Kyaw Swar Lin, anticipated to be Myanmar's next military chief, has experienced a privileged trajectory, securing the trust of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing despite a relatively unremarkable career, according to military analysts.
He skillfully avoided combat duty, achieving the distinction of the country's youngest lieutenant general at the age of 45, earning him the nicknames "Nay Toe" and "Pyi Ti Oo" from his peers. Currently holding dual roles as acting Army Chief of Staff and Quartermaster General, Kyaw Swar Lin manages a military budget exceeding 5.6 trillion kyats (approximately US$2.7 billion) for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
A member of the Defense Services Academy 35th intake, Kyaw Swar Lin assumed the position of Chief of Staff after the incarceration of former Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun on corruption charges earlier this year. His prominence grew when he succeeded Moe Myint Tun as the personal staff officer for Maung Aye, the deputy supremo of the previous military regime led by Than Shwe.
Having served as a captain in the war office, Kyaw Swar Lin's subsequent appointment as the commander of the Light Infantry Battalion based at Pyinmana near Naypyitaw did not involve combat duties but focused on security in the administrative capital. His career further advanced as a colonel and tactical commander in Shan State's Tachilek under Triangle Region Command, where he faced tensions but no actual combat.
Notably, Kyaw Swar Lin played a role in the 2017 "clearance operations" against the Rohingya in northern Rakhine State. As a chief of staff, he coordinated between military leaders during the operations, and despite international condemnation for the incident being labeled a textbook case of genocide by the UN, Kyaw Swar Lin escaped punishment and even received a promotion.
Subsequent appointments included heading Central Command in Mandalay, where the Ta'ang National Liberation Army attacked the Defense Services Academy. After two years as a regional commander, Kyaw Swar Lin ascended to the rank of lieutenant general and was appointed Quartermaster General. His quick rise and blind obedience to Min Aung Hlaing have positioned him as a likely successor for the chief of the armed forces if his caretaker role as Chief of General Staff becomes permanent.
