Royal Malaysian Air Force

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"RMAF" redirects here. For other uses, see RMAF (disambiguation).
Royal Malaysian Air Force
Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia
Crest of Royal Malaysian Air Force.svg
Crest of the Royal Malaysian Air Force
www.airforce.mil.my
Founded 2 June 1958[1]
Country  Malaysia
Allegiance Supreme Head of Malaysia
Branch Malaysian Armed Forces
Type Air force
Role Aerial defence and dominance of Malaysian territory
Size 15,000[2] active personnel
Motto Sentiasa di Angkasaraya (English : Always in the Airspace)
Colours Navy blue, Maya blue
        
March "Perwira di Angkasa" (Officers in the Skies)
Anniversaries 2 June 1958 (founded)
Engagements Malayan Emergency
Sarawak Communist Insurgency
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Communist Insurgency War
MV Bunga Laurel hijacking
Moro attacks on Sabah (2013 standoff)
MT Orkim Harmony hijacking
Commanders
Colonel-in-Chief Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang
Chief of Air Force General Roslan Saad RMAF
Insignia
Air Force Ensign Ensign of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.svg
Roundel & Fin Flash Roundel of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.svg Finflash.svg
Aircraft flown
Fighter Sukhoi Su-30MKM, F/A-18D, MiG-29
Helicopter EC 725, Alouette III, S-61 Sea King, Sikorsky S-70
Interceptor F-5E
Patrol Super King Air
Reconnaissance RF-5
Trainer BAE Hawk, MB-339, Pilatus PC-7
Transport C-130, CASA CN-235, 737,

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF; Malay: Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (TUDM)) was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan). However, its roots can be traced back to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force formations of the British Royal Air Force in then colonial British Malaya. Today, the Royal Malaysian Air Force operates a unique mix of modern American, European and Russian-made aircraft.

Early years

Labuan Air Base with CAC Sabre in 1965, today became the main airbase for East Malaysia.

The Malaysian air forces trace their lineage to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force formations of the Royal Air Force raised in 1934. They later transformed into the Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force and the Malaya Volunteer Air Force formed in 1940 and dissolved in 1942 during the height of the Japanese advance over Malaya. The latter was reestablished in 1950 in time for the Malayan Emergency and contributed very much to the war effort. On 2 June 1958, the MVAF finally became the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force, this date is celebrated as RMAF Day yearly.

On 25 October 1960, after the end of the Malayan Emergency, the British Royal Air Force handed over their first base in Malaya to the RFMAF, at Simpang Airport; it was established on 1 June 1941, in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur which was formerly part of Selangor and the national capital city.

The first aircraft for the fledgling air force was a Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer named "Lang Rajawali" by the then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. Several Malayans serving with the Royal Air Force transferred to the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force. The role played by TUDM was limited initially to communications and the support of ground operations against Communist insurgents during the Malayan Emergency. TUDM received its first combat aircraft with the delivery of 20 Canadair CL41G Tebuans (an armed version of the Canadair Tutor trainer). TUDM also received Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters, to be used in the liaison role.

A Twin Pioneer Mk.1 "Lang Rajawali" (FM1064 c/n:583) on display at the Malacca Transport Museum.

With the formation of the Malaysian Federation on 16 September 1963, the name of the force was changed to "Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia" or "Royal Malaysian Air Force". New types introduced into service included the Handley Page Herald transport and the De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou. TUDM received Sikorsky S-61A-4 helicopters in the late 16 and early seventies which were used in the transport role. TUDM gained an air defence capability when the Australian Government donated 10 ex-RAAF CAC Sabre fighters. These were based at the Butterworth Air Base.

After the withdrawal of British military forces from Malaysia and Singapore at the end of 1971, a five-nation agreement between Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom was concluded to ensure defence against external aggression. The Royal Australian Air Force maintained two Mirage IIIO squadrons at the Butterworth Air Base as part of its commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements. These squadrons were withdrawn in 1986, although occasional deployments of RAAF aircraft continue.

