Editing Tatmadaw (section)

==History==
{{Main|Military history of Myanmar}}

===Burmese monarchy===
{{Main|Royal Burmese armed forces}}
The '''Royal Armed Forces''' was the [[armed forces]] of the [[Burmese monarchy]] from the 9th to 19th centuries. It refers to the military forces of the [[Pagan dynasty]], the [[Ava Kingdom]], the [[Toungoo dynasty]] and the [[Konbaung dynasty]] in chronological order. The army was one of the major armed forces of [[Southeast Asia]] until it was defeated by the [[British Empire|British]] over a six-decade span in the 19th century.

The army was organised into a small standing army of a few thousands, which defended the capital and the palace, and a much larger [[conscription]]-based wartime army. Conscription was based on the ahmudan system, which required local chiefs to supply their predetermined quota of men from their jurisdiction on the basis of population in times of war. The wartime army also consisted of [[war elephants|elephantry]], [[cavalry]], [[artillery]] and [[navy|naval]] units.

[[Firearms]], first introduced from [[China]] in the late 14th century, became integrated into strategy only gradually over many centuries. The first special musket and artillery units, equipped with Portuguese [[matchlock]]s and [[cannon]], were formed in the 16th century. Outside the special firearm units, there was no formal training program for the regular conscripts, who were expected to have a basic knowledge of self-defence, and how to operate the musket on their own. As the technological gap between European powers widened in the 18th century, the army was dependent on Europeans' willingness to sell more sophisticated weaponry.

While the army had held its own against the armies of the kingdom's neighbours, its performance against more technologically advanced European armies deteriorated over time. While it defeated the [[Kingdom of Portugal|Portuguese]] and French intrusions in the 17th and 18th centuries respectively, the army proved unable to match the military strength of the [[British Empire]] in the 19th century, losing the [[First Anglo-Burmese War|First]], [[Second Anglo-Burmese War|Second]] and [[Third Anglo-Burmese War]]s. On 1 January 1886, the [[Royal Burmese armed forces|Royal Burmese Army]] was formally disbanded by the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British government]].

===British Burma (1885–1948)===
Under [[British rule in Burma|British rule]], the colonial government in [[Burma]] abstained from recruiting Burmese soldiers into the [[Presidency armies|East India Company forces]] (and later the [[British Indian Army]]), instead relying on pre-existing Indian [[sepoy]]s and [[Nepalis|Nepalese]] [[Gurkha]]s to garrison the nascent colony. Due to mistrust of the Burmese population, the colonial government maintained this ban for decades, instead looking to the indigenous [[Karen people|Karens]], [[Kachin people|Kachins]] and [[Chin people|Chins]] to form new military units in the colony. In 1937, the colonial government overturned the ban, and Burmese troops started to enlist in small numbers in the [[British Indian Army]].<ref name=dis-37>Steinberg 2009: 37</ref>

At the beginning of the [[World War I|First World War]], the only Burmese military regiment in the [[British Indian Army]], the 70th [[Burma Rifles]], consisted of three [[battalion]]s, made up of [[Karen people|Karens]], [[Jingpo people|Kachins]] and [[Chin people|Chins]]. During the conflict, the demands of war led to the colonial government relaxing the ban, raising a Burmese battalion in the 70th Burma Rifles, a Burmese [[company (military unit)|company]] in the ''85th Burma Rifles'', and seven Burmese Mechanical Transport companies. In addition, three companies ([[combat unit]]s) of ''Burma Sappers and Miners'', made up of mostly Burmese, and a company of [[Royal Pioneer Corps|Labour Corps]], made up of Chins and Burmese, were also raised. All these units began their overseas assignment in 1917. The 70th Burma Rifles served in Egypt for garrison duties while the Burmese Labour Corps served in France. One company of Burma Sappers and Miners distinguished themselves in [[Mesopotamia]] at the crossing the [[Tigris river|Tigris]].<ref name=hr-186>Hack, Retig 2006: 186</ref><ref name=sd-104>Dun 1980: 104</ref>

