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Malaysian Army
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The Malaysian Army (Malay: Tentera Darat Malaysia) is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ (diraja) as do the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy. Instead, the title is bestowed on selected army corps and regiments who have been accorded the honour by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
first military units in Malaysia can be traced back to the Malay States Volunteer Rifles which existed from 1915 to 1936.
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The Malaysian Army (Malay: Tentera Darat Malaysia) is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ (diraja) as do the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy. Instead, the title is bestowed on selected army corps and regiments who have been accorded the honour by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
History
The first military units in Malaysia can be traced back to the Malay States Volunteer Rifles which existed from 1915 to 1936. The birth of the Malaysian Army came about when the Federal Council of Federated Malay States eventually passed the Malay Regiment Bill on 23 January 1933. This allowed the initial recruitment of 25 males for the First Experimental Malay Company on 1 March 1933. Major G. McI. S. Bruce of the Lincolnshire Regiment was the first Commanding Officer.
By 1 January 1935, the Experimental Company became The Malay Regiment with a complement of 150 men. A battalion was formed on 1 January 1938 and eventually a second battalion on 1 December 1941.
The 1st Bn Malay Regiment was famous for its defence of Opium Hill or Bukit Chandu in Singapore. The ‘Battle of Opium Hill’ on 14 February 1942 involved 42 soldiers commanded by Lt. Adnan Bin Saidi who defended their position against attack from the 18th Division of the Japanese Imperial Army under Lt.Gen. Renya Mutaguchi. After World War II and during the Malayan Emergency, the number of battalions was increased to 7 in the early 50s.
The Kor Armor DiRaja (Royal Armoured Corps) can trace its roots to the formation on 1 September 1952 of the Federation Reconnaissance Squadron. It was later merged with the Federation Regiment to form the Federation Reconnaissance Corps. The name underwent a few transformations from the Malaysian Reconnaissance Corps (16 September 1967), Royal Malaysian Reconnaissance Corps (May 1979) to Royal Cavalry Corps (December 1979) and finally to Kor Armor DiRaja (Royal Armoured Corps) on 8 December 1986.
Organisation and structure
See also Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces
The Malaysian Army is currently organised into four Divisions and are placed under the Field Army Headquarters. Three of which (the 2nd, 3th and 4th Divisions) are based in Peninsular Malaysia and the fourth (the 1st Division) is based in East Malaysia. The Grup Gerak Khas (Special Forces group), 10th Parachute Brigade and the Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat (army aviation) are independent formations and directly subordinate to the Chief of the Army.
The Malaysian Army currently has 17 Corps or Regiments in the organisation. These are grouped into 3 main components, the Combat Element, The Combat Support Element and the Support Elements.
Corps and regiments
Combat elements
Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja
- Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja (Royal Malay Regiment) is the most senior regiment of the Malaysian Army. Its ranks are recruited from amongst the Malay population.
- The Regiment has 25 battalions which are configured as Standard Infantry Battalions (20 battalions), Mechanised Infantry Battalions (2 battalions), Parachute Infantry Battalions (2 battalions) or as Support Battalions (1 battalion). The 1st Battalion, the most senior in the Regiment, currently undertakes ceremonial and Royal Guard duties.
- A unit of the Regiment, 19th Bn Royal Malay Regiment (Mech) was involved in the rescue of US Rangers and Delta Force operatives in Somalia during the Battle of Mogadishu. The unit of 32 Radpanzer Condor APCs and 113 men from MALBATT 1 went in with the United States 10th Mountain Division to rescue the trapped rangers. Four APCs were immobilised and were destroyed by US helicopter gunships. 19 Royal Malay Regiment suffered 1 soldier killed in action (KIA), Pvt Mat Aznan Awang while 8 others were wounded in action (WIA). Pvt Mat Aznan Awang was later promoted posthumously to Corporal and was awarded with Pingat Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa, the nation's highest gallantry award. In total, 7 officers and 26 NCOs were awarded with various medals for their valour during the operation, the highest number of men recommended for medals in a single unit in a single operation.
- RAMD Beret's color is dark green except two of army elite battalion wearing Maroon Beret. See
Rejimen Renjer DiRaja
- Rejimen Renjer DiRaja (Royal Ranger Regiment)is a multi-racial unit organised along similar lines to the Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja. There are currently 9 Renjer battalions.
