Royal Malaysian Air Force

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Royal Malaysian Air Force
Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (TUDM)
Royal Malaysian Air Force ensign
Founded June 2nd 1958
Country Malaysia
Commanders
Chief of Air Force General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Azizan Ariffin RMAF
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) (Malay: Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia or TUDM) was formed in 1958 as the Royal Malayan Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan). However, its roots could be traced to the Malayan Auxiliary AF formations of the British Royal Air Force in then colonial Malaya. Today, the Royal Malaysian Air Force operates a unique mix of modern Western and Russian made aircraft.

Contents

[edit] Early years

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 Commonwealth Aviation CA27 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 This squadron has been withdrawn since 1983 though occasional deployments of RAAF aircraft continue.

Royal malaysian Airforce Official Website (Malay) : http://www.airforce.gov.my

[edit] Modernization

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 Tigers. A reconnaissance capability was acquired with the purchase of 2 RF-5E Tigereye aircraft. TUDM also purchased 88 Ex US Navy McDonnell Douglas A-4C Skyhawks and Grumman Bethpage refurbished 40 of the airframes 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 90's 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 interdictor 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 aircraft will be delivered in 2013. 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.

[edit] 2007

March
  • The RMAF has been reported to be converting some of its CN-235-220M transports into maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).
April
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak clarify to the public that the MiG-29s will continue in service until the year of 2010.
  • The first 2 Su-30MKMs had been handed over to Malaysia on 23 May 2007 in Irkutsk.
July
  • a RMAF Nuri helicopter crashed and killed all 6 on board RMAF officers. The tragic incident had successfully won attention from the Malaysian Government. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak assure to public that RMAF will replace the Nuris in a short time.
August
  • Three Su-30MKM arrived earlier in August took part in the 50th Malaysian Independence parade held on 31st August 2007.[1]
October
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak unveil that the Nuri helicopter will phase out by 2012. Nuri Helicopters commissioned in RMAF since 1968, until then, it had accumulated 15 accidents, killed 89 crew, including 70 RMAF personnel.[2]
  • Deputy RMAF Chief Lt Gen Datuk Bashir Abu Bakar told media news after opening of the Heli-Asia 2007, that tender assessment will result in early 2008, later also added that there will be 6 units for the first batch.[3]

[edit] Ranks of The Royal Malaysian Air Force

See Also Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces

This is the list of ranks that is currently used in the Royal Malaysian Air Force, from the highest rank to the lowest rank.

Flag Officer

Rank General Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier General
Malay Jeneral Leftenan Jeneral Mejar Jeneral Brigadier Jeneral

Commissioned Officer

Rank Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Sub Lieutenant Cadet
Malay Kolonel Leftenan Kolonel Mejar Kapten Leftenan Leftenan Muda Kadet

[edit] Royal Malaysian Air Force

Insignia Description
Brigadier General 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 Typically commands division-sized units (10,000 to 16,000 soldiers).
Lieutenant General Typically commands corps-sized units (20,000 to 45,000 soldiers).
General Commands all operations that fall within his geographical area. The Chief of Air Force and the Commandant of the Air Force are four-star Generals.
Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force This rank is only used by the Malaysian King as a special rank.

[edit] Commanders of the RMAF

[edit] Chief of Air Force

General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Azizan Ariffin RMAF

http://www.airforce.gov.my

[edit] Deputy Chief of Air Force

Lieutenant General Dato' Seri Bashir Abu Bakar RMAF

[edit] Assets

Main article: List of aircraft of the Royal Malaysian Air Force
A TUDM Mig-29 in formation with a US Navy F-14 Tomcat
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.
Four TUDM F/A-18 aircraft perform aerial maneuvers for exhibition crowds.


Total Aircraft In Service 226 (36 orders)

[edit] Organisation

  • 1st Division
    • 2 Squadron Fokker F-28 Fellowship, Falcon 90, Global Express, Boeing BBJ 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-5F, RF-5E Butterworth AFB
    • 15 Squadron BAE Hawk 108/Hawk 209, 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
    • ILIT (Flight Instructor Training Institute) PC-7 Mk II Alor Setar AFB

[edit] Airbases

Airbases include:

[edit] Special Force

Main article: PASKAU

The special forces arm of the RMAF is known as PASKAU or Pasukan Khas Udara. In the peacetime, the unit is tasked with responding to aircraft hijacking incidents as well as protecting Malaysia's numerous offshore RMAF airbase and civil 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 to counter-terrorism duties and also urban CQB.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pertunjukan Udara Sukhoi Hadiah Untuk Negara, Kata Juruterbang
  2. ^ Malaysia Has No Intention Of Starting Arms Race: Najib
  3. ^ International Tender For Nuri Replacement To Open Soon

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:


Malaysian Armed Forces
Royal Malaysian Navy Malaysian Army Royal Malaysian Air Force