After the [[World War I|First World War]], the colonial government stopped recruiting Burmese soldiers, and discharged all but one Burmese companies, which had been abolished by 1925. The last Burmese company of Burma Sappers and Miners too was disbanded in 1929.<ref name=hr-186/> Instead, [[Indian Army|Indian soldiers]] and other [[List of ethnic groups in Myanmar|ethnic minorities]] were used as the primary [[Colonial troops|colonial force]] in [[Burma]], which was used to suppress ethnic [[Burmese Rebellion (1930—1932)|Burmese rebellions]] such as the one led by [[Saya San]] from 1930 to 1931. On 1 April 1937, Burma was made a separate colony, and Burmese were now eligible to join the army. But few Burmese bothered to join. Before [[World War II]] began, the British Burma Army consisted of [[Karen people|Karen]] (27.8%), [[Chin people|Chin]] (22.6%), [[Kachin people|Kachin]] (22.9%), and [[Burmese people|Burmese]] 12.3%, without counting their British officer corps.<ref name=dis-29>Steinberg 2009: 29</ref>

[[Compton Mackenzie]] wrote in ''Eastern Epic'' that after the separation of India and Burma:<ref>Sir Compton Mackenzie, "Eastern Epic," Volume 1, Chatto & Windus, 1951, 406/407.</ref>
*"The Army in Burma commanded by a general officer under the Governor comprised;
*1 Headquarters Army in Burma, which was about the same size as the former Headquarters Burma District.
*2 Headquarters Rangoon Brigade Area.
*3 Two British infantry battalions. Four Burma Rifles battalions, each with its own training company for recruits.
*4 One Indian mountain battery and one field company Indian Sappers and Miners. Both.. were on loan from India and the latter was to be replaced by a company of Burma Sappers and Miners in 1940.
*5 A minimum of ancillary units and services without provision for second line transport.
*6 One battalion of the Burma Territorial Force.

These military forces were expanded between 1939 and the end of 1941, but the additional strength was impaired by defects inherent in the organisation as it stood before separation. The small and independent military command now set up had been carved out of the experienced Indian organisation with its comparatively large resources; adequate though this may have been for peacetime conditions it was quite inadequate to deal with the expansion im-
posed by a great war. The officers were drawn from the British service and the Indian Army with little hope of reinforcement in time of war except for the untrained resources of Burma. Before the outbreak of war with Japan and for some time afterwards Burma Army Headquarters was simultaneously a War Office, a G.H.Q,., a Corps H.Q. and an [Lines of Communication] Area H.Q. Matters of detail could have been worked out more quickly and efficiently by G.H.Q,. in India if the Army in Burma had been placed for command and general administration under [it]. As it was, up to November 1940 Burma was directly under the War Office at home; it was then placed under Far Eastern Command at Singapore. Neither arrangement even bordered upon common sense, but although three times in 1940 and 1941 successive commanders-in-chief urged the authorities in the United Kingdom to place Burma [under India], it was not done until December 15th by which time it was too late."

In December 1941, a [[Thirty Comrades|group of Burmese independence activists]] founded the [[Burma Independence Army]] ([[Burma Independence Army|BIA]]) with [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] help. The Burma Independence Army led by [[Aung San]] (the father of [[Aung San Suu Kyi]]) fought in the [[Burma Campaign]] on the side of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]]. Thousands of young men joined its ranks—reliable estimates range from 15,000 to 23,000. The great majority of the recruits were [[Burmese people|Burmese]], with little ethnic minority representation. Many of the fresh recruits lacked discipline. At [[Myaungmya]] in the [[Irrawaddy Delta|Irrawaddy delta]], an [[Ethnic conflict|ethnic war]] broke out between Burmese [[Burma Independence Army|BIA]] men and [[Karen people|Karens]], with both sides responsible for massacres. The [[Burma Independence Army]] was soon replaced with the [[Burma Defence Army]], founded on 26 August 1942 with three thousand BIA veterans. The army became [[Burma National Army]] with General [[Ne Win]] as its commander on 1 August 1943 when Burma achieved nominal independence. In late 1944, it had a strength of approximately 15,000.<ref name=dms-124-126>Seekins 2006: 124–126</ref>

Disillusioned by the [[Japanese occupation of Burma|Japanese occupation]], the [[Burma National Army|BNA]] switched sides, and joined the allied forces on 27 March 1945.