Modernisation

Sukhoi Su-30MKM seen from top and bottom

With the withdrawal of British military forces, TUDM underwent gradual modernisation from the 1970s to the 1990s. The Sabres were replaced by 16 Northrop F-5E Tiger-IIs. A reconnaissance capability was acquired with the purchase of two RF-5E Tigereye aircraft. TUDM also purchased 88 ex-US Navy Douglas A-4C Skyhawks, of which 40 of the airframes were converted/refurbished by Grumman Aircraft Engineering at Bethpage into the A-4PTM ('Peculiar To Malaysia'), configuration (similar to A-4M standard). TUDM has traditionally looked to the West for its purchases, primarily to the United States. However, limitations imposed by the US on "new technology" to the region, such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM fire-and-forget air-to-air missile, has made TUDM consider purchases from Russia and other non-traditional sources.

The '90s saw the arrival of first the BAE Hawk Mk108/208 which replaced the T/A-4PTMs, followed by the MiG-29N/NUB in 1995 in the air superiority role and delivery of the F/A-18D Hornet in 1997 to provide an all weather interdiction capability. In 2003 a contract was signed for eighteen Su-30MKMs for delivery in 2007 to fulfill a requirement for an initial order of multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA). A requirement for a further eighteen MRCAs remains unfulfilled. TUDM is also looking for an AWACS aircraft, although no firm orders have been placed.

On 8 December 2005 four Airbus Military A400M aircraft were ordered to enhance the airlift capability. The first Malaysian A400M is delivered in March 2015.[3][4] In late 2006, the Government signed a contract to purchase eight Aermacchi MB-339CMs to add to the eight MB-339AMs already in service.

In March 2007, then-Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak notified the public that the MiG-29s would continue in service until 2010. Later that year, Najib announced the Nuri (Sikorsky S-61A-4) helicopter, in service since 1968 with 89 crew members killed in 15 accidents, would be phased out by 2012 and replaced by the Eurocopter EC725.[5] Deputy RMAF Chief Lieutenant General Bashir Abu Bakar told the media after opening Heli-Asia 2007, that tender assessment for the replacement of the Sikorsky S-61A-4 would occur in early 2008.[6]

In late 2013 Vector Aerospace, a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, with its subsidiary, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America ("HS-NA"), one of the world’s leading providers of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services was chosen to carry out a comprehensive fully integrated glass cockpit installation for the S-61A-4 Nuri, breathing new life in an already well established platform, and giving a modern,reliable and cost effective product that will carry the S61A-4 Nuri well into the future.

In June 2009, RMAF chief General Azizan Ariffin said that the air force would replace their MiG-29s with aircraft that have better agility and the capability to attack enemy forces.[7]

At the 12th Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition 2010,[8] a Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed for 12 EC725 helicopters to be supplied to the RMAF.[9] With that, EADS, (the European Aeronautical Defence and Space Company), has pledged 100 million Euros to set up a comprehensive helicopter centre in Subang for an aeronautical academy, training, simulation and a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility for the EC725 Cougar military version and the EC225 civilian model.[10]

The Royal Malaysian Air Force currently has an MRCA replacement program to replace the MiG-29 and F-5 fighters that will be retired by the end of 2015. The MRCA replacement program is currently narrowed down to 4 types of aircraft (Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Saab JAS 39 Gripen). Under the program, the RMAF is looking to equip three squadrons with 36 to 40 new fighter aircraft with a budget of RM6 billion to RM8 billion (US$1.84 billion to US$2.46 billion).[11]

Airbases

Airbases of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Royal Malaysian Air Force and US Air Force participating in Cope Taufan 2014

List:

