Royal Malaysian Air Force

Royal Malaysian Air Force
Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia
Crest of the Royal Malaysian Air Force www.airforce.gov.my
Founded	2 June 1958[1]
Country	Malaysia
Allegiance	Supreme Head of Malaysia
Branch	Malaysian Armed Forces
Type	Air force
Role	Aerial defence and dominance of Malaysian territory
Size	15,000[2] active personnel
Motto	Sentiasa di Angkasaraya (English : Always in the Airspace)
Colours	Navy blue, Maya blue
Anniversaries	2 June 1958 (founded)
Engagements	Malayan Emergency Sarawak Communist Insurgency Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation Communist Insurgency War Moro attacks on Sabah (2013 standoff)
Commanders
Colonel-in-Chief	Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang
Chief of Air Force	General Rodzali Daud
Insignia
Air Force Ensign
Roundel & Fin Flash
Aircraft flown
Attack	BAE Hawk Mk.108, BAE Hawk Mk.208
Electronic warfare	Sapura UVA, RJX1 UVA
Fighter	Sukhoi Su-30MKM, Boeing F/A-18D Hornet, Mikoyan MiG-29N
Interceptor	Northrop F-5E Tiger II (Active Reserve Interceptor)
Patrol	Beechcraft Super King Air
Reconnaissance	Northrop RF-5
Trainer	BAE Hawk Mk.108, Aermacchi MB-339, MD3-160 Aerotiga, Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer, Aérospatiale Alouette III
Transport	Airbus A400M, Lockheed C-130 Hercules, CASA CN-235, Boeing Business Jet, Eurocopter EC 725, Sikorsky S-61 Sea King, Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk, Agusta A109

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF; Malay: Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (TUDM)) was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan). However, its roots can be traced back to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force formations of the British Royal Air Force in then colonial British Malaya. Today, the Royal Malaysian Air Force operates a unique mix of modern American, European and Russian-made aircraft.

Early years

Labuan Air Base with CAC Sabre in 1965, today became the main airbase for East Malaysia.

The Malaysian air forces trace their lineage to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force formations of the Royal Air Force raised in 1934. They later transformed into the Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force and the Malaya Volunteer Air Force formed in 1940 and dissolved in 1942 during the height of the Japanese advance over Malaya. The latter was reestablished in 1950 in time for the Malayan Emergency and contributed very much to the war effort. On 2 June 1958, the MVAF finally became the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force, this date is celebrated as RMAF Day yearly.

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 RFMAF, at Simpang Airport; it was established on 1 June 1941, in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur which was formerly part of Selangor and the national capital city.

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 Federation of Malaya 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 its first combat aircraft with the delivery of 20 Canadair CL41G Tebuans (an armed version of the Canadair Tutor trainer). TUDM also received Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters, to be used in the liaison role.

A Twin Pioneer Mk.1 "Lang Rajawali" (FM1064 c/n:583) on display at the Malacca Transport Museum.

With the formation of the Malaysian Federation on 16 September 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 Sikorsky S-61A-4 helicopters in the late 16 and early seventies which were 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 defence against external aggression. The Royal Australian Air Force maintained two Mirage IIIO squadrons at the Butterworth Air Base as part of its commitment to the Five Power Defence Agreement. These squadrons were withdrawn in 1986, although occasional deployments of RAAF aircraft continue.

Modernisation

Sukhoi Su-30MKM seen from top and bottom

Royal Malaysian Air Force (Sukhoi Su-30MKM, Boeing F/A-18D Hornet, Mikoyan MiG-29N and BAE Hawk Mk.108) and US Air Force (F-22 Raptor and F-15 Eagle) participating in Cope Taufan 2014

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

The '90s saw the arrival of first the BAE Hawk Mk108/208 which replaced the T/A-4PTMs, followed by the MiG-29N/NUB in 1995 in the air superiority role and delivery of the F/A-18D Hornet in 1997 to provide an 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 of multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA). A requirement for a further eighteen MRCAs remains unfulfilled. TUDM is also looking for an AWACS aircraft, although 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 is delivered in March 2015.^[3][4] In late 2006, the Government signed a contract to purchase eight Aermacchi MB-339CMs to add to the eight MB-339AMs already in service.