- The Regiment traces its roots to the Sarawak Rangers and the Sarawak Constabulary, famed jungle trackers who had a deadly reputation during the Malayan Emergency and during the Communist Party of Malaya’s insurgency in Malaysia.
- The 8th Bn Royal Ranger Regiment (8 Renjer) was the first infantry battalion in the Malaysian Army to undergo conversion into an airborne battalion. The unit is currently assigned to the elite 10 Brigade (Para).
- The Malaysian Army's most decorated hero, WOI (Rtd) Kanang anak Langkau was a Regimental Sergeant Major of 8 Renjer .
Kor Armor DiRaja
- Kor Armor DiRaja (Royal Armour Corps) provides the armour capability for the Malaysian Army.
- Currently, the Corps consists of 5 Battalions (sometimes errantly referred to as Regiments), which are equipped with various armoured personnel carriers and light combat vehicles.
- The delivery of 48 PT-91M Main Battle Tanks from Poland has started in summer 2007 .
Rejimen Gerak Khas (Special Forces)
- Rejimen Gerak Khas (Special Forces Regiment) is the special forces and commando regiment of the Malaysian Army. 21 Gerup Gerak Khas is the operational home of various specialists and the Commando battalions which are capable of conducting unconventional warfare or special operations.
- One of the known foreign operations involving this regiment was an attack by Somali militia on a convoy transporting UN Intelligence Chief in UNOSOM II on 18 July 1994. In the action, 2 members of the regiment were killed in action while another 4 were wounded. One of the injured men was taken hostage by the militia and was released 9 hours later.
Combat support element
Rejimen Artileri DiRaja
- Rejimen Artileri DiRaja (Royal Artillery Regiment) is the artillery corps of the Malaysian Army and provides artillery support and local air defense for army units.
- The regiment is equipped with 18 Brazilian-made Astros II multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and the 28 G5 MkIII towed artillery guns from South Africa. Air defense is provided using a mix of Swiss Oerlikon twin 35 mm and Swedish Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft artillery and missile systems such as the Jernas and Starburst from the UK; Anza from Pakistan and Igla from Russia.
Rejimen Semboyan DiRaja
Kor Polis Tentera DiRaja
- Kor Polis Tentera DiRaja (Royal Military Police Corps) deploy as part of the field army in support of army operations and enforces proper conduct among army personnel. Aside from being responsible for base security, the military police are also tasked with preventing and investigating criminal activities on army property or by military personnel.
Rejimen Askar Jurutera DiRaja
Rejimen Askar Jurutera DiRaja (Royal Engineers Regiment) is tasked with demolitions, bridge-laying and the repair of military infrastructure such as airbase runways or clearing obstacles in emergency situations.
Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera DiRaja
- Kor Jurutera Elektrik dan Jentera DiRaja (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps) are responsible for the maintenance of all vehicles and machinery of the Malaysian Army.
Kor Risik DiRaja
Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat
The unit currently has one squadron, No. 881 Squadron, equipped with 11 Agusta A109 LOH and 10 SA 316 Alouette III light helicopters. The main Army Air Corps base is located in Kluang, Johor.
Rejimen Askar Wataniah
- Rejimen Askar Wataniah (Territorial Army) forms the second line of Malaysia's defence. Formed by college students, professionals and civilians, they provide support for the regular armed forces of Malaysia and are responsible for the security of key installations in times of conflict. Originally tasked with area and local defence, the Rejimen Askar Wataniah units have been reconfigured and will perform front line duties alongside regular units when the need arises. Rejimen Askar Wataniah units such as armored squadrons are integral units of several Kor Armor DiRaja regiments.
Support elements
Kor Ordnans DiRaja
- Kor Ordnans DiRaja (Royal Ordnance Corps) ensures that all military supplies and ordnance are stored, secured and inventoried properly.
Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera
Kor Perkhidmatan DiRaja
- Kor Perkhidmatan DiRaja (Royal Logistics Corps) is in charge of ferrying troops and supplies to the various units of the Malaysian Army.
