Myanmar
displays latest military acquisition during the annual parade of Armed Forces
Day.

Myanmar’s
military displayed its latest weaponry – including tanks and fighter
planes – for the first time during the annual parade to mark Armed
Forces Day, the 68th, March 27, 2013. Defence Services Commander-in-Chief
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told the parade in Nay Pyi Taw that the
military would continue to play a major role in politics.

The senior general said the military had helped achieve
and protect independence and that as it moves towards modern democracy,
the military will play a leading role in national politics.

Min Aung Hlaing also said the military served the national interest
and that its conflicts with armed ethnic groups were not based on racism
or hatred: “The military is shouldering its duties not for a person
or a group of people. It is not engaged in armed conflicts because of
racial or personal hatred.” The military only fought with insurgents,
he said.

Min Aung Hlaing also said the military needed to modernise, but described
this in terms of the ability to use weapons as well as training methods.
Soldiers need to learn how to use high-tech weapons and systematic training
is necessary to build a capable force, he said.

As Myanmar integrates regionally and globally the military will work
for regional peace and stability, the general said. “As the country
continues to follow a free, active, non-aligned foreign policy and peaceful-coexistence
principle, it is forging amity with regional and international countries
as well as international organisations,” Min Aung Hlaing said.
“Myanmar will continue to work for regional peace and stability
in cooperation with the member countries of [the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations],” he added.

Chinese-made PTL-02
6x6 anti-tank assault gun was showed for the first time parade during
Myanmar’s 68th anniversary celebrations of Armed Forces Day, in
Naypyidaw, Burma, Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

The Russian-made Pechora-2M
air defence missile system was seen for the first time during the military
parade to mark the 68th anniversary of Armed Forces Day in Myanmar's capital
Naypyitaw March 27, 2013.