Royal Malaysian Special Forces. Malaysian Armed Forces Special Service Group - Army Special Forces
The specifics of the military-political situation in Southeast Asia, characterized by the diversity of ethnic and religious composition of the population, as well as the strong positions of leftist radicals, forces many states in the region to pay significant attention to the creation, equipment and training of special forces units. The special forces of the island states of Southeast Asia - Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines - are considered the most serious in terms of training and combat experience. This is due to the fact that for many decades these states have had to wage war against partisan formations operating in wooded and mountainous areas on many islands. Nationalist separatist movements, Islamic fundamentalists and communist partisans are long-time opponents of the listed states and have been waging armed struggle against them since the mid-twentieth century. In the last article we talked about the special forces of Indonesia, and this time we will talk about the special forces of Malaysia.
The fight against partisans and the experience of the British SAS
Malaysia acquired political sovereignty in 1957 - first as the Federation of Malaya, which included the Malacca Peninsula, and in 1963, the provinces of Sabah and Sarawak located on the island of Kalimantan became part of the Federation of Malaysia. Since the first post-war years, since the second half of the 1940s. The authorities of British Malaya faced an armed struggle led by the Communist Party of Malaya.
The Malayan War was one of the first post-war colonial conflicts of the British Empire, in which the British had to face a developed guerrilla movement and, accordingly, gradually develop special combat tactics. Subsequently, it was the experience of the Malayan War that began to be used by the British in other colonies. The presence of a guerrilla movement in the jungles of Malacca very soon identified the need for the authorities of British Malaya to create special units that could effectively hunt down and destroy partisan detachments.
Late 1940s - 1950s The fighting against the Malayan communist partisans was carried out by units of troops from the countries of the British Commonwealth. In addition to British soldiers, Australians, New Zealanders, and Rhodesians visited the Malacca jungle. It was the Malayan War that forced the British military leadership to abandon plans to disband the famous SAS - Special Air Service, which were hatched after the end of the Second World War. SAS fighters were tasked with spending a long time (up to four months) in the Malayan jungle. During this time, it was planned not only to search for and destroy partisans, but also to establish connections with the local population, gain the sympathy of the “forest tribes” and use the natives in confronting communist partisans. The unit operating in Malaya was called the “Malayan Scouts”, or 22nd SAS. It included not only recruited British soldiers, but also Rhodesians, New Zealanders, Australians and Fijians.
In addition to the SAS, the famous “Gurkhas” - Nepalese riflemen who served in the British army - actively fought in the jungles of Malaya. Sarawak Rangers were also used against communist partisans - a special unit whose roots go back to the mid-19th century - it was then that the Englishman James Brooke, who became the “White Rajah” of Sarawak, in the north of the island of Kalimantan, created this elite unit from the local aborigines - the Dayaks. After Sarawak became part of Malaysia, the Sarawak Rangers became the basis of the Royal Ranger Regiment of the Malaysian Army. The personnel of this unit are still recruited mainly from Ibans - representatives of the largest Dayak tribe in Kalimantan, inhabiting the Malaysian province of Sarawak.
When Malaysia gained political sovereignty, the country's leadership had to independently solve the problems of pacifying the rebels operating in the Malayan jungle. Moreover, soon after the Kalimantan provinces of Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaysia, neighboring Indonesia began subversive activities against the country. Indonesian President Sukarno disputed Malaysia's rights to Sabah and Sarawak, considering these provinces to be the historical territory of the Indonesian state, since they were located on the island of Kalimantan, most of which became part of Indonesia. Sukarno began to act against Malaysia with the help of communist guerrilla units that collaborated with the Communist Party of Malaya.
Special Service Group - Army Special Forces
The Directorate of Special Forces was created within the Malaysian Ministry of Defense. In 1965, at the height of the confrontation with Indonesia, the Malaysian command began recruiting volunteers from the ground forces and navy to undergo commando training. There were 300 military personnel wishing to join the special forces. On February 25, 1965, selection training began at the camp in Johor Bahru. The training course was conducted by specialists from the British Royal Marines. A rigorous selection process eliminated the vast majority of candidates, leaving 15 people who had to undergo a six-week course in basic commando training. However, of these 15 best, only 13 people completed the training course - 4 officers and 9 sergeants and corporals. Even a list of Malaysian special forces of the first set has been preserved. These are Lieutenant Colonel Shahrul Nizam bin Ismail (retired as a general), Major Abu Hasan bin Abdullah (retired as a colonel), Lieutenants Mohammad Ramil bin Ismail (later promoted to the rank of major general), Ghaazli bin Ibrahim (also retired general). major) and Hussin bin Awang Senik (retired as a colonel), Staff Sergeant Zakaria bin Adas, Sergeants Anuar bin Talib, Ariffin bin Mohamad, Yahya bin Darus, Corporals Silva Dorai and Mu Ki Fa, Corporals Johari bin Haji Mord Sirai and Sabri bin Ahmad. Thus began the Special Service Groups - Grup Gerak Khas - the special forces of the Malaysian army.