In March 2007, then-Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak notified the public that the MiG-29s would continue in service until 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.^[5] Deputy RMAF Chief Lieutenant General Bashir Abu Bakar told the media after opening Heli-Asia 2007, that tender assessment for the replacement of the Sikorsky S-61A-4 would occur in early 2008.^[6]

In late 2013 Vector Aerospace, a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, with its subsidiary, Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America ("HS-NA"), one of the world’s leading providers of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services was chosen to carry out a comprehensive fully integrated glass cockpit installation for the S-61A-4 Nuri, breathing new life in an already well established platform, and giving a modern,reliable and cost effective product that will carry the S61A-4 Nuri well into the future.

In June 2009, RMAF chief General Azizan Ariffin said that the air force would replace their MiG-29s with aircraft that have better agility and the capability to attack enemy forces.^[7]

At the 12th Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition 2010,^[8] a Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed for 12 EC725 helicopters to be supplied to the RMAF.^[9] With that, EADS, (the European Aeronautical Defence and Space Company), 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.^[10]

The Royal Malaysian Air Force currently has an MRCA replacement program to replace the MiG-29 and F-5 fighters that will be retired by the end of 2015. The MRCA replacement program is currently narrowed down to 4 types of aircraft (Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Saab JAS 39 Gripen). Under the program, the RMAF is looking to equip three squadrons with 36 to 40 new fighter aircraft with a budget of RM6 billion to RM8 billion (US$1.84 billion to US$2.46 billion).^[11]

Aircraft

Aircraft	Photo	Role	Variants	Operational	Total	Notes
Combat Aircraft
Sukhoi Su-30MKM		Multirole fighter	Su-30MKM	18[12]	18	An advanced version of the Sukhoi Su-30 family and highly specialised version for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.[13]
Boeing F/A-18 Hornet		Multirole fighter	F/A-18D	8[12]	8	Upgraded in 2011.[14] Operable at night/in all weather.
Mikoyan MiG-29		Air superiority fighter	MiG-29N MiG-29NUB	10[15][16] 2[17]	12	Will be retired in 2015. The MRCA replacement program is currently narrowed down to 4 types of aircraft (Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Saab JAS 39 Gripen). Under the program, the RMAF is looking to equip three squadrons with 36 to 40 new fighter aircraft with a budget of RM6 billion to RM8 billion (US$1.84 billion to US$2.46 billion).[11]
BAE Hawk		Light multirole fighter	Mk 108 Mk 208	6[17] 14[18]	20	All upgraded in 2010 to enhance their capabilities.[18] Mk 208 planes are single seat light multirole fighters Mk 108 planes are advanced weapons trainers with combat capabilities[19]
Northrop F-5		Light attack, Reconnaissance	F-5 Tiger II RF-5E Tigereye	16[15] 2[17]	18	Reactivated in 2003 as Tactical Air Reconnaissance Squadron.Will be retired by end of 2014 and replaced under the MRCA program.[20]
Transport Aircraft/Aerial refuelling/Patrol
Airbus A400M		Long Range military transport	A400M	1(3)	1(3)	4 ordered. One delivered on 15 March 2015 during LIMA 2015.[4][21]
Lockheed C-130 Hercules		Military transport, Maritime patrol aircraft, Aerial refuelling	C-130H C-130MP KC-130T	10 1 4	15	10 C-130H,1 C-130MP and 4 KC-130T. C-130MP is a maritime patrol variant and can be reconfigured into tactical airlift. The 4 KC-130T provide aerial refuelling capabilities for the RMAF. All aircraft are to be upgraded.
CASA CN-235		Military transport, Maritime patrol aircraft	CN-235-220M-VIP CN-235-220M	8[12][22]	8	Military transport for army airborne (PAC) and humanitarian uses.
Beechcraft Super King Air		Maritime patrol aircraft	B200T	4[15]	4	Equipped with tactical command system, one master search radar and one forward looking infrared system.
Cessna 402		Military transport	402B	10[15]	10
Boeing Business Jet		VIP Transport	BBJ1(737-700)	1	1	Used for the Prime Minister and/or Deputy Prime Minister.
Bombardier Global Express		VIP Transport	BD700	1	1
Dassault Falcon 900		VIP Transport	900B	1	1
Airbus 319		VIP Transport	A319CJ	1	1
Fokker F28 Fellowship		VIP Transport	F28-1000	1	1
Trainer Aircraft
Aermacchi MB-339		Lead-in fighter, Light fighter	MB-339AM MB-339CM	10 8	18	Originally 16 in inventory. 6 lost in accident. Were replaced by 8 new MB-339CM. -
Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer		Training aircraft	PC-7 PC-7 Mk II	30[15] 17[15]	47
MD3-160 Aerotiga		Training aircraft	Unknown	20	20
Aérospatiale Alouette III		Training helicopter	SA-316B SA-319B	13	13	Total of 26 received (not including 7× SA-316Bs transferred from Republic of Singapore Air Force in 1978/9), 10 transferred to Malaysian Army Aviation and 20 involved in crash and emergency landing in various incident.
Helicopter and Non Fixed wing Aircraft
Eurocopter EC 725		Transport helicopter, CSAR	Super Cougar / Caracal	12	12
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King		Transport helicopter, SAR	S61A-4 Nuri	17[23]	17[23]	Multipurpose transport and utility. Built by Agusta under license. Carries troops, supplies, rations & humanitarian aid. To be upgraded[24] with new engine, gearbox and rotor blade.12 transferred to Malaysian Army Aviation[25] Armed with 12.7mm HMG[23][26]
Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk		VIP Transport Utility helicopter	S-70 S-70A	2 (4)[26]	6[26]	4 S-70A to be transferred to RMAF from the Royal Brunei Air Force.[27] The chopper will be armed with M134D gatling gun.[26]
Agusta A109		Utility helicopter	A109C	1	1
Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King		VIP Transport	AS-61N1	2	2
UAV
CTRM Aludra[28]		Reconnaissance UAV	Mk.1 and Mk.2	4[29]	Leased UAV uses as coastal surveillance
ScanEagle		Reconnaissance UAV		2[29]	Coastal surveillance
CTRM Eagle ARV		Reconnaissance UAV		1[29]	Reconnaissance UAV