===Post-independence===
[[File:HMS Fal 1943 IWM FL 10071.jpg|thumb|[[UBS Mayu|UBS ''Mayu'']]]]
At the time of Myanmar's independence in 1948, the Tatmadaw was weak, small and disunited. Cracks appeared along the lines of [[Ethnicity|ethnic background]], [[Political identity|political affiliation]], organisational origin and different services. The most serious problem was the tension between Karen Officers, coming from the [[British Burma Army]] and Burmese officers, coming from the [[Burma National Army#Allied cooperation|Patriotic Burmese Force]]          ([[Patriotic Burmese Forces|PBF]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Myoe |first=Maung Aung |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g4bA3Oasvn4C&dq=myanmar+Karen+Officers++Patriotic+Burmese+Force+tension&pg=PA47 |title=Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948 |date=2009-01-22 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=978-981-230-848-1 |language=en}}</ref>

In accordance with the agreement reached at the [[Kandy]] Conference in September 1945, the ''Tatmadaw'' was reorganised by incorporating the British Burma Army and the Patriotic Burmese Force. The officer corps shared by ex-PBF officers and officers from the British Burma Army and Army of Burma Reserve Organisation (ABRO). The colonial government also decided to form what were known as "Class Battalions" based on ethnicity. There were a total of 15 [[infantry|rifle battalions]] at the time of independence and four of them were made up of former members of PBF. None of the influential positions within the War Office and commands were manned with former PBF Officers. All services including [[military engineer]]s, supply and transport, ordnance and medical services, Navy and Air Force were commanded by former Officers from ABRO.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Myoe |first=Maung Aung |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g4bA3Oasvn4C&dq=myanmar+ABRO+and+British+Burma+Army+services&pg=PA48 |title=Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948 |date=2009-01-22 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=978-981-230-848-1 |language=en}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+'''Ethnic and Army Composition of Tatmadaw in 1948'''<ref>Andrew Selth: Power Without Glory</ref>
|-
! style="text-align: center" | Battalion ||! style="text-align: center" | Ethnic/Army Composition
|-
| No. 1 [[Burma Rifles]] || [[Bamar]] (Military Police + Members of Taungoo Guerilla group members associated with Aung San's PBF)
|-
| No. 2 Burma Rifles || 2 Karen Companies + 1 Chin Company and 1 Kachin Company
|-
| No. 3 Burma Rifles || Bamar / Former members of Patriotic Burmese Force – Commanded by then Major [[Kyaw Zaw]] BC-3504
|-
| No. 4 Burma Rifles || Bamar / Former members of Patriotic Burmese Force – Commanded by the then [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Ne Win]] BC-3502
|-
| No. 5 Burma Rifles || Bamar / Former members of Patriotic Burmese Force – Commanded by then Lieutenant Colonel Zeya BC-3503
|-
| No. 6 Burma Rifles || Formed after Aung San was assassinated in later part of 1947, Bamar / Former members of Patriotic Burmese Force – First CO was Lieutenant Colonel Zeya
|-
| No. 1 [[Karen Rifles]]|| [[Karen people|Karen]] / Former members of [[British Burma Army]] and ABRO
|-
| No. 2 Karen Rifles || Karen / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO
|-
| No. 3 Karen Rifles || Karen / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO
|-
| No. 1 Kachin Rifles|| [[Jingpo people|Kachin]] / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO
|-
| No. 2 Kachin Rifles || Kachin / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO
|-
| No. 1 Chin Rifles || [[Chin people|Chin]] / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO
|-
| No. 2 [[Chin Rifles]]|| Chin / Former members of British Burma Army and ABRO
|-
| No. 4 Burma Regiment || [[Burmese Gurkha|Gurkha]]
|-
| Chin Hill Battalion || Chin
|}
[[File:Burmese troops surveying the Burma–China border in 1954.png|thumb|Burmese troops surveying the [[Burma–China border]], circa April 1954, on the lookout for [[Kuomintang in Burma|Chinese Nationalist troops who fled to Burma]] following their defeat in the [[Chinese Civil War]]]]
The War Office was officially opened on 8 May 1948 under the [[Ministry of Defence (Burma)|Ministry of Defence]] and managed by a War Office Council chaired by the Minister of Defence.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Myoe |first=Maung Aung |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g4bA3Oasvn4C&dq=%22tatmadaw%2Bthe%2BWar%2BOffice%2Bwas%2Bofficially%2Bopened%2Bon%2B8%2BMay%2B1948%2Bunder%2Bthe%2BMinistry%2Bof%2BDefence%2Band%2Bmanaged%2Bby%2Ba%2BWar%2BOffice%2BCouncil%2Bchaired%2Bby%2Bthe%2BMinister%2Bof%2BDefence%22&pg=PA52 |title=Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948 |date=2009-01-22 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=978-981-230-848-1 |language=en |access-date=8 August 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031165355/https://books.google.com/books?id=g4bA3Oasvn4C&pg=PA52&dq=%22tatmadaw+the+War+Office+was+officially+opened+on+8+May+1948+under+the+Ministry+of+Defence+and+managed+by+a+War+Office+Council+chaired+by+the+Minister+of+Defence%22 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the head of War Office was Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, [[Adjutant General]] and Quartermaster General. Vice Chief of Staff, who was also Chief of Army Staff and the head of General Staff Office. VCS oversee General Staff matters and there were three branch offices: GS-1 Operation and Training, GS-2 Staff Duty and Planning; GS-3 Intelligence. Signal Corps and Field Engineering Corps are also under the command of General Staff Office.<ref name="ReferenceA">Maung Aung Myoe: Building of Tatmadaw</ref>

