| Unit Name: | Royal Malaysian Air Force |
| Start Date: | (founded as the Malayan Auxiliary Air force in 1936) |
| Country: |  Malaysia |
| Type: | Air force |
| Role: | Aerial warfare |
| Command Structure: | Malaysian Armed Forces |
| March: | "Warriors in the Skies" |
| Anniversaries: | 2 June |
| Commander1: | HRH Al-Sultan Abdullah of Pahang |
| Commander1 Label: | Colonel-in-Chief |
| Commander2: | General Tan Sri Dato' Sri Mohd Asghar Khan bin Goriman Khan |
| Commander2 Label: | Chief of Air Force |
| Commander3: | Lieutenant General Dato' Sri Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris |
| Commander3 Label: | Deputy Chief of the Air Force |
| Commander4: | Warrant Officer I Ahmad Maulana bin Ab Ghafar |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Roundel |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Fin flash |
| Identification Symbol 3 Label: | Ensign |
| Identification Symbol 4 Label: | Logo |
| Aircraft Fighter: | Su-30MKM, F/A-18 Hornet, Hawk 208 |
| Aircraft Helicopter: | UH-60, EC 725, AW139 |
| Aircraft Patrol: | CN-235MSA, Super King Air |
| Aircraft Trainer: | Hawk 108, PC-7, Super King Air |
| Aircraft Transport: | A400M, C-130, CN-235, 737 |
| Aircraft Tanker: | KC-130 |
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF, ms|Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia; TUDM; Jawi: Malay: تنترا اودارا دراج مليسيا) was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan Tanah Melayu; Malay: تنترا اودارا دراج ڤرسكوتون تانه ملايو). 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. The Royal Malaysian Air Force operates a mix of modern American, European and Russian-made aircraft.
The Malaysian air forces trace their lineage to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force formations of the Royal Air Force (RAF) formed in 1934. They later transformed into the Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force (SSVAF) and the Malayan Volunteers Air Force (MVAF) formed in 1940 and dissolved in 1942 during the height of the Japanese advance over Malaya. The latter was re-established 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 (RFMAF), this date is celebrated as RMAF Day yearly, the Royal title granted by Parliament in honor of its contributions to national defence during the Emergency and the transition to independent status.
On 25 October 1962, after the end of the Malayan Emergency, the RAF handed over their first airfields in Malaya to the RFMAF, at Simpang Airport; it was opened 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 RMAF was limited initially to communications and the support of ground operations against Communist insurgents during the Malayan Emergency. RMAF received its first combat aircraft with the delivery of 20 Canadair CL41G Tebuans (an armed version of the Canadair Tutor trainer). RMAF also received Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters, to be used in the liaison role.
With the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963, the name of the air 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. RMAF received Sikorsky S-61A-4 helicopters in the late 1960s and early 1970s which were used in the transport role. RMAF gained an air defence capability when the Australian Government donated 10 ex-Royal Australian Air Force (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 Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) agreement between Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom was concluded to ensure defence against external aggression. The RAAF maintained two Mirage IIIO squadrons at RAF/RAAF Station Butterworth, Butterworth Air Base as part of its commitment to the FPDA. These squadrons were withdrawn in 1986, although occasional deployments of RAAF aircraft continue.
With the withdrawal of British military forces, RMAF underwent gradual modernisation from the 1970s to the 1990s. The Sabre were replaced by 16 Northrop F-5E Tiger-IIs. A reconnaissance capability was acquired with the purchase of two RF-5E Tigereye aircraft. RMAF 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). RMAF 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 RMAF consider purchases from Russia and other non-traditional sources. The 1990s 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 18 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 18 MRCAs remains unfulfilled. RMAF 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. By March 2017, all Malaysian A400Ms were delivered.[1] 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 Razak notified the public that the MiG-29 would continue in service until 2010. Later that year, Najib announced the Sikorsky S-61A4 Nuri 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.[2] 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 Nuri would occur in early 2008.[3] At the 12th Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition 2010,[4] a Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed for 12 EC725 helicopters to be supplied to the RMAF.[5]
The RMAF has multiple ongoing procurement programs for combat, utility and maritime patrol aircraft.