Airbases

RMAF Labuan control tower & radar

Airbases include:

• TUDM Butterworth, Penang (RMAF Butterworth) 5°27′52″N 100°23′28″E / 5.464434°N 100.391178°E / 5.464434; 100.391178, Penang (Base of FA18 Hornets)
• TUDM Kuantan, Pahang (RMAF Kuantan) satellite imagery (Base of MiG-29s)
• TUDM Gong Kedak, Kelantan (RMAF Gong Kedak) satellite imagery (Base of Su-30MKMs)
• TUDM Labuan (RMAF Labuan) (Base of BAE Hawks)
• TUDM Kuala Lumpur (RMAF Simpang)3°06′51″N 101°42′07″E / 3.114120°N 101.701813°E / 3.114120; 101.701813
• TUDM Subang, Selangor (RMAF Subang)3°07′08″N 101°32′40″E / 3.119005°N 101.544399°E / 3.119005; 101.544399, Selangor
• TUDM Kuching, Sarawak (RMAF Kuching)
• TUDM Alor Setar, Kedah (RMAF Alor Setar) (Air Force Academy)
• TUDM Ipoh, Perak (RMAF Ipoh) (Air Force School)
• TUDM Bukit Lunchu Johor (RMAF Skn 323)(Control and Reporting Post)
• TUDM Kinrara, Selangor (RMAF Kinrara) (School of Logistic Management; also houses a central hospital facility)
• TUDM Bukit Jugra, Selangor (RMAF Bukit Jugra) (PASKAU headquarters)
• TUDM Bukit Ibam, Pahang (RMAF Skuadron 322)

Organisation

RMAF personnel performing combat air rescue at Cope Taufan 2012

• 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 – Eurocopter EC-725, Kuantan 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-339CM, 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, KC-130T Subang AFB
• 2nd Division
  • 1 Squadron – CN-235-220M, Kuching AFB
  • 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-339CM, Kuantan AFB

Ranks of the Royal Malaysian Air Force

Until the late 1970s, the Royal Malaysian Air Force used the same officer ranking system as the Royal Air Force. They were replaced by army-style designations and given Malay title equivalents, but the sleeve insignia remained the same mirroring the RAF practice, but all General Officers wear 1 to 5 stars on the shoulder board in addition to the existing sleeve insignia. The list of ranks which are currently used are shown below (in descending order). NCOs and enlisted ranks remained unchanged, and retain their pre-1970s names.