Organisation

  • 1st Division
    • 2 Squadron – Fokker F-28 Fellowship, Falcon 900, Global Express, Boeing BBJ (737–700), Subang AFB
    • 3 Squadron – S-61A4A Nuri, Butterworth AFB
    • 6 Squadron – BAE Hawk 108/Hawk 208, Kuantan AFB
    • 10 Squadron – Eurocopter EC-725, Kuantan AFB
RMAF personnel performing combat air rescue at Cope Taufan 2012
    • 11 Squadron – Su-30MKM Flanker, Gong Kedak AFB
    • 12 Squadron – Northrop F-5E/F, RF-5E, Butterworth AFB
    • 15 Squadron – BAE Hawk 108/208, Aermacchi MB-339CM, Butterworth AFB
    • 16 Squadron – Beech 200T, Subang AFB
    • 18 Squadron – Boeing F/A-18D Hornet, Butterworth AFB
    • 19 Squadron – MiG 29N/UB, Kuantan AFB
    • 20 Squadron – Lockheed C-130H Hercules, KC-130T Subang AFB
  • 2nd Division
    • 1 Squadron – CN-235-220M, Kuching AFB
    • 5 Squadron – S-61A4A, Nuri Labuan AFB
    • 7 Squadron – S-61A4A, Nuri Kuching AFB
    • 14 Squadron – Lockheed C-130H Hercules, Labuan AFB
  • Training Division
    • 1 FTC PC-7/PC-7 Mk II, Alor Setar AFB
    • 2 FTC Alouette III Alor, Setar AFB
    • 3 FTC MB-339CM, Kuantan AFB

Aircraft

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See also: List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces

Current inventory

Type Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
Northrop F-5E United States Jet Fighter / reconnaissance 6 [12]
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D Hornet United States Jet Multirole 8 [12]
British Aerospace Hawk 2008 United Kingdom Jet Attack 13 [12]
MiG-29 Russia Jet Multirole 10 [12]
Sukhoi Su-30MKM Russia Jet Multirole 18 [12]
Beechcraft Super King Air 200 United States Propeller maritime patrol 4 Maritime.[12]
Lockheed Martin KC-130H United States Propeller Transport 4 Aerial refueling tanker.[12]
Lockheed C-130 Hercules United States Propeller Transport 10 [12]
CASA C-295 Spain Propeller Transport 6 [12]
Airbus A400M Atlas Spain Propeller Transport 2[13] 4 on order[12][12]
Sikorsky S-70 United States Helicopter Transport 1 VIP. 4 additional aircraft being gifted from Brunei.[14][15]
EC 725 France Helicopter SAR / utility 12 [12]
Sikorsky S-61 United States Helicopter SAR / utility 27 Being replaced by the EC 725.[12][16]
Alouette II France Helicopter Utility 15 [12]
Northrop F-5F United States Jet Trainer 3 [12]
BAE Systems Hawk 108 United Kingdom Jet Trainer 6 [12]
Beechcraft Super King Air 350 United States Propeller Trainer 2 Multi-engined.[12]
MB-339 Italy Jet Trainer 8 [12]
Pilatus PC-7 MkII Switzerland Propeller Trainer 49 [12]
ScanEagle United States UAV Patrol 2 [17]
CTRM Eagle ARV Australia UAV Patrol 1 Developed from the Eagle 150.[17]

Gallery
A British Aerospace Hawk 200 
A AS-61 “Nuri” rescue helicopter 
A Sukhoi Su-30MKM over the South China Sea 

Ranks of the Royal Malaysian Air Force

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See also: Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces

Until the late 1970s, the Royal Malaysian Air Force used the same officer ranking system as the Royal Air Force. They were replaced by army-style designations and given Malay title equivalents, but the sleeve insignia remained the same mirroring the RAF practice, but all General Officers wear 1 to 5 stars on the shoulder board in addition to the existing sleeve insignia. The list of ranks which are currently used are shown below (in descending order). NCOs and enlisted ranks remained unchanged, and retain their pre-1970s names.

Equivalent NATO Code Pre 1970s Rank Current Rank
Flag Officers
OF-10 Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force

(Marsyal Tentera Udara Di Raja Malaysia)[18]
OF-9 Air Chief Marshal General, RMAF (Jeneral, TUDM)[19]
OF-8 Air Marshal Lieutenant General, RMAF (Leftenan Jeneral, TUDM)[20]
OF-7 Air Vice Marshal Major General, RMAF (Mejar Jeneral, TUDM)
OF-6 Air Commodore Brigadier General, RMAF (Brigedier Jeneral, TUDM)
Senior Officers
OF-5 Group Captain Colonel, RMAF (Kolonel, TUDM)
OF-4 Wing Commander Lieutenant Colonel, RMAF (Leftenan Kolonel, TUDM)
OF-3 Squadron Leader Major, RMAF (Mejar, TUDM)
Junior Officers
OF-2 Flight Lieutenant Captain, RMAF (Kapten, TUDM)
OF-1 Flying Officer Lieutenant, RMAF (Leftenan, TUDM)
OF-1 Pilot Officer Second Lieutenant, RMAF (Leftenan Muda, TUDM)
Cadets
Officer Cadet Officer Cadet (Pegawai Kadet)

