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Royal Malaysian Air Force

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Royal Malaysian Air Force
Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia
Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (TUDM)
Royal Malaysian Air Force ensign
Flag and Crest of Royal Malaysian Air Force
http://www.airforce.gov.my
Founded2 June 1958[1]
Country Malaysia
BranchMalaysian Armed Forces
TypeAir Force
RoleDefence and Dominance of Malaysia's airspace and its territory
Motto(s)Sentiasa Di Angkasaraya
(Template:Lang-en)
ColorsNavy Blue, Maya Blue
  
AnniversariesJune 2nd 1958 (founded)
EngagementsMalayan Emergency
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Communist Insurgency War
Commanders
Chief of Air ForceGeneral Dato' Rodzali bin Daud
Deputy Chief of Air ForceLieutenant General Dato' Haji Shahron bin Ibrahim
Insignia
Roundel & Fin Flash
Roundel 1963-1982
Aircraft flown
AttackBAE Hawk Mk.208
Electronic
warfare
Sapura UVA, RJX1 UVA
FighterSukhoi Su-30 MKM Flanker, Boeing F/A-18D Hornet, Mikoyan MiG-29N Fulcrum
InterceptorMikoyan MiG-29N Fulcrum
PatrolBeechcraft Super King Air
ReconnaissanceNorthrop RF-5
TrainerAermacchi MB-339, MD3-160 Aerotiga, BAE Hawk Mk.108, Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer
TransportLockheed C-130 Hercules, Airbus A400M, CASA CN-235, Sikorsky S-61 Sea King, Mil Mi-17, Eurocopter EC 725

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) (Template:Lang-ms) was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Malayan Air Force (Tentera Udara Di Raja Persekutuan). However, its roots could be traced to the Malayan Auxiliary AF formations of the British Royal Air Force in then colonial British Malaya. Today, the Royal Malaysian Air Force operates a unique mix of modern US, European and Russian made aircraft.

Early years

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Twin Pioneer Mk.1 “Lang Rajawali” (FM1064 c/n:583) on display at the Melaka Transport Museum

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 RMAF, the Simpang Airport, which was established on 1 June 1941, located in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur which was formerly part of Selangor.

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 Malayan 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 the first combat aircraft with the delivery of 20 Canadair CL41G Tebuan (an armed version of the Canadair Tutor trainer). TUDM also received the Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters, used in the liaison role.

With the formation of Malaysian Federation on September 16, 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 the Sikorsky S-61A-4 helicopters in the late sixties and early seventies and 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 defense against external aggression. The Royal Australian Air Force maintained a Mirage IIIO squadron at the Butterworth Air Base as part of its commitment to the Five Power Defence Agreement. This squadron has been withdrawn since 1983 though occasional deployments of RAAF aircraft continue.

Modernization

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A Northrop RF-5E Tigereye tactical reconnaissance aircraft

With the withdrawal of the British military forces, TUDM underwent gradual modernisation in the 1970s and through the 1990s. The CA27 Sabre were replaced by 16 Northrop F-5E Tiger-IIs. A reconnaissance capability was acquired with the purchase of 2 RF-5E Tigereye aircraft. TUDM also purchased 88 ex-US Navy Douglas A-4C Skyhawks, of which 40 of the airframes 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, limitation imposed by the United States on "new technology" to the region such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM fire and forget air to air missiles has made TUDM consider purchases from Russia and other non-traditional sources.

The '90s saw the arrival first with the BAE Hawk Mk108/208 which replaced the T/A-4PTM's followed by the MiG-29N/NUB in 1995 to take on the air superiority role, and finally the delivery of the F/A-18D Hornet in 1997 to provide the 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 batch of multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA). A requirement for a further eighteen MRCAs remains unfulfilled. TUDM is also looking for an AWACS aircraft, though 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 aircraft will be delivered in 2016.[2] In late 2006, the Government signed a contract to purchase 8 Aermacchi MB-339CMs to add to the 8 older MB-339AMs currently in service.

In March 2007, then-Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak clarify to the public that the MiG-29s will continue in service until the year of 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.[3] Deputy RMAF Chief Lt Gen Bashir Abu Bakar told media news after opening of the Heli-Asia 2007, that tender assessment for the replacement of the Sikorsky S-61A-4 would occur in early 2008.[4]

In June 2009, RMAF chief General Azizan Ariffin said that the air force will replace their MiG-29s with better aircraft that have high agility and the capability to attack and overcome the enemy forces.[5]

At the 12th Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition 2010,[6] a Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed for 12 EC725 helicopters to be supplied to the RMAF.[7] With that, EADS 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.[8]

Ranks of The Royal Malaysian Air Force

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Up until the late 1970s, the Royal Malaysian Air Force used the same officer ranking system as the Royal Air Force. These ranks were replaced by army-style ranks and the list of ranks which are currently used is shown below from the highest rank to the lowest rank.

Ranks until 1970

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Flag Officer

Rank Air Chief Marshal Air Marshal Air Vice Marshal Air Commodore

Commissioned Officer

Rank Group Captain Wing Commander Squadron Leader Flight Lieutenant Flying Officer Section/Pilot Officer Cadet Officer

Enlisted

Rank Master Aircrew Flight Sergeant Chief Technician Sergeant Corporal Junior Technician Senior Aircraftman Leading Aircraftman Aircraftman

Royal Malaysian Air Force ranks from 1970 onward

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NCO's and SNCO's

Officers
All officers apply the Air Force acronym (RMAF, TUDM) to their rank title.