Relying on the help of British instructors from the Royal Marines, already in 1965, the composition of the Special Service Group was expanded and the young special forces conducted 6 more basic courses. On August 1, 1970, the 1st Special Service Regiment was formed in Sungai Udang - on the territory of Malacca. In January 1981, the headquarters of the Special Service Group was established at Camp Imphal in Kuala Lumpur. By this time, in addition to the headquarters, the Group, similar in size to the brigade, included three special service regiments, as well as combat and logistics support units. Combat training of Malaysian special forces was carried out jointly with commando units of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
On August 1, 1976, the Special Military Training Center (Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus) was formed, which provides combat training for military personnel of the Special Service Group in the following areas: basic training of Malaysian Army, Air Force and Navy commandos, training of special operations forces personnel in accordance with the requirements the country's leadership, improving the qualifications of special operations forces, testing special forces soldiers, providing qualified instructors for special forces units. During training at the training center, military personnel of the Special Service Group undergo the following stages of training.
The first five-week training course plays the greatest significance in determining the individual physical and psychological state of the fighters. At this stage, the main emphasis is on strengthening physical endurance, improving the handling of explosives, acquiring skills in medicine, topography, mountaineering and rock climbing, and special forces tactics. Soldiers must complete several forced marches with full combat equipment for 4.8 km, 8 km, 11.2 km, 14 km and 16 km. This stage usually ends with the elimination of several cadets who do not complete the designated distance in time.
The next two-week training course involves preparation for combat operations in the jungle and includes the acquisition of skills for survival in the jungle, guarding and patrolling the jungle, setting up a military camp in a wooded area, and conducting combat operations. Next, the special forces soldiers move on to the next stage of training, where they will be forced into a combat march in full gear. Three days are given to cover 160 km. The cadets who managed to cover this distance within the appointed time must live in a swampy area for seven days without food or even uniforms, wearing only underwear. Thus, the emphasis is on learning about survival practices in swampy areas. Those who fail to complete the task are eliminated from the special forces.
Next, the cadets will be trained to operate at sea. Over the course of two weeks, future special forces are taught the basics of small vessel navigation, kayaking, landing on shore, and scuba diving. The final test at this stage of training is to kayak a distance of 160 km along the Strait of Malaya. The fifth stage of training includes completing tasks to establish contact with “agents” and avoid meeting with a simulated enemy. If caught, the cadets will face torture and ill-treatment. The special forces are tasked with continuing the journey to the designated checkpoint, after which the test can be considered completed.
The Special Service Group includes three Special Service regiments. The 11th Special Service Regiment is sometimes also called the Counter-Terrorism Regiment. Its competence includes the fight against terrorism, including the release of hostages and conducting anti-terrorist operations, including the fight against revolutionary rebels. The regiment was trained by specialists - instructors from the 22nd British SAS and American Green Berets. Within the Special Service Group, the counter-terrorism regiment is considered elite. It is smaller than the other two regiments in size and includes 4 squadrons. But only those commandos who have served for at least 6 years in other special service regiments can get into anti-terrorism service.
The 21st Commando Regiment and the 22nd Commando Regiment are also called Counter-Insurgency. They specialize in methods of unconventional warfare - guerrilla and counter-guerrilla operations, conducting special reconnaissance, and carrying out sabotage actions. Here the greatest emphasis is placed on preparation for action in the jungle. The 22nd Commando Regiment was established on 1 January 1977 at Sungai Udang Camp in Malacca. On 1 April 1981, the 11th and 12th Special Service Regiments were formed to support the 21st and 22nd Commando Regiments. However, the 12th Regiment was cut short.
The Malaysian Special Service Group reports to the armed forces headquarters and the country's ground forces headquarters. The group is commanded by Brigadier General Dato' Abdu Samad bin Haji Yaqub. The honorary chief is the Sultan of Johor. Currently, one of the serious problems of the special forces is the departure of many old soldiers from service and the associated personnel shortage. To prevent layoffs and attract new recruits, the military command in 2005 decided to increase the salaries of military personnel depending on length of service - at the expense of the so-called. incentive payments.
Military personnel of the Special Service Group wear a military uniform of the standard standard for the Malaysian ground forces, but differ from military personnel of other units in their headdress - a green beret with the emblem of the special service. The Malaysian Army Special Forces insignia features a dagger in front of the face of a roaring tiger. The color background of the emblem is obliquely blue and green. The green color symbolizes the unit's affiliation with the commando forces, and the blue color symbolizes the special service's historical connection with the Royal Marines of Great Britain. The tiger signifies ferocity and power, and the drawn dagger is a symbol of the commando's fighting spirit, as it acts as a mandatory item of equipment for any Malaysian commando. Special Service personnel also wear a blue lanyard to symbolize their connection to the Royal Marines. On the left pocket, those special forces who have parachute training also wear an image of wings.