Kor Kesihatan DiRaja
- Kor Kesihatan DiRaja (Royal Medical Corps) provides training for Army medics and other specialists. It runs the Armed Forces hospitals and provides the battlefield mobile hospitals. The unit has also provided relief MALMEDTIMs (Malaysian Medical Teams) to Pakistan, Afganistan,West Sahara, Indonesia and Palestine.
Kor Perkhidmatan Am
Kor Perkhidmatan Am (Royal General Services Corps) is a branch of Malaysian Army that handles administration and financial management of the entire army.
Rejimen Pengurusan Sempadan (Border Regiment)
As of 1st July 2006, the Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Defense Minister, Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced the formation of a new regiment specifically for border patrol. Members of the regiment will be taken from the various regiments and corps, most notably from the Rejimen Askar Wataniah. The minister also added that the Rejimen Askar Wataniah 300 series. 500 series Regiments will be restructured in the near future to accommodate the formation of the Rejimen Pengurusan Sempadan. It is believed that the army will form about 2 to 3 brigades of this new regiment.
Service With United Nations in Lebanon
The Malaysian Army might possibly deploy between 850 and 1,000 soldiers to Lebanon under the United Nations peacekeeping mandate. The deployment will be in concert with deployment of troops from Indonesia (850 troops) and Brunei (200 troops). The International Stabilization Force in Southern Lebanon will only but only once a cease-fire is declared. The Malaysian contingent will comprise troops from the 4th Mechanised Brigade. An observer group would earlier to gather information on the situation there. The troops will fly out to Lebanon by military transport with their light equipments. Heavy equipment will be sent by ships of the Royal Malaysian Navy
While Lebanon has wholeheartedly welcome Malaysia's presence, Israel has protested Malaysia’s participation in the peacekeeping force because Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that only the United Nations can decide who should participate in the peacekeeping mission, and not by Israel. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak have said Israel should have no say in the make-up of the force as the troops would not be stationed on Israeli territory. The Malaysian Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, echoed the view.
Media
Unlike many other nations, there seems to be little interest from the local film industry to film movies touching on patriotism and the military in Malaysia. The dearth of these films and the growing concern over the lack of patriotism among younger generations of Malaysians pushed the Army to film a movie titled Lt Adnan in 2000. The movie was launched on August 31, 2001 by the then King of Malaysia. The movie had renewed interest among younger generations of Malaysians to take up a career in the military. Another reason for the increased interest was also that the financial crisis in 1997 had caused unemployment to rise significantly while the number of graduates kept on increasing from year to year.
The next project was a 29-episode drama series called Insurgensi, starring Norman Hakim. The series was shown on RTM1 for about 13 episodes before it was suddenly discontinued. No reason has been given as to why the series was discontinued but it is believed that the army continues to push for its re-airing on prime time. The army continues to show the series to National Service recruits.
Recently, the Army produced a 13-episode documentary called Penggempur. It was originally slated to be shown on national television on 1 March 2006. This was postponed to 2 April 2006 due to a change of guards in the state-owned television station. Summary of episodes are as mentioned below:
- 4th Mechanised Brigade
- Royal Artillery Regiment
- Royal Engineer Corp
- Royal Malay Regiment
- Skuadron Istiadat Berkuda/Mounted Squadron of Royal Armoured Corp
- Royal Ranger Regiment
- Royal Services Corp
- Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corp
- Royal Medical Corp
- Royal Military Police Corp
- Territorial Army
- Army College
Present Development
Since the recovery from the 1997 economic crisis, MA along with other branches of the MAF regains momentum in its modernizing programs. The first major procurement was to set a milestone by building its first ever main battle tank regiment. MA is now receiving delivery of 48 PT-91M main battle tanks from Poland. Despite of adding some 28 units of South African G5 Mk III 155mm howitzers, another major procurement was a 18 units of Astros MRLS from Brazil which had completed its delivery in 2006. A second batch of 18 units MLRS was ordered in 2007. MA is also rapidly mechanizing its current inventory where 211 Adnan IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) has been acquired by the army in 2004. Following a more recent procurement of the Pakistani Bakhtar-Shikan Anti-armor missile launcher, installed on the Adnans.