All officers, with the exception of the Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force apply the Air Force acronym (RMAF, TUDM) to their rank title, to differentiate from their Malaysian Army equivalents. For example, a Colonel in the Air Force would be titled Colonel, RMAF or Kolonel, TUDM in Malay.

Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Enlisted personnel

Royal Malaysian Air Force Regiment

Two PASKAU officers on patrol at Langkawi Airport security gate during LIMA 2009

The RMAF Regiment is the ground and air defence support unit of the RMAF. It is composed of the various units of the regiment tasked to fulfill the RMAF's mission and vision. These units are:

  • PASKAU TUDM (Special Air Service, RMAF)
  • RMAF Provost Unit
  • RMAF Infantry
  • RMAF Ground Air Defence Artillery

Special Forces

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Main article: PASKAU

The special arm of the RMAF is known as PASKAU (a Malay acronym for Pasukan Khas Udara, which loosely means 'Special Air Service'), and is part of the RMAF Regiment. PASKAU was formed in response to a mortar attack by the then Communist Party of Malaya on a DHC-4 Caribou in the 1970s at the Kuala Lumpur Air Base.[21] During peacetime, the unit is tasked with responding to aircraft hijacking incidents as well as protecting the country's numerous RMAF airbases and civilian airports. Its wartime roles include ground designation, sabotaging of enemy air assets and equipment and the defence of RMAF aircraft and bases. This unit is also deployed for counter-terrorism duties as well as Urban warfare/Close quarters combat.

RMAF Provost Unit

This is the military police unit of the RMAF Regiment, mandated to provide military police duties in RMAF air bases.

Aerobatic team

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Main article: Kris Sakti

The Kris Sakti (English: Magic Dagger) is the recently founded aerobatic display team of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.It makes its debut on 2011 Langkawi International Maritime and Air Show on December 2011. They operated four Extra 300L aircraft.

Incidents

In May 2008, two J85-GE-21 engines that power the Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter jets belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force were reported missing, as of sometime in 2007, from an RMAF warehouse in Kuala Lumpur during Najib's tenure as Defence Minister in Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Cabinet. The jet engines belonged to the 12th Squadron (Scorpion) based in Butterworth. The issue became a matter of political dispute,[22] and it was reported a brigadier-general, 40 other armed forces personnel, had been sacked over the incident.[23] On 6 January 2010, two Malaysians, an Airman (Sergeant) and a civilian contractor, were charged in connection with the theft and disposal of both engines.[24] On 5 February 2010, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail revealed that the two missing engines had been found in Uruguay with the help of the government there and the Malaysian government is proceeding with the necessary measures to secure their return. Investigations showed that the engines were taken out of the RMAF base on 20 December 2007 and 1 January 2008, and sent to a warehouse in Subang Jaya before being shipped out of Malaysia to South America.[25][26]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Note: Originally founded as Malaysian Auxiliary Air force in 1936
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Malaysia: Military plane delivery delayed
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ International Tender For Nuri Replacement To Open Soon
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ http://www.dsaexhibition.com/dsa2010/index.php Archived 1 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ http://www.defenseworld.net/go/defensenews.jsp?id=4404 Archived 23 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ http://www.nst.com.my/articles/23eads/Article/[dead link]
  11. ↑ http://themalaysianreserve.com/main/news/corporate-malaysia/5597-three-fighter-jet-makers-to-submit-leasing-bids Archived 19 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 12.16 12.17 12.18 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 SIPRI
  18. ↑ This rank is only used by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
  19. ↑ The Chief of Defence Force and the Chief of the Air Force hold this four-star rank.
  20. ↑ This three-star rank is bestowed on the commanders of the various RMAF commands, and by the Vice Chief of the Air Force.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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