According to the war establishment adopted on 14 April 1948, Chief of Staff was under the War Office with the rank of [[major general]]. It was subsequently upgraded to a [[lieutenant general]]. Vice Chief of Staff was a [[brigadier general]]. The Chief of Staff was staffed with GSO-I with the rank of [[lieutenant colonel]], three GSO-II with the rank of major, four GSO-III with the rank of captain for operation, training, planning and intelligence, and one Intelligence Officer (IO). The Chief of Staff office also had one GSO-II and one GSO-III for field engineering, and the Chief Signal Officer and a GSO-II for signal. Directorate of Signal and Directorate Field Engineering are also under General Staff Office.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Under Adjutant General Office were Judge Advocate General, Military Secretary, and Vice Adjutant General. The Adjutant General (AG) was a brigadier general whereas the Judge Advocate General (JAG), Military Secretary (MS) and Vice Adjutant General (VAG) were colonels. VAG handles adjutant staff matters and there were also three branch offices; AG-1 planning, recruitment and transfer; AG-2 discipline, moral, welfare, and education; AG-3 salary, pension, and other financial matters. The Medical Corps and the Provost Marshal Office were under the Adjutant General Office.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The Quarter Master General office also had three branch offices: QG-1 planning, procurement, and budget; QG-2 maintenance, construction, and cantonment; and QG-3 transportation. Under the QMG office were Garrison Engineering Corps, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps, Military Ordnance Corps, and the Supply and Transport Corps.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Both AG and QMG office similar structure to the General Staff Office, but they only had three ASO-III and three QSO-III respectively.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The Navy and Air Force were separate services under the War office but under the chief of staff.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+'''Staff and Command Positions in War Office (1948)'''<ref>Maung Aung Myoe: Building the Tatmadaw</ref>
|-
! style="text-align: center" | Post ||! cellpadding="2" style="text-align: center" | Name and Rank || ! style="text-align: center" | Ethnicity
|-
| [[Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services|Chief of Staff]] || [[Lieutenant General]] [[Smith Dun]] BC 5106 || Karen
|-
| [[Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Army|Chief of Army Staff]] || [[Brigadier General]] [[Saw Kyar Doe]] BC 5107 || Karen
|-
| Chief of Air Staff || [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Saw Shi Sho BAF-1020 || Karen
|-
| Chief of Naval Staff || Commander Khin Maung Bo || Bamar
|-
| North Burma Sub District Commander || Brigadier General [[Ne Win]] BC 3502 || Bamar
|-
| South Burma Sub District Commander || Brigadier General Aung Thin BC 5015|| Bamar
|-
| 1st [[Division (military)|Infantry Division]] || Brigadier General Saw Chit Khin || Karen
|-
| [[Adjutant General]] || Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Win || Bamar
|-
| Judge Advocate General || [[Colonel]] Maung Maung (Bull dog) BC 4034 || Bamar
|-
| [[Quarter master general|Quarter Master General]] || Lieutenant Colonel Saw Donny || Karen
|}