The combat path of the special service over the half-century of its existence includes numerous episodes of participation in hostilities - both on the territory of Malaysia and abroad. From 1966 to 1990, for 24 years, commandos took an active part in countering the communist guerrilla movement in the jungles of Malaysia. As a matter of fact, army special forces units were initially created for this purpose. In 1993, Malaysian Special Forces, along with Pakistani Army units, took part in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia, where one Special Forces soldier was killed and several others were wounded. In 1998, Army Special Forces provided security for the 16th Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, working alongside police Special Forces units. Malaysian special forces became the only commando unit from Southeast Asia to take part in the peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2006, Special Forces soldiers, together with the 10th Airborne Brigade and police special forces, participated in the pacification of East Timor. Malaysian special forces also participated in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon - in 2007, in Afghanistan - to assist the New Zealand military contingent in Bamiyan. In 2013, in Sabah province, army special forces took part in the search and elimination of a terrorist group.
Special Air Service
Like Indonesia, in Malaysia each branch of the armed forces has its own special forces. The Malaysian Air Force includes Pasukan Khas Udara, or PASKAU - Air Force Special Air Service). This unit is used for counter-terrorism activities and special operations by the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The immediate tasks of aviation special forces include search and rescue operations, adjustment of aircraft fire and the fight against terrorism and insurgency.
The history of aviation special forces, like the special forces of the ground forces, goes back to the period of confrontation between Malaysian government troops and the partisans of the Communist Party of Malaya. After Communist Party militants fired mortars at an air base, resulting in the destruction of a Royal Air Force transport plane, the air force command issued a directive to create a new special unit to ensure the security of air bases. On April 1, 1980, a new unit was created, and British instructors from the SAS began training it. By March 1, 1987, 11 Malaysian aviation special forces squadrons had been created. It was originally called Pasukan Pertahanan Darat dan Udara (HANDAU) - Air and Ground Defense Forces, and on June 1, 1993 it received its modern name PASKAU.
In fact, PASKAU exists as a regiment of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It consists of three main types of squadrons. The first are anti-terrorist squadrons. They specialize in the fight against terrorism, the release of hostages and the destruction of terrorists, and air operations to free hostages. Such a squadron consists of groups of six fighters each - a shooter, a sniper, a communications expert, an explosives technician, and a medic. The second - air combat search and rescue squadrons are used to carry out rescue operations behind enemy lines. Their task is to find and rescue downed Royal Air Force aircraft crews and their passengers as quickly as possible. Finally, the third type of squadrons - for the protection of air bases - performs tasks for the defense of air bases, as well as the defense of radar stations and air defense bases. Finally, their tasks include adjusting aircraft fire.
The training of Malaysian aviation special forces is carried out at a high level. Over the course of twelve weeks, the commandos undergo test missions. The tests include forced marches of 160 km. non-stop, mountaineering, boat travel, jungle survival, sniper shooting, hand-to-hand combat. The main emphasis in the training of aviation special forces is on training to free hostages and prevent the hijacking of civil and military aircraft. Upon successful completion of training and testing, officers, sergeants and enlisted personnel are authorized to wear the blue beret and commando dagger.
Throughout the history of its existence, PASKAU has repeatedly taken part in search and rescue operations. In 2013, aviation special forces units, together with other military and police forces, participated in the operation against terrorists in Sulu. Forty service members of the unit participated in the peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan, and Malaysian aviation special forces also took part in the peacekeeping operation in Lebanon. The Special Air Service reports to the headquarters of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The commander of the Special Aviation Service Regiment is Colonel Haji Nazri bin Daskhah, and the honorary chief is General Dato' Rodzali bin Daoud.
Marine special forces - guarding Malayan oil
In 1975, the command of the Malaysian Navy also felt the need to create its own special forces. It was decided to recruit volunteers from among the officers and sailors of the Navy for the purpose of their further training in special commando programs. Thus began the history of the Royal Malaysian Navy Special Naval Force - Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL). This unit was tasked with conducting small naval operations in rivers, seas, deltas, coastlines or marshy areas. In general, the focus of this special unit also had much in common with the army and aviation special forces - among the main tasks were counter-guerrilla warfare, the fight against terrorism, the protection of protected persons, and the release of hostages. Initially, PASKAL was tasked with protecting Malaysian naval bases.
