Military Capability

Myanmar’s military capability is not completely known and it is assumed that the actual figure is regularly changing due to conflicts with resistance groups and the changing loyalty of militia groups. In any case, it is likely that Myanmar’s military is shrinking due to fading support to the military junta.

The Junta’s military force is known as the Sit-Tat, whereas the People’s Defence Forces (PDF) is an umbrella term to describe rebel and vigilante groups who have opposed the Sit-Tat in the lead up to, and since, the military coup. 

Sit-Tat

The Sit-Tat may have had as many as 400,000 members prior to the coup, with best estimates at around 150,000 members as of 2023. Combat casualties from the coup so far could be as high as 20,000 troops with many more thought to have deserted. It has been claimed by previous deserters that the true strengths of battalions are not fully known even by the junta, as parade states are forged by commanding officers to avoid retribution from the junta. The salaries of deserters can then be used as bonuses to gather new recruits to bolster numbers. 

PDF

The PDF size and composition is unknown. What is known is that the PDF is made up of three key groups. The first group are large military groups under the control of and in support of the shadow civilian government, the National Unity Government (NUG). These groups are known as People’s Defence Forces (PDFs). Local militias that operate in support of communities are called Local Defence Forces (LDFs). Local guerrilla units that perform local defence and security tasks are called People’s Defence Teams (PDTs). Although the three types of forces are collectively called the PDF, only the PDFs operate under joint command and control systems. The three forces are not networked or organised to operate collectively, aside from their common goal to protect the people of Myanmar and reinstate a democratic government. 

For further information on the Myanmar military, see the resources below:

Articles:

1. Myanmar’s military numbers | Lowy Institute
2. Myanmar’s Military Is Smaller Than Commonly Thought – and Shrinking Fast | United States Institute of Peace (usip.org)
3. Understanding the People’s Defense Forces in Myanmar | United States Institute of Peace (usip.org)
4. 2023 Myanmar Military Strength (globalfirepower.com)

Military Co-Operation with Australia

In 2013, Australia renewed defence ties with Myanmar following its return to democratic rule. The resident Defence Attache position returned to Myanmar along with the port visit of the RAN Armidale Class patrol boat HMAS Childers. In 2017, Australia was called on by Amnesty International to suspend cooperation with Myanmar citing human rights concerns. Following the coup in 2021, Australia suspended all military cooperation with Myanmar, including the suspension of an English language training program. 

For further information on the Myanmar military co-operation with Australia, see the resources below:

Articles:

1. Statement on Myanmar | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
2. Defence cooperation with Myanmar – Australia and other countries: a quick guide – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)
3. Myanmar country brief | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)