The Air Defense Forces () 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 ().
Equipment 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 DefenceYearsNotesLt. General Soe Win1997–2004Later became Prime MinisterLt. General Myint Hlaing2004–2010Later became Union Minister for Agricultural and IrrigationLt. General Sein Win2010–2015Later became Union Minister for DefenseLt. General Tin Maung Win2016–2021Lt. General Myo Moe Aung2021–
Lists of commands and battalions
Training school Training SchoolNicknameLocationNoteAir Defence Training SchoolLa Ta Kanear Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri TownshipLocated at the "19°53'51"N 96°03'06"E".
Air Defence Operation Commands Air Defence Operation Commands (ADOC)NicknameHeadquartersNote 1st Air Defence Operation CommandLa Sa Kha-1Phaung Gyi, Hlegu Township, YangonCommand the air defence battalions located in Bago Region. 2nd Air Defence Operation CommandLa Sa Kha-2near Myeik Airport, MyeikCommand the air defence battalions located in Tanintharyi Region. 3rd Air Defence Operation CommandLa Sa Kha-3Loilem TownshipCommand the air defence battalions located in Shan State. 4th Air Defence Operation CommandLa Sa Kha-4ThatonCommand the air defence battalions located in Mon State. 5th Air Defence Operation CommandLa Sa Kha-5Hmawbi Township, YangonCommand the air defence battalions located in Yangon Region. 6th Air Defence Operation CommandLa Sa Kha-6Unknown 7th Air Defence Operation CommandLa Sa Kha-7near Sawye (also called Sun Ye) village, KyaukseCommand the air defence battalions located in Mandalay Region. 8th Air Defence Operation CommandLa Sa Kha-8near Taung Nyo region, Ottarathiri TownshipLocated 4.5 km south of the air defence training school. Command the air defence battalions located in Naypyidaw Union Territory. 9th Air Defence Operation CommandLa Sa Kha-9Seikphyu Township, Pakokku DistrictCommand the air defence battalions located in Magway Region and Rakhine State.
Air defence battalions