In 1977, the first batch of thirty officers, commanded by Captain Sutarji bin Kasmin (now a retired admiral), was sent to Kota Pahlawan, a naval base in Surabaya (Indonesia). By this time, relations between Malaysia and Indonesia had long since normalized and the countries had become important strategic partners in matters of defense and security. In Indonesia, Malaysian naval special forces began training under the guidance of instructors from KOPASKA, a similar special forces unit of the Indonesian Navy. Later, special forces officers were also sent to Portsmouth for training at the British Royal Marines base, and to California for training at the US Navy special forces base. In Coronado, at the US Navy base, special forces were trained under the leadership of Lieutenant Commander (Captain 2nd Rank) Ahmad Ramli Kardi.
In April 1980, Malaysia announced that its exclusive economic zone would extend to 200 nautical miles from the coast. Accordingly, the Malaysian Navy was tasked with ensuring the inviolability of the country's territorial waters. Accordingly, from October 1, 1982, PASKAL began to be applied within the exclusive economic zone of Malaysia. The special forces were tasked with the defense of more than thirty oil rigs in Malaysian territorial waters. Their security is the exclusive responsibility of PASKAL and the regiment regularly conducts exercises to practice actions in the event of an attack on oil rigs or attempts to steal oil.
A candidate for service in the PASKAL unit must meet the requirements for a Naval Special Forces fighter. He must not be older than 30 years. For three months, recruits undergo a standard training course and tests. After completing them, recruits who have successfully completed the first stage of training are sent to a special military training center in Sungai Udang, where they undergo airborne training, as well as special courses in specializations - medicine, explosives, communications, electrical engineering. Every three months, special forces soldiers undergo a medical examination. Tests for enrollment in PASKAL include the following standards: running 7.8 km in 24 minutes, swimming 1.5 km for no more than 25 minutes, swimming 6.4 km in the open sea with full gear - 120 each minutes, freestyle swimming 1.5 km in 31 minutes, staying on the water with tied arms and legs, diving 7 m deep without special apparatus. Naval special forces soldiers are regularly sent for training and advanced training to the bases of the British SAS, US Navy special forces, and Australian submariners. Soldiers receive mountaineering training in France, and sniper training in Australia.
The training of special forces soldiers of the Malaysian Navy includes studying the specifics of warfare in the jungle, including sabotage and guerrilla methods, and searching for rebels. Survival in the jungle after airborne landings, and the creation of bridgeheads in wooded areas are also being studied. Emphasis is placed on training in oil platform defense operations. Methods of warfare in urban conditions, mining and demining, working with explosives, and a military medical training course are studied. Much attention is paid to physical training, including the study of martial arts. The hand-to-hand combat training program in the special forces is based on the traditional Malay martial art of silat and Korean martial arts, primarily taekwondo. Each special forces soldier must also have training in a foreign language - to collect information and communicate with fighters from units of friendly states.
Overall command of the special forces is exercised by the headquarters of the Royal Malaysian Navy. The immediate commander of the unit is Vice Admiral Dato' Saifuddin bin Kamaruddin. The head of the unit is Admiral Professor Dr. Haji Mohd Sutarji bin Kasmin. Currently, PASKAL is a naval special forces regiment, the exact strength and structure of which is classified. However, experts estimate the strength of the unit at approximately 1,000 troops, which are divided into two units - the first unit based at the Lumut base in Perak state, and the second unit based at the Sri Seporn base in Sabah. The PASKAL detachment is also based at Teluk Sepanggar, a naval base in Sabah.
The regiment consists of several squadrons, each of which includes at least four companies. The smallest unit - the "war boat" - includes seven fighters. Each PASKAL company consists of four platoons, organized like the American Green Berets. Alpha Platoon is a versatile special operations group used for counter-terrorism and emergency rescue operations. Bravo Platoon includes a dive team and a dedicated air operations team whose mission is to infiltrate enemy territory to gather intelligence. Charlie Platoon is a support team. Delta Platoon is an amphibious sniper team.
Each division of the regiment includes specialists of various profiles, selected to perform tasks in a specific region. As for PASKAL weapons, they are even superior in cost and modernity to army and aviation special forces. This is explained by the fact that Malaysian oil companies play a significant role in financing naval special forces. The bosses of the Malaysian oil business spare no expense in purchasing weapons and paying for the training of special forces who protect oil rigs. Another source of cash income is sponsorship from shipping companies. Thanks to private funding, the special forces of the Malaysian Navy are the most well-equipped among other special forces in the country - both in terms of small arms, communications and surveillance equipment, diving, and vehicles.
Currently, PASKAL units play one of the most important roles in ensuring the safety of navigation in the Indian Ocean. Malaysian naval special forces regularly take part in operations against Somali pirates. Thus, on December 18, 2008, PASKAL fighters took part in the liberation of a Chinese ship in the Gulf of Aden. On January 1, 2009, PASKAL took part in confronting Somali pirates who attacked an Indian tanker carrying oil in the Gulf of Aden. In January 2011, PASKAL foiled an attempted hijacking of a tanker loaded with chemical products by Somali pirates. In addition to security operations in the Indian Ocean, Malaysian Navy special forces personnel took part in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. In 2013, members of the unit took part in combat operations against South Philippine rebels.