  • Junior Lieutenant of the RMAF (Leftenan Muda TUDM)
  • Lieutenant of the RMAF (Leftenan TUDM)
  • Captain of the RMAF (Kapten TUDM)
  • Major of the RMAF (Mejar TUDM)
  • Lieutenant Colonel of the RMAF (Leftenant Kolonel TUDM)
  • Colonel of the RMAF (Kolonel TUDM)

General Officers
All general officers apply the Air Force acronym (RMAF, TUDM) to their rank title.

Insignia Description
Brigadier General of the RMAF
(Brigadier Jeneral TUDM)
Typically serves as Deputy Commander to the Commanding General of a division and assists in overseeing the planning and coordination of a mission. In an infantry brigade not attached to a division, a Brigadier General serves as the unit's commander, while a Colonel serves as deputy commander.
Major General of the RMAF
(Mejar Jeneral TUDM)
Typically commands division-sized units (10,000 to 16,000 soldiers).
Lieutenant General of the RMAF
(Leftenan Jeneral TUDM)
Typically commands corps-sized units (20,000 to 45,000 soldiers).
General of the RMAF
(Jeneral TUDM)
Commands all operations that fall within his geographical area. The Chief of Defence Force and the Chief of the Air Force are four-star Generals.
Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force
(Marsyal Tentera Udara Di Raja Malaysia)
This rank is only used by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Assets

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A TUDM MiG-29 in formation with a US Navy F-14 Tomcat
Four TUDM F/A-18 aircraft perform aerial maneuvers for exhibition crowds.
CASA 235 serial number M44-03 of the Royal Malaysian Air Force at 2006 Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford, England.

Template:Standard table |- bgcolor=#aacccc | Total Aircraft In Service | 226 (36 orders) |}

Organisation

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  • 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 - S-61A4A Nuri Kuala Lumpur AFB'
    • 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-339AM 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, C-130T Subang AFB
    • 21 Squadron - CN-235-200M Subang AFB
  • 2nd Division
    • 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-339AM/CM Kuantan AFB

Airbases

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Airbases include:

Royal Malaysian Air Force Regiment

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The RMAF Regiment is the land defence and security unit of the RMAF. It consists of various units tasked with fulfilling the mission and vision of the RMAF.. These units are:

  • PASKAU TUDM (Special Air Service, RMAF)
  • RMAF HANDAU (Air Ground Defence)
  • RMAF Air Defence

Special Forces

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The special forces of the RMAF is known as PASKAU (Malay acronym for Pasukan Khas Udara, loosely means Special Air Service), 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.[9] During peacetime, the unit is tasked with responding to aircraft hijacking incidents as well as protecting Malaysia's numerous offshore RMAF airbases and civilian airports. Its wartime roles include ground designation, sabotaging of enemy air assets and equipments and the defense of RMAF aircraft and bases. This unit is also deployed for counter-terrorism duties as well as Urban warfare/Close quarters combat.

RMAF HANDAU

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The security force (Military Police tasking) and Quick Reaction Forces is known as HANDAU (Malay acronym for pertaHANan DArat Udara, loosely means Air Ground Defence), part of the RMAF Regiment. HANDAU like as 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.[10] During peacetime, the unit is tasked as Provost (Military Police) and secure and defence any Air Force installations. This unit is also traiuned for counter-terrorism duties as well as Urban warfare/Close quarters combat.

Missing Jet Engines Scandal

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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 a RMAF gowdown in Kuala Lumpur during Najib's tenure as Defence Minister in Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Cabinet. The jets engines belonging to the 12th Squadron (Scorpion) based in Butterworth. The issue became a matter of political dispute,[11] and it was reported a brigadier-general, 40 other armed forces personnel, had been sacked over the incident.[12] On January 6, 2010, two Malaysians, an air force sergeant and a civilian contractor, were charged in connection with the theft and disposal of both engines.[13]

Engines diverted to Uruguay

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On February 5, 2010, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail revealed that the two missing F5E jet engines have been found in Uruguay with the help of the Government of Uruguay 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 Dec 20, 2007 and Jan 1, 2008, and sent to a gowdown in Subang Jaya before being shipped out of Malaysia to South America.[14][15]

References

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Notes
  1. ^ Note: Originally founded as Malaysian Auxiliary Air force in 1936
  2. ^ Malaysia: Military plane delivery delayed
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ International Tender For Nuri Replacement To Open Soon
  5. ^ http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=0604&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Dalam_Negeri&pg=dn_13.htm&arc=hive
  6. ^ http://www.dsaexhibition.com/dsa2010/index.php
  7. ^ http://www.defenseworld.net/go/defensenews.jsp?id=4404
  8. ^ http://www.nst.com.my/articles/23eads/Article/
  9. ^ http://www.airforce.gov.my/info/paskau/
  10. ^ http://www.airforce.gov.my/info/paskau/
  11. ^ "Stolen engines case was covered up from the start". Malaysian Insider. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
  12. ^ "PM: Fighter jet engine reported stolen to cops". TheStar Online. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
  13. ^ "Two Malaysian Indians charged with aircraft engine theft". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  14. ^ "Missing jet engines found". TheStar Online. Retrieved 2010-02-06.
  15. ^ [2]
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