaw, its commander in chief is a (three star) lieutenant general and member of the State Peace and Development Council. Although compared to the Army it is small in terms of personnel,… …   Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

  • Navy —    (Tatmadaw Yay)    One of the three services of the Tatmadaw, its commander in chief is a (three star) lieutenant general. Unlike some of its neighbors in Southeast Asia, Burma does not have a strong maritime tradition. Yet its long coastline… …   Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)

  • Myanmar Armed Forces — The military of Myanmar, officially known as Tatmadaw (MYname|MY=တပ္မေတာ္|MLCTS=tap ma. taw; IPA2|taʔmədɔ̀) is the military organization of Myanmar, also known as Burma. The armed forces are administered by the Ministry of Defence and are… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”