Over 10,000 troops join Myanmar Armed Forces Day parade

Over 10,000 troops marched on Sunday to commemorate Myanmar's 71st Armed Forces Day in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw.

Ranks, mobile rocket launchers and military transport vehicles joined the ceremonial parade by about 12,300 personnel from the navy, air force and army, and a marching column of women soldiers, EFE news reported.

In the air, Navy Seal soldiers descended from military helicopters by ropes, and a formation of fighter jets flew over the parade grounds, leaving in the sky trails of yellow, white and red smoke -- the colours of Myanmar's new national flag.

In the background at the Parade Ground towered the three enormous statues of former kings who founded the Myanmar kingdom.

Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's military General Min Aung Hlaing addressed the ceremo9nial parade and the gathering, lauding the Tatmadaw's (military) resistance to the Japanese invasion in the Second World War.

While he emphasised the importance of unity among the military, the government and the people, he acknowledged the reality of economic and political reforms in the country, and that the military must take the initiative in pursuing multi-party democracy.