==== Reorganisation in 1956 ====
As per War Office order No. (9) 1955 on 28 September 1955, the Chief of Staff became the Commander in Chief, the Chief of Army Staff became the Vice Chief of Staff (Army), the Chief of Naval Staff become Vice Chief of Staff (Navy) and the Chief of Air Staff became the Vice Chief of Staff (Air).<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Sabry |first=Fouad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ssLEQAAQBAJ&dq=myanmar+1955,+the+Chief+of+Staff+became+the+Commander+in+Chief,&pg=PT72 |title=Military Staff: Strategizing the Nexus, Command, Coordination, and 21st Century Warfare |date=2024-05-30 |publisher=One Billion Knowledgeable |language=en}}</ref>

On 1 January 1956, the War Office was officially renamed as the [[Ministry of Defence (Burma)|Ministry of Defence]]. [[General]] [[Ne Win]] became the first [[Chief of Staff]] of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) to command all three services – Army, Navy and Air Force – under a single unified command for the first time.<ref name=":3" />

[[Brigadier General]] [[Aung Gyi]] was given the post of Vice Chief of Staff (Army). Brigadier General D. A Blake became commander of South Burma Subdistrict Command (SBSD) and Brigadier General Kyaw Zaw, a member of the [[Thirty Comrades]], became Commander of North Burma Subdistrict Command (NBSD).<ref name=":3" />

====Caretaker government====
Due to deteroriating political situations in 1957, the then [[Prime Minister of Burma]], [[U Nu]] invited General [[Ne Win]] to form a "[[Provisional Government of Myanmar|Caretaker Government]]" and handed over power on 28 October 1958. Under the stewardship of the Military Caretaker Government, parliamentary elections were held in February 1960. Several high-ranking and senior officers were dismissed due to their involvement and supporting various political parties.<ref name=":2">{{cite book|last=Maung|first=Aung Myoe|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272092747|title=Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948|year=2009|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=978-981-230-848-1}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+'''Senior Officers dismissed for alleged election fraud'''<ref name="Mya Win - Leaders of Tatmadaw">Mya Win – Leaders of Tatmadaw</ref>
|-
!style="text-align: center" | Serial || !style="text-align: center" | Name and Rank ||! style="text-align: center" | Command || ! style="text-align: center" | Date || ! style="text-align: center" | Notes
|-
| BC3505 || [[Brigadier]] [[Aung Shwe]] || Commander, Southern Burma Sub-District Command || 13 February 1961 ||
|-
| BC3507 || Brigadier Maung Maung || Director of Directorate of Military Training / Commandant, National Defence College || 13 February 1961 ||
|-
| BC3512 || [[Colonel]] Aye Maung || No. 2 Infantry Brigade || 13 February 1961 ||
|-
| BC3517 || Colonel Tin Maung || No. 12 Infantry Brigade || 13 February 1961 ||
|-
| BC3570 || Colonel Hla Maw || No. 5 Infantry Brigade || 13 February 1961 || Father of [[Thein Hla Maw]]
|-
| BC3572 || Colonel Kyi Win || No. 7 Infantry Brigade || 8 March 1961 ||
|-
| BC3647 || Colonel Thein Tote || No. 4 Infantry Brigade || 13 February 1961 ||
|-
| BC3181 || Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Myint || || 23 June 1962 ||No. 10 Infantry Brigade // 13 February 1961
|-
| BC3649 || Lieutenant Colonel Chit Khaing || Deputy Commandant, Combat Forces School || 13 February 1962 ||
|}

====1962 coup d'état====
{{main|1962 Burmese coup d'état}}
{{see also|Military rule in Myanmar}}
The elections of 1960 had put [[U Nu]] back as the Prime Minister and Pyidaungsu Party         ([[Union Party (Burma)|Union Party]]) led civilian government resume control of the country.

On 2 March 1962, the then Chief of Staff of Armed Forces, General [[Ne Win]] [[1962 Burmese coup d'état|staged a coup d'état]] and formed the "[[Union Revolutionary Council]]".<ref>Mya Win: Leaders of Tatmadaw</ref> Around midnight the troops began to move into Yangon to take up strategic position. Prime Minister [[U Nu]] and his cabinet ministers were taken into protective custody. At 8:50 am, General [[Ne Win]] announced the coup over the radio. He said "''I have to inform you, citizens of the Union that Armed Forces have taken over the responsibility and the task of keeping the country's safety, owing to the greatly deteriorating conditions of the Union.''" <ref>Dr. Maung Maung: General Ne Win and Burma</ref>

The country would be ruled by the military for the next 12 years. The [[Burma Socialist Programme Party]] became the sole political party and the majority of its full members were military.<ref>{{cite book|author=Martin Smith|title=Burma – Insurgency and the Politics of Ethnicity|year=1991|publisher=Zed Books|location=London and New Jersey}}</ref> Government servants underwent military training and the Military Intelligence Service functioned as the secret police of the state.

