Nyan Tun is the former Navy Commander-in-Chief and a former board member of the regime’s conglomerate Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings (UMEH). He is believed to be loyal to Tatmadaw Commander-in-Chief Vice Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and close to former SPDC Chairman Sr Gen Than Shwe.

Born in the mid-1950s, Nyan Tun graduated from the 16th intake of the Defense Services Academy (DSA) in the mid-1970s. He also attended the National Defense College.

In June 2008, Nyan Tun replaced Vice-Admiral Soe Thein as Navy Commander-in-Chief. Soe Thein was relieved of his military post following the SPDC’s disappointment over the Navy’s failure to respond to the presence of French and American ships off Burma’s coast after cyclone Nargis. Nyan Tun was promoted to Vice-Admiral in 2010 and to Admiral in 2012.

In a bid to strengthen military ties with regional neighbors, Nyan Tun visited India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Pakistan.

Nyan Tun played a key role in relations between the regime and Bangladesh. In November 2008, Nyan Tun oversaw a naval standoff with Bangladesh over disputed waters in the Bay of Bengal. In December 2011, during an official visit to Bangladesh, he met with the Bangladeshi PM and the Bangladeshi Naval Chief in a bid to resolve land and maritime boundary disputes between the two countries. In February 2012, he met again with the Bangladeshi Naval Chief in Naypyidaw.

Nyan Tun also played an important role towards strengthening military cooperation with India. In February 2010, during an official visit to Delhi, Nyan Tun met with Indian military officials and secured assistance to upgrade the regime’s Navy. In addition, in the same month, the regime’s Navy participated in India-led MILAN multinational joint naval exercises. Nyan Tun also sought military assistance from China. In mid 2010, he negotiated the purchase of two frigates from China’s Navy.

Under Nyan Tun, the regime’s Navy has been involved in human rights abuses in some coastal areas of Arakan State and Tenasserim Division. From December 2010 until mid-2011, Navy Unit No. 43 confiscated over 1,000 acres of land in Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division. Navy personnel were also responsible for extortion, forced labor, and land confiscation. In Kyaukpyu Township, Arakan State, the Danyawaddy Naval Regional Command confiscated about 400 acres of farmlands for the construction of a naval base.

Nyan Tun is married to Khin Aye Myint and has three children.