On guard of law and order
Finally, Malaysian law enforcement agencies also have their own special forces. First of all, this is Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK) - the Special Operations Command of the Malaysian Federal Police. The history of police special forces also goes back to the era of confrontation between communist partisans and the government. In 1969, with the help of the British 22nd SAS, the special unit VAT 69 was created - a small detachment that was supposed to fight the partisans of the Communist Party of Malaya. Of the 1,600 police officers and sergeants, 60 people were selected to serve in the regiment and began training in the British SAS commando course. Only thirty police officers from the 60 initially selected candidates managed to complete all the tests and training and form the core of VAT 69.
The unit began its first operations in 1970, after the completion of combat training of its fighters. For a long time, the detachment acted against the People's Liberation Army of Malaya, the paramilitary wing of the Communist Party. Also, police special forces acted against communist-sympathizing detachments of “forest dwellers” - representatives of the Senoi people who lived in the jungles of Malacca. In 1977, three new police special forces squadrons were created, trained by New Zealand SAS instructors. By 1980, VAT 69 was fully staffed with both fighters and its own support department.
On January 1, 1975, Unit Tindakan Khas (UTK) was created. It took part in the operation against the Japanese Red Army, whose militants took approximately 50 hostages on August 5, 1975 - employees of the American consulate and the Swedish chargé d'affaires. This unit was also trained according to British SAS methods. Only twenty out of more than one hundred candidates are selected for service in UTK. On 20 October 1997, the Royal Malaysian Police was reorganized. VAT 69 and UTK were merged into the Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK), reporting directly to the country's Prime Minister and the Inspector General of Police. Police special forces are tasked with carrying out anti-terrorist operations together with special units of the armed forces, fighting crime, maintaining law and order (in Malaysia and in foreign countries - as part of special missions), search and rescue operations, ensuring the safety of representatives of the Malaysian leadership and other high-ranking officials. persons
The distinctive insignia of the Malaysian police special forces are sand and burgundy berets and an emblem - curved daggers on a black background. The black color on the police special forces emblem symbolizes the secrecy of operations, red - courage, yellow - loyalty to the King of Malaysia and the country.
The police special forces are based at the Royal Malaysian Police headquarters in Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur. Direct command of the unit is exercised by the director of the Department of Internal and Public Security, to whom the unit commander with the rank of senior assistant commissioner and the rank of deputy director of the department reports. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, Malaysian police special forces began to focus on anti-terrorism operations. Small patrol groups of police special forces were created, each of which has 6-10 operational officers. The patrol group is led by a police inspector and includes snipers, sappers, communications specialists and field medics.
In addition to this special unit, the Royal Malaysian Police includes Unit Gempur Marin (UNGERIN) - Marine Assault Group. It was created in 2007 to carry out anti-terrorism operations at sea and combat piracy. The unit is trained in the United States, and in Malaysia it is based in Kampung Aceh in the state of Perak and is used, most often, to maintain law and order on the northern coast of Kalimantan - in Sabah and Sarawak.
In addition to the Royal Malaysian Police, a number of Malaysian intelligence services and law enforcement agencies have their own special forces. The Malaysian Prisons Department has its own special forces. This is Trup Tindakan Cepat (TTC) - a small special unit whose tasks include the release of hostages taken by prisoners in prisons and the elimination of prison riots. The best and most trained employees under the age of 35, who are able to cope with physical and psychological stress, are selected to serve in this unit. In 2014, its own division, Grup Taktikal Khas (GTK), was created under the Malaysian Immigration Department. Its tasks include combating illegal migration. The Malaysian Maritime Law Enforcement Agency has its own special unit - Pasukan Tindakan Khas dan Penyelamat Maritim - Special Purpose and Rescue Team. This unit specializes in search and rescue operations, combating piracy and terrorism at sea. The detachment’s tasks also include the delivery of valuable cargo and documents from wrecked Malaysian ships. The profile of this special unit implies close cooperation with the special forces of the Malaysian Navy - both in solving combat missions and in the process of training personnel.
Angkatan Tentera Malaysia Malaysian Armed Forces |
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Emblem of the Malaysian Armed Forces |
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A country | Malaysia |
Subordination | Malaysian Ministry of Defense |
Type | Armed forces |
Website | mafhq.mil.my |
Flag of the Malaysian Armed Forces
Story
The first Malay military units appeared at the beginning of the 20th century during the period of British colonial rule. On 23 January 1933, the Federal Council of United Malayan States decreed the creation of the first Malayan Rifles Regiment. On March 1, 1933, the first training company was formed from 25 volunteers, the commander was British Major Mcl S. Bruce from the Lincolnshire Regiment. By January 1, 1935, the strength of the training company of the Malay Regiment was 150 recruits.
