| Angkatan Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1965 |
| Country | Brunei |
| Branch | Air Force |
| Role | No. 1 Squadron No. 2 Squadron No. 3 Squadron No. 4 Squadron No. 5 Squadron Parachute Airborne Tactical Delivery Unit (PATDU) Fire Unit |
| Size | Five squadrons |
| Part of | Royal Brunei Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Rimba Air Force Base |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Brigadier General (U) Hj Jofri bin Abdullah |
| Notable commanders |
Brigadier General (U) Hj Mahmud bin Saidin, first Bruneian with fighter pilot's licence |
The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) or Angkatan Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (ATUDB) as it is known by its Malay name, is the air force of the sultanate of Brunei. It is mainly based at the Rimba Air Base within the Brunei International Airport.[1] The role of the Royal Brunei Air Force is to defend the national airspace and to provide air surveillance of the land and maritime borders.[2]
The Royal Brunei Air Force was formed on 1 October 1991 from the Air Wing of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The Air Wing of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces had operated helicopters (the Bell 205) since 1965.[1] The Royal Air Force provides human resources specialists such as pilots and aircraft technicians to assist the Royal Brunei Air Force.[3]
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Royal Brunei Air Force was established as the Air Wing of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment in 1965. It was first tasked to fly doctors to rural area with two Sikorsky S-55 aircraft, which was operated by pilots from the Worldwide Helicopter Company. In 1966, the tasks were taken over by pilots from the British Royal Air Force operating three Westland Whirlwind helicopters.[4]
In 1967, the unit was renamed as the Helicopter Platoon and received five Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopters. The Air Technical Training School was established in 1980. In 1981, the Second Squadron was established and equipped with six Bolkow BO 105 helicopters. The Third Squadron was establish in 1982 and equipped with SIAI-Marchetti SF260s. When Brunei assumed responsibility for its own defence from the United Kingdom in 1984 the Air Wing was expanded. On the 1 October 1991, with the consent of The Sultan, the Air Wing was officially renamed the Royal Brunei Air Force.[4]
The Fourth Squadron was established in 1997 and was equipped with the Blackhawk S-70A helicopters. The Fifth Squadron was also established in 1997 and was equipped with a CN-235 plane and the Base Defence Squadron. In the same year, the Third Squadron received the Pilatus PC-7 Mark II training aircraft. The Thirty-Eight Squadron was established in 1999 and is equipped with the Mistral surface-to-air missile.[4]
Currently, the commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force is Brigadier General Jofri Abdullah.
The Air Force is divided into 5 Wings[5]:
The Operation Wing consists of 4 Flying Squadrons and two addition units[6]:
The Air Regiment consists of 3 Squadrons and Technical Training School[7]:
The Logistics Wing consists of three units which are the Engineering Squadron, Supply Squadron and Technical Equipment Maintenance Department (TEMD). The role of the Engineering Squadron is to provide and maintain aircraft serviceability for operational use. The role of Supply Squadron is to provide logistical support and equipment for the personnel. The role of the TEMD is to provide maintenance for the aircraft.[8]
The Training Wing consists of the Third Squadron, which is also known as the Flying Training School (FTS), the Air Technical Training School (ATTS) and the Standard and Evaluation Squadron (STANEVAL). The Training Wing is responsible for recruiting and training pilots and technicians, as well as preparing pilot instructor courses and flying standards. The Third Squadron is equipped with Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopters and Pilatus PC-7 Mk 2 aircraft.[8]
The Administration Wing consists of the Physical Training Section, Pay Office, Regimental Police, Military Transport and Civilian Office.[9]
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[10] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell 206B JetRanger | United States | utility helicopter | 2 | Third Squadron | |
| Bell 212 Twin Huey | United States | transport helicopter | 10 | First Squadron | |
| Bell 214ST | United States | transport helicopter | 214ST | 1 | First Squadron |
| MBB Bo 105CB | Germany | utility helicopter | Bo 105CB | 4 | Second Squadron |
| Nurtanio/CASA-IPTN CN 235M | Indonesia | transport | CN 235MPA | 1 (3 ordered) | Fourth Squadron - originally designated for Maritime patrol for 5th Squadron |
| Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer | Switzerland | trainer | 4 | Third Squadron | |
| Sikorsky S-70A/C Black Hawk | United States | utility helicopter | S-70A | 4 | No 4 Squadron |
| Sikorsky S-70 | United States | transport helicopter | S-70i | 12 on order[11] |
There have been plans to secure fighter capability by purchasing several BAe Hawk aircraft, but these plans have been delayed on several occasions.[12]
In November 2011, the White House announced that a deal has been secured by Sikorsky to sell 12 UH-60Ms to the Royal Brunei Air Force.[13]