MA is now shifting its emphasis on enhancing its air wing. In September, 2006, MA had received its 11th and last Agusta-Westland A109H Light Utility Helicopter. These helicopters are the complement and ultimately the replacement for the aging SA316B Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters. 6 of them were decided to be installed with light arm and to be tasked as scout observation unit; a sample was shown in LIMA 07. The remainder is unclear of configuration. Furthermore, the army will also receive S61A-4 Nuri multipurpose helicopters after they retired from RMAF as the backbone for the army’s very first air transporter. These helicopters will form the army air wing’s squadron 881 and squadron 882 respectively.
The same year at the biannual Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2006, Malaysia announced the U.S. made M4 Carbine service rifle will replace the Austrian made Steyr AUG service rifle for all three Malaysian Armed Forces services. The army will eventually receive the new weapon soon.
There is also a requirement for an upgrade to the current air defence network. However a dispute between the army and the air force in whether to introduce a mid-range SAM system had led the procurement on held. According to a recent interview of the army’s chief of staff, Ismail bin Haji Jamaluddin, the army has no intention to take over the mid range air defence role.
Strength and equipment
Present strength of the Malaysian Army is approximately as follows:
Malaysian Army
Active: 80,000 personnel
Active Reserve: 50,000 personnel
4 infantry divisions, formed from 10 infantry brigades, 1 parachute brigade and 1 mechanised brigade. The 3rd Division ("Sehitam, Semerah") is converting to become the army's first combined arms formation.
- 26 Light Infantry Battalions
- 3 Airborne Infantry Battalions
- 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions
- 5 Armoured Regiments (1 Tank Regiment)
- 16 Artillery Regiments (4 Low Level Air Defence)
- 3 Special Forces Regiments
50,000 Active Reserve In approximatelty 60 Infantry (Askar Wataniah) Battalions.
Standard Issue Infantry Weapons
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Standard Issue Infantry Weapons
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Handgun Types
|----
| Beretta 92
|
| 92F
| Not known
| -
|----
| Browning High-Power
|
| Standard
| Not known
| -
|----
| Colt M1911 .45 ACP
|
| M1911A1
| Not known
| PAC and Grup Gerak Khas only
|----
| Heckler & Koch P9S
|
| Standard
| Not known
| -
|----
| Sig Sauer P226
|
| Standard
| Not known
| PAC and Grup Gerak Khas only
|----
| Vektor SP1
|
| Standard
| Not known
| -
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Shotgun Types
|----
| Remington 870 Shotgun
|
| Standard
| Not known
| PAC and Grup Gerak Khas only
|----
| Franchi SPAS-12 Shotgun
|
| Standard
| Not known
| Grup Gerak Khas only
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Submachinegun Types
|----
| Heckler & Koch MP5
|
| A2/A3/K-A4/SD3
| Not known
| Military police and special forces only
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Rifle Types
|----
| Colt M4A1 Carbine1
|
| Standard/Commando
| Not known
| future standard issue assault rifles
|----
| Colt M16A1 Assault Rifle
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| Standard
| Not known
| -
|----
| Colt M16A1 Model 653
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| Carbine
| Not known
| PAC and Grup Gerak Khas only
|----
| FN FNC
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| Standard
| Not known
| Grup Gerak Khas only
|----
| Heckler & Koch G36C
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| Carbine
| Not known
| Grup Gerak Khas only
|----
| SIG SG 552
|
| Commando
| Not known
| Royal Intelligence Corps only
|----
| Steyr AUG A11
|
| Standard
| Not known
| to be replaced by M4A1
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Sniper rifle Types
|----
| Accuracy International PM
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| Standard
| Not known
| PAC only
|----
| Heckler & Koch MSG-90
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| MSG-90A1
| Not known
| Grup Gerak Khas only
|----
| Harris Gun Works M-96 12.7mm
|
| Standard
| Not known
| -
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Machinegun Types
|----
| SACO M60 GPMG
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| M60E2
| Not known
| -
|----
| Heckler & Koch HK11
|
| Standard
| Not known
| to be replaced by FN Minimi
|----
| FN Minimi Light Machine Gun
|
| Minimi Mk.2
| Not known
| -
|----
| M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
|
| Standard
| Not known
| PAC only
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Grenade launcher Types
|----
| M203
|
| Standard
| Not known
| -
|----
| SACO Mk.19
|
| Standard
| Not known
| -
|----
| Milkor Mk.1
|
| Standard
| Not known
| -
|}
Like most armed forces in the world, the Malaysian Army is in possession of numerous other weapons, mostly to be used by special forces units such as the Grup Gerak Khas or by soldiers with a special assignment such as snipers.
