| Malaysian Armed Forces Angkatan Tentera Malaysia |
|
|---|---|
Flag Malaysian Armed Forces |
|
| Founded | September 16, 1963 |
| Service branches | Malaysian Army Royal Malaysian Navy Royal Malaysian Air Force |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah 5-star Marshal |
| Minister of Defence | Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi |
| Chief of Defence Force | General (Malay: Jeneral) Tan Sri Dato' Sri Zulkefli Mohd. Zin |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | $3.5 billion List of countries by military expenditure |
| Percent of GDP | 1.9% |
| Related articles | |
| History | Military history of Malaysia |
| Ranks | Malaysian Armed Forces ranks and insignia |
The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF, Malay: Angkatan Tentera Malaysia-ATM), the military of Malaysia, consists of three branches; the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN, Malay: Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia-TLDM), the Malaysian Army (Malay: Tentera Darat Malaysia-TD) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF, Malay: Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia-TUDM). General Zulkefli Mohd. Zin is the Chief of Defence Forces, Malaysia.
Contents |
| Components | |
|---|---|
| Malaysian Army | |
| Royal Malaysian Navy | |
| Royal Malaysian Air Force | |
| History | |
| Military history of Malaysia | |
| Related information | |
| Awards & decorations | |
| Special Operations Force | |
| Council | |
| National service | |
| Military manpower | |
|---|---|
| Military age | 18 years of age |
| Availability | males age 16-49: 7,501,518 females age 16-49: 7,315,999 (2010 est.) |
| Fit For service | males age 16-49: 6,247,306 females age 16-49: 6,175,274 (2010 est.) |
| Of age / year | males: 265,008 females: 254,812 (2010 est.) |
| Military expenditure | |
| Dollar figure | $1.69 billion (2000 est.) |
| % of GDP | 2.03% (2005) |
| Foreign military suppliers | |
| Suppliers | United States Russia United Kingdom Germany Italy Switzerland Canada Poland South Africa others |
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Source : CIA World Factbook 2006 |
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Malaysia's armed forces originated from the formation of local military forces in the first half of the 20th century, during British colonial rule of Malaya and Singapore prior to Malaya's independence in 1957. Its role is to defend the sovereignty and strategic interests of Malaysia from all forms of threat.
It is responsible for assisting civilian authorities to overcome all international threats, preserve public order, assist in natural disasters and participate in national development programs. It is also sustaining and upgrading its capabilities in the international sphere to uphold the national foreign policy of being involved under the guidance of the United Nations (UN).
The main theatres of operations were within Malaysian borders, primarily to fight an insurgency led by the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) in what was known as the Emergency. The only foreign incursion of Malaysian territory in modern times were in World War II by Japan (Malaya was then not a unified political entity and consisted of the British Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements, and the British protected Federated Malay States and Unfederated Malay States) and during the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation by Indonesia under the leadership of President Sukarno. Operations on foreign soil have mainly been peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations.
(The rest of the entries below require a cleanup)
Other limited participation under UNPKO are United Nations International Police Force (UNIPTF) since December 1995; United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) since Jun 1999; United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) since October 1999; United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) since September 1999 and United Nations Organisation Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) since February 2000.
18 Malaysian Armed Forces personnel have been killed during UN peacekeeping operations.
Malaysian defence requirements are assigned to the Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia - ATM). The armed forces has three branches, the Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia - TLDM), Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia - TD), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia - TUDM). Malaysia does not have conscription, and the required age for voluntary military service is 18.[2]
In the early 1990s, Malaysia undertook a major program to expand and modernize its armed forces. However, budgetary constraints imposed by the 1997 financial crisis held many of the procurements. The recent economic recovery may lead to relaxation of budgetary constraints on the resumption of major weapons purchases. In October 2000 the Defense Minister also announced a review of national defense and security policy to bring it up to date. The review addressed new security threats that have emerged in the form of low intensity conflicts, such as the kidnapping of Malaysians and foreigners from resort islands located off the east coast of the state of Sabah and risk rising territory dispute with several neighbour countries. Currently, 1.9% of Malaysia's GDP is spent on the military, which hires 1.23% of Malaysia's manpower.[2] Dr Kogila Balakrishnan is the head of the Defence Industry.