====1988 coup d'état====
{{main|8888 Uprising}}

At the height of the [[8888 Uprising|Four Eights Uprising]] against the socialist government, Former General [[Ne Win]], who at the time was chairman of the ruling [[Burma Socialist Programme Party]] ([[Burma Socialist Programme Party|BSPP]]), issued a warning against potential protestors during a televised speech. He stated that if the "disturbances" continued the "Army would have to be called and I would like to make it clear that if the Army shoots, it has no tradition of shooting into the Air, it would shoot straight to hit".<ref name="NWS">{{cite AV media | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDRK4z5JZxc | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607112523/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDRK4z5JZxc| archive-date=2014-06-07 | url-status=dead| title=Dictator Ne Win threatening speech to the people in 1988 | publisher=Myanmar Radio and Television | date=23 July 1988}}</ref>

Subsequently, the 22 Light Infantry Division, 33 Light Infantry Division and the 44 Light Infantry Division were redeployed to [[Yangon]] from front line fighting against ethnic insurgents in the Karen states. Battalions from three Light Infantry Divisions, augmented by infantry battalions under Yangon Regional Military Command and supporting units from Directorate of Artillery and Armour Corps were deployed during the suppression of protests in and around the then capital city of Yangon.

Initially, these troops were deployed in support of the then [[People's Police Force]] (now known as [[Myanmar Police Force]]) security battalions and to patrol the streets of the capital and to guard government offices and building. However, at midnight of 8 August 1988 troops from 22 Light Infantry Division guarding Yangon City Hall opened fire on unarmed protesters as the crackdown against the protests began.

The armed forces under General Saw Maung formed a [[State Law and Order Restoration Council]], repealed the constitution and declared [[martial law]] on 18 September 1988. By late September the military had complete control of the country.

====Political reforms (2008–2020)====
[[File:Burmese Defence Services personnel, Naypyidaw.jpg|thumb|Air Force personnel|254x254px]]
In 2008, the current [[2008 Constitution of Myanmar|constitution]] was released by the military government for a public referendum. The [[State Peace and Development Council|SPDC]] claimed that the referendum was a success, with an approval rate of 93.82%; however, there has been widespread criticism of the veracity of these claims, partially because [[Cyclone Nargis]] hit Myanmar a few days before the referendum, and the government did not allow postponement of the referendum.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7393648.stm | work=BBC News | title=Burmese voice anger on poll day | date=10 May 2008 | access-date=7 March 2022 | archive-date=14 April 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414034526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7393648.stm | url-status=live }}</ref> Under the 2008 Constitution, the Tatmadaw is guaranteed 25% of the seats in the parliament, making it difficult to pass meaningful reforms that the Tatmadaw does not approve of.

In 2010, conscription legislation was passed that compelled able-bodied men and women between 18–45 and 18–35 respectively to serve up to three years in the military, or face significant jail sentences.<ref>{{cite news |website=www.dvb.no |first=Joseph |last=Allchin |url=http://www.dvb.no/news/burma-introduces-military-draft/13640 |publisher=[[Democratic Voice of Burma]] |date=10 January 2011 |access-date=2023-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112072052/http://www.dvb.no/news/burma-introduces-military-draft/13640 |archive-date=12 January 2011 |title=Burma introduces military draft }}</ref>