Armour
| Model | Variants | Quantity | Note |
|---|
| Bumar-Labedy PT-91 Main Battle Tanks. | PT-91 M Main Battle Tanks | 48 | | | FNSS ACV 300 Infantry Fighting Vehicles. | ACV 300 Adnan | 211 | Additional 30 unit will be deliver expected on 2010 which be announce during DSA 2008. | | MIFV K200 (Modernized K-200 KIFVs) Armoured Personal Carriers. | Modernized K-200 KIFVs APC | 111 | | | FV101 Scorpion Light Tanks. | FV 101 Scorpion | 26 | | | Sibmas Armoured Fire Support Vehicles. | Sibmas 90 | 184 | | | Rheinmetall Condor Armoured Personal Carriers. | Condor APC | 460 | | Alvis Stormer Light Armoured Vehicles. | - | 25 | | Haegglunds Bandvagn 206 Light Armoured Vehicles. | - | 80 | | | Avibras AV-VBL Artillery Command Vehicles. | AV-VBL | 4 | | | V-150 APC/Armoured Fire Support Vehicles (retired). | - | - | |
Transport
- 1511 3 Ton 4x4 GS Cargo HICOM Handalan trucks.
- 168 2 Ton 4x4 Pinzgauer Gun Tractors.
- 164 2 Ton 6x6 Pinzgauer Mortar Transporters with 144 ammunition trailers.
- 85 3 Ton 4x4 URO VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico) High Mobility Tactical Vehicle.
- 13 6 Ton 4x4 Light Recovery Isuzu FTS33H.
- 29 5 Ton 4x4 Isuzu FSS32G Communication Shelters.
- 19 2 Ton 4x4 IVECO M4010 Field Ambulances.
- 04 2 Ton 4x4 IVECO M4012 Satellite Communication Vehicles.
- 33 Gomba Stonefield Field Ambulances.
- 4x4 Land Rover Defender .
- 4x4 G-wagon (Local Assembly).
- Mercedez Benz 911 3 ton (retired)
- TATA 1613 3 ton truck.
- Bedford RL 3 ton (retired)
- Volvo C303 (retired).
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Missile Weapons
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Air-Defense Types
|----
| MBDA Rapier missile
|
| "Jernas"
| 15
| -
|----
| Shorts Starburst surface-to-air missile
|
| Standard
| 700
| Most mounted on LML launchers
|----
| Anza (missile)
|
| Mk.II
| 500
| -
|----
| 9K38 Igla
|
| SA-18
| 200
| Man-portable air-defence systems.
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Anti Tank Types
|----
| Baktar-Shikan
|
| Standard
| 450
| -
|----
| 9?115-2 Metis-M
|
| Standard
| 20
| -
|----
| MBDA ERYX
|
| Standard
| 270
| PAC only
|----
| Saab Bofors Dynamics AT4
|
| Standard
| Not known
| Used by special forces
|----
| C-90 CR (M3)
|
| RB LAW
| Not known
| -
|----
| Carl Gustav recoilless rifle
|
| M2
| Not known
| -
|----
| M40 recoilless rifle
|
| Standard
| 150
| -
|----
| RPG-7
| 
| Standard
| 584
| -
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Artillery Types
|----
| Astros II MLRS
|
| Keris 300 mm
| 18
| -
|----
| Denel G5 howitzer
|
| Howitzer Mk.3
| 28
| -
|----
| VSEL FH-70
|
| Standard
| 15
| -
|----
| OTO Melara Mod 56
|
| Standard
| 200
| -
|----
| Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon
| 
| Standard
| 29
| -
|----
| Bofors 40 mm gun
| 
| Standard
| 36
| -
|----
| ACV-S 300
| -
| -
| 8
| Mobile amour mortar carrier.
|}
Radars:
- Ericsson GIRAFFE Radar Air Defence.
- Oerlikon Skyguard radar
- Ericsson ARTHUR Artillery Hunting Radar Artillery finding radar.
- Aselsan Askarad GSR
Army Air Wing:
External links
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