The Malay Regiment received its first baptism of fire on February 14, 1942 in the defense of the Opium Hills against the Japanese army.
General information
Malaysian Armed Forces | |
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Types of armed forces: | Malaysian Ground Forces (Malaysian Army) (Malay. Tentera Darat Malaysia); Royal Malaysian Navy (Malaysian) Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM); Royal Malaysian Air Force (Malaysian) Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) |
Conscription age and recruitment procedure: | The Malaysian armed forces are staffed by volunteers who have reached the age of 18. |
Human resources available for military service: | men aged 16-49: 7,501,518 women aged 16-49: 7,315,999 (2010 estimate) |
Human resources suitable for military service: | men aged 16-49: 6,247,306 women aged 16-49: 6,175,274 (2010 estimate) |
Human resources reaching military age annually: | men: 265,008 women: 254,812 (2010 estimate) |
Military expenditures - percentage of GDP: | 2.03% (2005 estimate), 69th place in the world |
Composition of the armed forces
Ground troops
The Malaysian ground forces, consisting of 17 corps, are divided into 4 districts, 3 of which are located on the mainland and the 4th in East Malaysia. Special Forces units, the 10th Parachute Brigade and Army Aviation are independent units and report directly to the commander.
Military ranks of the Ground Forces
Military ranks are similar to the British ones, consisting of 17 ranks.
Officers
The officer corps consists of 3 levels:
Senior officers
- Lieutenant Colonel ( Leftenan Kolonel)
- Colonel ( Kolonel)
- Brigadier General ( Brigedier General)
- Major General ( Mejar General)
- Lieutenant General ( Leftenan General)
- General ( General)
- Recruit ( Rekrut)
- Private ( Prebet)
Air Force
see also
- Military ranks in the Malaysian Armed Forces (Malay)
Notes
Links
- Official page of the Ministry of Defense of Malaysia (Malaysian)
- Official page of the General Staff of the Malaysian Armed Forces (Malay)
“Bofors” (full name Bofors 40 mm Luftvärnsautomatkanon, abbreviated Lvakan 40/60 or L/60, from Swedish - “40-mm anti-aircraft automatic gun [army mobile, with a barrel length of 60 calibers] brand "Bofors" - military indices varied depending on the specific modification and the operating country) - an automatic 40 mm anti-aircraft gun, developed in 1929-1932 by the Swedish company AB Bofors. The most common and used air defense system of the Second World War, actively used by both warring sides, both in land and ship versions with numerous modifications (casemate, towed, self-propelled armored and unarmored, railway, airborne, etc.). As of 1939 (at the start of hostilities in Europe), Swedish manufacturers exported Bofors to 18 countries and entered into licensing agreements with 10 more countries. The production of guns was carried out by the military industry of the Axis countries and allies of the Anti-Hitler coalition. The 40-mm Bofors gun was in service in many countries around the world. Its further development was the Bofors L70 gun. Bofors L60 is often referred to simply as "Bofors".
HK33The HK33 is a German assault rifle developed by Heckler & Koch based on the HK G3 automatic rifle. The main differences between the HK33 and the G3 were its smaller caliber, weight and dimensions. The mechanics of the weapon have not undergone any changes.
It is possible to install various USM modules, both with and without queue cut-off. The receiver is stamped. A 40-mm grenade launcher and a bayonet can be installed, and it is also possible to throw rifle grenades from the barrel (except for shortened versions).
The license for the production of HK33 was sold to the Turkish company MKEK, which began producing the machine gun for the Turkish army in 1999.
M240M240 (FN MAG) (United States Machine Gun, 7.62mm, M240) - a single machine gun, a modification of the Belgian FN MAG, adopted by the US Army and Marine Corps, also used in equipping the Chinese Jaguar tank. It is an automatic weapon, built according to a gas-powered automatic weapon with a locked barrel. The M240 has been used by the United States military since the late 1970s. It is widely used by infantry, most often by rifle companies, and is also installed on ground vehicles, boats and helicopters.
Naval Special Warfare ForcesNaval Special Warfare Force (Malay: Pasukan Khas Laut), abbreviated as PASKAL) is a special unit of the Malaysian Navy.
PASKAL's mission is to carry out small-scale combat operations at sea that occur and return to the river, ocean, swamp, delta or coastline. PASKAL also carries out operations designed to conduct operational and strategic reconnaissance at sea and in the coastal zone, conduct special reconnaissance and sabotage activities, combat terrorism and maritime piracy, guerrilla warfare, counter-guerrilla warfare, jungle warfare, counter-terrorism, close defense, hostage rescue and external internal defense.
Although PASKAL was created as a maritime counter-terrorism unit, it has become a multi-functional special operations unit with roles including high-risk intelligence operations, special and sabotage operations, search and rescue operations and other missions.