Following Myanmar's political reforms, Myanmar has made substantial shifts in its relations with major powers [[China]], [[Russia]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/policy-shifts-in-myanmars-ties-with-major-powers|title=Myanmar and major powers: shifts in ties with China, Russia and the US|date=22 April 2017|work=[[The Straits Times]]|access-date=4 July 2018|language=en|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704092901/https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/policy-shifts-in-myanmars-ties-with-major-powers|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, Lieutenant-General [[Anthony G. Crutchfield|Anthony Crutchfield]], the deputy commander of the [[United States Pacific Command]] (USPACOM), was invited to address his counterparts at the Myanmar National Defence College in [[Naypyidaw]], which trains colonels and other high-ranking military officers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/commentary/us-engage-myanmar.html|title=Opinion {{!}} How Should the US Engage Myanmar?|date=9 February 2018|work=The Irrawaddy|access-date=4 July 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704123553/https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/commentary/us-engage-myanmar.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2016, Myanmar's [[Assembly of the Union|Union Parliament]] approved a military cooperation agreement with [[Russia]] following a proposal by Deputy Minister of Defence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.vov.vn/world/myanmar-parliament-passes-military-cooperation-plan-with-russia-319468.vov|title=Myanmar parliament passes military cooperation plan with Russia|date=12 May 2016|work=VOV – VOV Online Newspaper|access-date=4 July 2018}}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In June 2016, Myanmar and Russia signed a defence cooperation agreement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/16368/Russia__Myanmar_Sign_Military_Cooperation_Agreement#.WZqBN_yCq5|title=Russia, Myanmar Sign Military Cooperation Agreement|website=www.defenseworld.net|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-date=21 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021111429/http://www.defenseworld.net/news/16368/Russia__Myanmar_Sign_Military_Cooperation_Agreement#.WZqBN_yCq5|url-status=live}}</ref> The agreement will envisage exchanging information on international security issues, including the fight against terrorism, cooperation in the cultural sphere and leisure of servicemen and their families, along with exchanging experience in peacekeeping activities.

Moreover, in response to Naypyidaw's post-2011 political and economic reforms, [[Australia]] re-established a ‘normal’ bilateral relationship with Myanmar to support democratisation and reform. In June 2016, the [[Australian Federal Police]] signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with its Myanmar counterparts aimed at enhancing [[transnational crime]] cooperation and intelligence sharing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1718/Quick_Guides/Myanmar|title=Defence cooperation with Myanmar—Australia and other countries: a quick guide|website=www.aph.gov.au|language=en-AU|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704092900/https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1718/Quick_Guides/Myanmar|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2017, the US imposed sanctions on General [[Maung Maung Soe (general)|Maung Maung Soe]], a general of Western Myanmar Command who oversaw the [[Rohingya conflict|military's crackdown]] in Rakhine State. The Tatmadaw had sentenced seven soldiers to 10-year prison terms for killing 10 Rohingya men in Rakhine in September 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/us-house-backs-measures-sanction-myanmars-military-nudge-gem-sector-reform.html|title=US House Backs Measures to Sanction Myanmar's Military, Nudge Gem Sector Reform|date=25 May 2018|work=The Irrawaddy|access-date=4 July 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704063606/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/us-house-backs-measures-sanction-myanmars-military-nudge-gem-sector-reform.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A 2019 UN report revealed the degree to which the country's military uses its own businesses, foreign companies and arms deals to support, away from the public eye, a “brutal operations” against ethnic groups that constitute “serious crimes under international law”, bypassing civilian oversight and evading accountability.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/08/1043701|title=Myanmar companies bankroll 'brutal operations' of military, independent UN experts claim in new report|date=5 August 2019|access-date=9 August 2019|archive-date=9 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809112445/https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/08/1043701|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2020, the Tatmadaw accused [[China]] for arming rebel groups in the country's frontier areas.<ref>{{cite web|title=After ASEAN & India, Now Myanmar Accuses China Of Creating Trouble On The Border|url=https://eurasiantimes.com/now-myanmar-accuses-china-for-creating-trouble-in-the-country/|access-date=16 July 2020|website=EurAsian Times|date=30 June 2020|archive-date=24 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724122937/https://eurasiantimes.com/now-myanmar-accuses-china-for-creating-trouble-in-the-country/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 2021 coup d'état and aftermath ====
{{main|2021 Myanmar coup d'état}}
[[File:Myanmar civil war.svg|thumb|190px|Military situation in Myanmar {{As of|2025|lc=yes}}. Areas controlled by the Tatmadaw are highlighted in {{highlight|red|#EBC0B3}}.]]
In February 2021, the Tatmadaw detained [[Aung San Suu Kyi]] and other high-ranking politicians after a contested election with disputed results. A [[state of emergency]] had been declared for one year.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Myanmar military takes control of country after detaining Aung San Suu Kyi|work=BBC News|date=February 2021|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-55882489/|access-date=1 February 2021|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131235905/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-55882489|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[State Administration Council]] was established by [[Min Aung Hlaing]] on 2 February 2021 as the current government in power. On 1 August 2021, the State Administration Council was re-formed as a [[caretaker government]], which appointed Min Aung Hlaing as [[Prime Minister of Myanmar|Prime Minister]].<ref>{{cite web|date=1 August 2021|title=Urgent: Myanmar forms caretaker government: State Administration Council|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-08/01/c_1310100662.htm|url-status=live|access-date=8 October 2021|website=Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008051114/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-08/01/c_1310100662.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1 August 2021|title=Myanmar military leader takes new title of prime minister in caretaker government – state media|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/myanmar-military-leader-takes-new-title-prime-minister-caretaker-government-2021-08-01/|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=1 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801101648/https://www.reuters.com/world/india/myanmar-military-leader-takes-new-title-prime-minister-caretaker-government-2021-08-01/|url-status=live}}</ref> The same day, Min Aung Hlaing announced that the country's state of emergency had been extended by an additional two years.<ref>{{cite web|date=1 August 2021|title=Myanmar military extends emergency, promises vote in 2 years|url=https://apnews.com/article/business-health-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-myanmar-8504af88bd5b2c2c2b30c7da5baa8ad5|access-date=8 October 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008052136/https://apnews.com/article/business-health-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-myanmar-8504af88bd5b2c2c2b30c7da5baa8ad5|url-status=live}}</ref>

