Most Powerful Military Forces in Southern and Eastern Asia

Myanmar

Till date, Myanmar has had the longest internal conflict, which began since its independence in 1948, culminating in the Rohingya “genocide” of 2016. Myanmar does experience some interference from China, which it shares a border with to the north.

But while violence may occasionally spill into their border with China, Myanmar doesn’t outrightly challenge China. As such, most of its military is geared towards suppression of dissent within, and not confrontation with external parties.

credit: Wikipedia
With 406,000 active personnel (and none in reserve), 59 fighter jets, 1734 combat tanks, and armored vehicles, 114 rocket projectors, 155 naval assets (no submarines, destroyers or aircraft carriers) and no special forces, Myanmar is ranked 37th in the world in terms of military might.

Myanmar sets aside $2.4 billion for its military, or about one-quarter of its GDP, rivaling only North Korea in its prioritization of the military.