PASCAL is an all-encompassing force formally established on 1 October 1980 after a five-year adjustment period to ensure compliance with the maritime requirements of Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone through sea, air and land operations.
Royal Malaysian Air ForceThe Royal Malaysian Air Force (Malaysian: Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia) is one of the branches of the Malaysian armed forces.
Royal Malaysian NavyThe Royal Malaysian Maritime Force (Malay: Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia) is one of the branches of the Malaysian armed forces.
Non-conscripted armed forcesNon-conscription armed forces (voluntary armed forces) are armed forces formed on a voluntary basis, without the use of the institution of military conscription, or (in a number of countries) with its partial use. Recruitment into the troops is carried out with the signing of a contract with the future military personnel with an offer of adequate wages, future benefits at the end of the contract and other incentives. At the same time, quite a large number of countries leave the possibility of conscription in emergency conditions.
In recent decades, due to changes in geopolitics, the number of countries that have abandoned peacetime conscription has increased significantly.
Malaysia
Story
The first Malay military units appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century during the period of British colonial rule. On 23 January 1933, the Federal Council of United Malayan States decreed the creation of the first Malayan Rifles Regiment. On March 1, 1933, the first training company was formed from 25 volunteers, the commander was British Major Mcl S. Bruce from the Lincolnshire Regiment. By January 1, 1935, the strength of the training company of the Malay Regiment was 150 recruits. On January 1, 1938, the first battalion was formed, and in December 1941 - the 2nd battalion. The Malay Regiment received its first baptism of fire on February 14, 1942 in the defense of the Opium Hills against the Japanese army. September 1, 1952, the Federal Intelligence Unit was created; December 8, 1986, the final formation of the Royal Land Forces
The Armed Forces of Moldova consist of ground forces, air force, and navy. The Supreme Commander is the supreme ruler. The leadership of the army is carried out by the Minister of Defense through the headquarters of the armed forces. The army is recruited by hiring volunteers. Command personnel are trained in military schools, as well as in the USA and Great Britain. The total number of armed forces (1972) is about 50 thousand people. In addition, there are territorial and police formations (about 50 thousand people). The ground forces (about 43 thousand people) consist of infantry brigades, separate regiments and special troops, the Air Force (about 4 thousand people), and have about 30 combat and 60 auxiliary aircraft and helicopters. The Navy (about 3 thousand people) has about 35 patrol and other ships.Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces
Supreme Commander the highest ranking office in the Malaysian military command structure. The office dates to the 1957 creation of the Malay Federation. What is the current role, responsibilities and powers that are regulated by the Malaysian constitution and the country's federal military forces. The Malaysian Constitution stipulates that the office of the Supreme Commander is attached to the person of the Federal Head of State.
Malaysian Armed Forces Council A Malaysian military body established under Article 137 of the Constitution of Malaysia and a constitutional body responsible (under the general authority of the King as Commander-in-Chief) for the command, discipline and administration of the Malaysian Armed Forces. It is composed of the following members;- Minister of Defense.
- One member appointed by the Conference of Rulers.
- The leader of a state's country's armed forces who is appointed by the King of Malaysia.
- UN Secretary General of Defense.
- 2 officers of the administrative staff of the armed forces of the federating country, appointed by the king.
- A senior member of the federation navy, appointed by the king.
- A senior member of the Federation Air Force, appointed by the King.
- Up to 2 other members appointed by the king.
September 16 is Malaysian Armed Forces Day. The Malaysians trace the history of their creation back to 1933, when 25 young Malays received initial military training under the guidance of English instructors in Port Dickson. In the same year, the first Malayan infantry regiment was formed as part of the British colonial ground forces.
By the time the Federation of Malaysia was proclaimed in 1963, the total strength of the country's armed forces had reached 22 thousand people. Of these, the ground forces (seven infantry battalions of the Royal Malay Regiment, three infantry brigades, two artillery regiments, a reconnaissance regiment) accounted for 19 thousand military personnel, the navy (three minesweepers, 10 maritime patrol vessels with a displacement of less than 100 tons) -2 thousand. The Air Force included 14 training and transport aircraft.
Military - Naval forces. The history of their creation, as well as the ground forces, dates back to the country's colonial past. In 1939 (at the beginning of the Second World War), the British command for the first time recruited representatives of the Malay population into service in order to strengthen its own Navy. In 1957, when the independence of the Federation of Malaya was proclaimed, units of the Malayan naval forces located in Singapore were transferred to Federation territory. With the creation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, they received the name of the Royal Navy.
Command and control of the Malaysian Navy is exercised by the Chief of Naval Staff, whose residence is at the Ministry of Defense in Kuala Lumpur. Two other headquarters are subordinate to him. One of them is in Singapore, the other is in Labuan (East Malaysia). Until the completion of the construction of the naval base in Lumut (Perak state), the main naval base of Malaysia continues to be the base in Woodlands (Singapore).
