# Myanmar Air Defense Forces

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.
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.

## Command and control structure

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

Each early warning battalion is equipped with a 3D air surveillance radar, such as JY-27A radar, YLC-2V radar, 80K6 radar and 1L-117 radar, or a 2D VHF radar, such as Vostok-E radar and P-18M radar. 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). 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 or TWS-312 radars (licence built TH-5711 radar), 5 Tunguska-M1 self-propelled anti-aircraft systems or Tor-M1 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 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

| 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
### Training school

| 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

| 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

| 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

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

### Anti-aircraft guns(AAA)

| Model | Origin | Year of receipt | Quantity | Notes |
| Type-87 | China | 2005-2010 | 380 | Chinese variant of Soviet ZU-23-2 in 25x183mmB calibre. |
| Type-74 | China | 2000-2005 | 24 | 37 mm AAA. |
| Type 59 | 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 | Romanian variant of ZPU-4. |
| MAA-01 35mm anti-aircraft gun | Myanmar | 2012–present (licence built) | 10 (as of 2017) | Locally producing with the Chinese assistance. Similar to Chinese Type-90 35 mm twin AA gun. |
| 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. |

### Man portable air defence systems(MANPADs)

| Model | Origin | Year of receipt | Quantity | Notes |
| Igla-1E (SA-16 Gimlet) | Bulgaria Myanmar | 2010–present (licensed production) | 2100 | 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. |
| Igla (SA-18 Grouse) | Russia | Unknown | 100 | Very short-range portable surface-to-air missile. For infantry use. |
| Igla-S (SA-24 Grinch) | Russia | 2015-2018 | 400 | Very short-range portable surface-to-air missile. For infantry use. |
| HN-5A | China | 1990-1992 | 200 | Possibly being retired. |

### Air defence systems(SAM)

| 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) | 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 |
| Medium-range air defence systems |||||
| Pechora-2M (SA-3 Goa) | Russia | 2010-2014 | 8 systems (batteries) | Medium range surface-to-air missile system. Total of 30 launching vehicles. |
| Kub 2K12M2 (SA-6 "Gainful") | Belarus | 2008-2010 | 24 | Medium-range surface to air missile system. |
| Kub/Buk Kavadrat-M (SA-6 "Gainful") | Belarus | 2016 | 2 batteries | Medium range surface-to-air missile system. Received in 2016. |
| KS-1A | China | 2014-2015 | 7 batteries (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) | 7 batteries (Four KS-1A batteries and the rest are KS-1M batteries) | Medium range surface-to-air missile system. Producing under licence in Myanmar. According to the licence, 12 batteries will be produced by 2020. |
| S-75M3 Volga-2 (SA-2 Guideline) | Russia | 2004 and 2008 | 48 | 48 surface-to-air missile launchers and 250 missiles received in 2008. |
| BAE Dynamics Bloodhound Mk.II | United Kingdom | 1999-2000 | 60 launchers | 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. |
| TOR-M1 (SA-15 Gauntlet) | Russia | 2004-2008 | Unknown | For critical areas. |
| 2K22M Tunguska (SA-19 "Grison") | Russia | 2004-2007(38units) and 2019(3units) | 41 | 38 acquired from Russia between 2004 and 2007 and 3 from Ukraine in 2019 |
| 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. Using SA-16 surface-to-air missiles. |

## Future equipments

* Pantsir S1 - On 22 January 2021 Senior General Min Aung Hlaing signed an agreement which included Pantsir S1 systems, Orlan-10E UAVs and radars during the Russian defence minister Sergey Shoygu visit to Naypyidaw.