As the [[Myanmar civil war (2021–present)|Myanmar Civil War]] has progressed, the Tatmadaw has become more reliant on [[military aid]] from [[Russia]] and [[China]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0079_EN.html|title=Texts adopted – Myanmar, one year after the coup – Thursday, 10 March 2022|access-date=15 March 2022|archive-date=15 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315084225/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0079_EN.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/china-russia-arming-myanmar-junta-un-expert-says/a-60868089|title=China, Russia arming Myanmar junta, UN expert says &#124; DW &#124; 22.02.2022|website=[[Deutsche Welle]]|access-date=15 March 2022|archive-date=15 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315084224/https://www.dw.com/en/china-russia-arming-myanmar-junta-un-expert-says/a-60868089|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2023, analysts suggested that the Tatmadaw has sustained significant losses due to both combat against the pro-democracy insurgents as well as desertions within the rank and file soldiers. The [[United States Institute of Peace|United States Institute for Peace]] estimates that the Tatamadaw has sustained at least 13,000 combat losses and 8,000 losses due to [[desertion]].<ref name=hein>{{cite web |last1=Hein |first1=Ye Myo |title=Myanmar's Military Is Smaller Than Commonly Thought — and Shrinking Fast|website=United States Institute for Peace |access-date=15 November 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320140549/https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/05/myanmars-military-smaller-commonly-thought-and-shrinking-fast|archive-date=March 20, 2024|url=https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/05/myanmars-military-smaller-commonly-thought-and-shrinking-fast}}</ref> The Tatmadaw itself has acknowledged that it does not have control over 132 of Myanmar’s 330 townships, or 42 percent of the country's towns.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Myers |first1=Lucas |title=THE MYANMAR MILITARY IS FACING DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS |url=https://warontherocks.com/2023/11/the-myanmar-military-is-facing-death-by-a-thousand-cuts/ |website=War on the Rocks |date=17 November 2023 |access-date=24 November 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404084809/https://warontherocks.com/2023/11/the-myanmar-military-is-facing-death-by-a-thousand-cuts/|archive-date=April 4, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Abuza |first1=Zachary |title=Signs of desperation as the Myanmar junta rotates commanders |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/commentaries/myanmar-reshuffle-05192023082730.html |website=Radio Free Asia |access-date=24 November 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117102307/https://www.rfa.org/english/commentaries/myanmar-reshuffle-05192023082730.html|archive-date=November 17, 2023}}</ref>

On 10 February 2024, the [[State Administration Council]] activated conscription under the 2010 [[State Peace and Development Council|SPDC]] ''[[People's Military Service Law]]'' in response to anti-junta ethnic militias and pro-democracy rebels capturing massive swathes of territory.<ref> [https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-military-army-draft-resistance-conflict-conscription-45138c3c465609ff4b4fb39c696252d7 Facing setbacks against resistance forces, Myanmar’s military government activates conscription law]. [[AP News]]. February 10, 2024. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210233754/https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-military-army-draft-resistance-conflict-conscription-45138c3c465609ff4b4fb39c696252d7|date=February 10, 2024}}</ref>