Since the recovery from the 1997 economic crisis, MA along with other branches of the MAF regains momentum in its modernizing programs.
The RMN Future Fleet programme is component of second batch of Lekiu class frigates, Scorpène class submarines, New Generation Patrol Vessels (NGPV), Multi-Purpose Support Ship (MPSS) and maritime patrol aircraft. The ultimate goal is to build a six vessels squadron of each class by year 2020.
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.
In early 2004, the Ministry of Defense also initiated a compulsory National Service program for 18 years old Malaysians. Participants of the Malaysian National Service are chosen randomly. Currently, only 20% of those eligible are inducted but plans call for this program to eventually cover all 18 year olds. Although under the purview of the Ministry of Defence, the National Service is not a military programme. Draftees are taught basic hand-to-hand combat and handling of certain weapons, including Colt M16s by military instructors, but are not expected to be conscripted or called into military draft. It is described as a nation and community building programme and incorporate other training modules including character learning and civics.
In light of the increasing crude oil price worldwide, the military had volunteered in a pioneering program to use biodiesel. By next year (2007), all diesel-type vehicle in the Malaysian Armed Forces will be using biodiesel consisting of 95% diesel and 5% oil palm diesel.
Although MoD announced a redraw from funding the Eagle ARV research program. Composite Technology and Research Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (CTRM) joined venture with Kramatic Systems Sdn. Bhd. (IKRAMATIC) and System Consultancy Services Sdn. Bhd.(SCS) had come close with another development, the ALUDRA MK I/MK II. It was reported during the LIMA 07, Malaysian army and Joint Forces Command had showed strong interest toward the indigenous tactical UAV.
There is also a new development unveiled during the celebration of the Malaysia's 50th independence. It is a laser guide projectile code name Taming Sari XK98, but no further details were enclosed. It was first spotted by the public when it participated the celebration parade.
During the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2006, Malaysia announced that the U.S. made M4 carbine service rifle will replace the Austrian made Steyr AUG service rifle for all three Malaysian Armed Forces services. This decision has been finalized. Malaysia had also obtained a licensed product line of the rifle under SME Ordnance. The first batch of the weapon is expected to be delivered by year 2008.
On July 18, 2007, five days after the wreckage of a Nuri (Sikorsky Sea King S-61A4) helicopter was found near Genting Sempah, Pahang, Defense Minister Najib Razak announced that the Malaysian government will call soon for an international tender for new helicopters to replace the aging fleet. The aging Nuri will be retired by year 2010. The requirement for the new procurement includes capacity of 25 passengers as well as limited combat, search and rescue capability.[3] Four contender were shortlisted for the final evaluation, they were the Eurocopter EC 725, AgustaWestland EH101, Sikorsky S-92 and Mil MI-171. On September 26, 2008, Malaysian Government announced that the tender is being awarded to Eurocopter.[4]
On April 21, 2008, first days of DSA 2008 Ministry Of Defence Malaysia has made a new procument worth RM1.2 billion (USD375 million). The new procument involving 8 unit ACV-S 300 (Mobile Armor Mortar Carrier – 120mm), additional 30 unit ACV 300 with various variant from local firm DRB Hicom Technologies Sdn Bhd (DEFTECH) which expected full delivery on 2010. Another procument involving new 85 HUMVEE Spain version from Master Defence Sdn Bhd, of which 25 are as Igla platform carrier and the rest configured in AGL/HMG role.
The Five Power Defence Arrangement between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, is a regional security initiative which has been in place for almost 40 years. It involves joint military exercises held between the 5 countries.[5]
Joint exercises and war games have been held with Indonesia for years.[6] Malaysia and the Philippines have agreed to host joint exercises between their security forces, in order to secure their maritime border and tackle issues such as illegal immigration.[7]
There are fears that unrest in the Muslim areas of the southern Philippines[8] and southern Thailand[9] could spill over into Malaysia.