The Air Force is the youngest branch of the country's armed forces. The history of their creation dates back to 1958, when the first Malayan unit of 12 people was created as part of the British Air Force, which had at its disposal 2 training aircraft. The development of this type of armed forces in the 70s proceeded at a fairly rapid pace. By the beginning of 1976, the personnel of the Royal Malaysian Air Force numbered 5,300 people, and the aircraft fleet numbered 200 units, a significant part of which was transport aviation.
Since the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the importance of air communications and transport aviation has continuously increased. This is largely due to the fact that the states of Sabah and Sarawak are separated from West Malaysia by about 750 km.
The recruitment system of the Malaysian army is carried out by recruiting volunteers aged 18 to 45 years. In building its armed forces, Malaysia adopted the experience and structure of military command, as well as the organizational forms of military formations and units of Great Britain. To this day, there are quite close military contacts between Malaysia and England, carried out, in particular, within the framework of the five-party military-political agreement ANZUC.
By the early 1980s, Malaysia had developed new plans to increase the size of this branch of the armed forces, including paramilitary forces and the volunteer reserve, or territorial army, to modernize and change the organizational structure of the ground forces.
Military exercises called Gonzales IV (mid-1980) were important in the plans for the reorganization of the ground forces. Conducted on an unprecedented scale (with the participation of 50 thousand troops), they showed that the Malaysian army was making a transition from the ability to conduct short-term operations (mainly in the jungle against rebel groups) to the ability to conduct long-term and large-scale military operations.
According to the constitution, the Supreme Ruler is the Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces. In practice, the general leadership and management of the armed forces is carried out by the National Security Council (NSC), created in 1971. The Council makes decisions on the most important issues of military strategy and security of the country, as well as coordination of the actions of the armed forces. The Chairman of the National Security Council is the head of the executive branch - the Prime Minister. The latter is accountable to Parliament, which, in accordance with the constitution, has the right to declare war, finalize the size and composition of the Malaysian armed forces, and approve annual allocations for their development.
The monthly meetings of the NSC are attended by the Deputy Prime Minister (who serves as the Minister of Home Affairs), the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Information, the Chief of the Armed Forces and the Inspector General of Police. The armed forces and police are also represented in security councils at the state and district levels.
The Malaysian government began to pay increased attention to the development of the Navy in the second half of the 70s. By the beginning of the 80s, the Malaysian Navy numbered 7 thousand people and was capable of conducting independent combat operations. In 1983, the number of Navy personnel was increased to 9 thousand people. An increasingly important role is being played by naval forces in repelling the threat of attack from outside. With the introduction of a 200-mile economic zone, the patrol functions of the Navy expanded.
The functions of the coast guard were assigned to the maritime police, for which by 1981 5 new marine berths were built. In addition to the main naval base in Lumut, the construction of new bases and the modernization of old ones are being accelerated. Among them are naval bases in Port Kelang, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Labuan Island (East Malaysia).
From the known facts:
The first ordered Su-30MKM fighters have arrived in Malaysia, ITAR-TASS reports.
Two fighters were delivered from Irkutsk to the Kong-Kedak airbase on board an An-124-100 aircraft of the Volga-Dnepr company. After assembly and technical inspection, the machines will be handed over to the customer. The remaining aircraft from the 18 ordered are planned to be delivered in the fall of 2007 or early 2008.
The Su-30MKM aircraft are developed on the basis of the Indian version of the Su-30MKI fighter. With similar combat capabilities, the vehicles differ in configuration. So, If the Su-30MKI has Israeli devices as part of its on-board equipment, then in Malaysian aircraft these devices have been replaced with French analogues.
Heavy two-seat Su-30MKM fighters are designed to gain air superiority and strike ground targets using a wide arsenal of guided weapons. The aircraft's range, depending on its armament, can reach 2,000 kilometers, and the maximum speed exceeds 2,100 kilometers per hour.
Malaysian Armed Forces | |
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Types of armed forces: | Malaysian Ground Forces (Malaysian Army) (Malay. Tentera Darat Malaysia); Royal Malaysian Navy (Malaysian) Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM) Royal Malaysian Air Force (Malaysian) Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) |
Conscription age and recruitment procedure: | The Malaysian Armed Forces are staffed by volunteers who are at least 18 years of age. |
Human resources available for military service: | men aged 16-49: 7,501,518 women aged 16-49: 7,315,999 (2010 estimate) |
Human resources suitable for military service: | men aged 16-49: 6,247,306 women aged 16-49: 6,175,274 (2010 estimate) |
Human resources reaching military age annually: | men: 265,008 women: 254,812 (2010 estimate) |
Military spending - percentage of GDP: | 2.03% (2005 estimate), 69th place in the world |