All officers, with the exception of the Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force apply the Air Force acronym (RMAF, TUDM) to their rank title, to differentiate from their Malaysian Army equivalents. For example, a Colonel in the Air Force would be titled Colonel, RMAF or Kolonel, TUDM in Malay.

Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Enlisted personnel

• Warrant Officer 1 (Pegawai Waran 1)
• Warrant Officer 2 (Pegawai Waran 2)
• Flight Sergeant ( Sarjan Penerbangan)
• Air Sergeant (Sarjan Udara)
• Air Corporal (Koperal Udara)
• Leading Aircraftman (Laskar Udara Kanan)
• Aircraftman 1st Class (Laskar Udara I)
• Aircraftman (Laskar Udara II)
• Aircraftman Recruit (Perajurit Muda)

Royal Malaysian Air Force Regiment

Two PASKAU officers on patrol at Langkawi Airport security gate during LIMA 2009

The RMAF Regiment is the ground and air defence support unit of the RMAF. It is composed of the various units of the regiment tasked to fulfill the RMAF's mission and vision. These units are:

• PASKAU TUDM (Special Air Service, RMAF)
• RMAF Provost Unit
• RMAF Infantry
• RMAF Ground Air Defence Artillery

Special Forces

The special arm of the RMAF is known as PASKAU (a Malay acronym for Pasukan Khas Udara, which loosely means 'Special Air Service'), and is 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.^[33] During peacetime, the unit is tasked with responding to aircraft hijacking incidents as well as protecting the country's numerous RMAF airbases and civilian airports. Its wartime roles include ground designation, sabotaging of enemy air assets and equipment and the defence of RMAF aircraft and bases. This unit is also deployed for counter-terrorism duties as well as Urban warfare/Close quarters combat.

RMAF Provost Unit

This is the military police unit of the RMAF Regiment, mandated to provide military police duties in RMAF air bases.

Aerobatic team

The Kris Sakti (English: Magic Dagger) is the recently founded aerobatic display team of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.It makes its debut on 2011 Langkawi International Maritime and Air Show on December 2011. They operated four Extra 300L aircraft.

Missing jet engines scandal

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 an RMAF warehouse in Kuala Lumpur during Najib's tenure as Defence Minister in Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Cabinet. The jet engines belonged to the 12th Squadron (Scorpion) based in Butterworth. The issue became a matter of political dispute,^[34] and it was reported a brigadier-general, 40 other armed forces personnel, had been sacked over the incident.^[35] On 6 January 2010, two Malaysians, an Airman (Sergeant) and a civilian contractor, were charged in connection with the theft and disposal of both engines.^[36]

Engines diverted to Uruguay

On 5 February 2010, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail revealed that the two missing engines had been found in Uruguay with the help of the government there 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 20 December 2007 and 1 January 2008, and sent to a warehouse in Subang Jaya before being shipped out of Malaysia to South America.^[37][38]

Gallery

• 

  Sukhoi Su 30MKM takeoff at LIMA
• 

  A Royal Malaysian Airforce Boeing F/A-18 Hornet during Cope Taufan 2012
• 

  A RMAF Mig-29 on display
• 

  Four RMAF F/A-18 aircraft perform aerial manoeuvres for exhibition crowds
• 

  RMAF Mig-29s manoeuvring at Singapore Airshow 2012
• 

  Su-30MKM and Aermacchi MB-339 aircraft on display during the LIMA 2009

See also

• List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces

References

External links

• www.airforce.gov.my
• Royal Malaysian Air Force overview
• First pic of Malaysias new SU30MKM

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Malaysian Air Force.

• RMAF Official Website
• Malaysian Armed Forces Official Website
• Malaysian Ministry of Defence Official Website
• Scramble, Malaysian Forces Overview, Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM)
• Royal Malaysian Air Force Museum
• Bases and Squadrons

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