According to military sources in Naypyidaw, Min Aung Hlaing has delegated the majority of nationwide military operational authority to General Kyaw Swar Lin. This delegation of power has resulted in General Kyaw Swar Lin wielding more operational authority than even Deputy Commander-in-Chief General Soe Win, according to these sources.
General Kyaw Swar Lin, who was appointed as the Joint Chief of Staff (Army, Navy, and Air) in December 2024, has accumulated significant military administrative and operational powers within five months of assuming his position. He has become particularly influential in military operations and strategic decision-making, working closely with Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing. Military sources indicate that he has gained more decision-making authority in military operations than the Deputy Commander-in-Chief.
According to Naypyidaw military sources, Min Aung Hlaing regularly delegates temporary military operational authority to General Kyaw Swar Lin during his foreign trips. Furthermore, some military and operational decisions are now being made without informing the Deputy Commander-in-Chief and other senior generals. The sources also noted that Min Aung Hlaing and Kyaw Swar Lin have developed a closer working relationship, with the latter being frequently consulted on important military matters.
General Kyaw Swar Lin is a graduate of the Defense Services Academy Intake 35. He served as the Commander of the Central Regional Military Command in 2018. In May 2020, he was appointed as Quartermaster General with the rank of Lieutenant General, and in 2023, he simultaneously held the position of Chief of Staff (Army). He was appointed as the Joint Chief of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force on December 19, 2024. His rapid rise through the military hierarchy and increasing influence in military decision-making processes represents a significant shift in the power dynamics within the military council’s leadership structure.