See main article: Chief of Air Force (Malaysia).
See main article: Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces. 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.
The RMAF Regiment is the ground and air defence support unit of the RMAF. The regiment is composed of five sub-units tasked with fulfilling the RMAF's mission.These units are:
HANDAU is the former name given to RMAF special forces PASKAU. HANDAU is presently tasked with on-base security as security troopers. They can be called to any special tasks (notably counter terrorism) along with any armed incidents which may occur on base and can be called to assist RMAF provost officers in handling armed incidents. Their roles are not to be confused with the now PASKAU and the RMAF Provost Unit (which is tasked with upholding military law on base) as they primarily serve as on-ground security combat forces (modelled after the US Air Force Security Forces). HANDAU and PASKAU are now separated into two different units with one serving as a special force of the RMAF and the other as on base security troopers and a ground security combat force. They can be recognised by their standard RMAF berets with the HANDAU cap badge and their vests with the text "HANDAU".
See main article: Kris Sakti. The Kris Sakti (en|Magic Dagger) is the aerobatic display team of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It made its debut on 2011 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in December 2011. They operated four Extra 300L aircraft.[6]
The Smokey Bandits is the aircraft aerobatic display team under the Royal Malaysian Air Force. This team operates five Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter aircraft and based in RMAF Kuantan. The team's name is taken from the smoke emissions from two Russian-made fighter aircraft engines when operating at full thrust. The team was first established in 2001.[7] [8]
As of November 2024 the structure is as follows:[9]
| Royal Malaysian Air Force | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Commands | |||
| Name | Commander | Air Base | |
| Air Operations Command | Lt. Gen. Datuk Mohd Shahada Ismail | ||
| Air Educations and Training Command | Lt. Gen. Dato' Nur Hafis Abdul Karim | ||
| Air Support Command | Lt. Gen. Dato’ Hj Mohammad Salleh Hj Osman | Subang | |
| Air Region 1 | Kuantan | ||
| Air Region 2 | Labuan | ||
| RMAF Reserve Headquarters | |||
| Air Region 1 | |||
| Name | Equipment | Air Base | |
| 2 Squadron | Global Express, Boeing BBJ (737-700) | Subang | |
| 3 Squadron | AgustaWestland AW139 | Butterworth | |
| 8 Squadron | Airbus A400M | Subang | |
| 10 Squadron | Eurocopter EC725 | Kuantan | |
| 11 Squadron | UAS | Labuan | |
| 12 Squadron | Su-30MKM Flanker | Gong Kedak | |
| 15 Squadron | BAE Hawk 108/208 | Butterworth | |
| 16 Squadron | Beechcraft 200T | Subang | |
| 17 Squadron | Butterworth | ||
| 18 Squadron | Boeing F/A-18D Hornet | Butterworth | |
| 20 Squadron | Lockheed C-130H Hercules, KC-130T | Subang | |
| 21 Squadron | CN235-220M, CN235-220M VIP | Subang | |
| Air Region 2 | |||
| Name | Equipment | Air Base | |
| 1 Squadron | CN-235-220M | Kuching | |
| 5 Squadron | Eurocopter EC725 | Labuan | |
| 6 Squadron | BAE Hawk 108/Hawk 208 | Labuan | |
| 14 Squadron | Lockheed C-130H Hercules | Labuan | |
| Training Division | |||
| Name | Equipment | Air Base | |
| 1 FTC | PC-7 Mk II | Alor Setar | |
| 2 FTC | EC-120B | Alor Setar | |
| 3 FTC | Kuantan | ||
List:
See main article: List of equipment of the Royal Malaysian Air Force and List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
While the RMAF has traditionally looked to the West for its purchases, primarily the United States and Europe, it has also recently looked to Russia and other non-traditional sources for its modernisation programs.[10]
Faced with aging MiG-29 and F-5 aircraft, the RMAF began its Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) acquisition program in 2011, with a planned entry of service date between 2015 and 2016. While it was initially reported that the RMAF was seeking to procure 18 aircraft,[11] [12] this number rose to 24 to 40 new aircraft in 2014 with a budget reported between $1.8 and $2.4 billion dollars.[13] According to then minister of defence Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, only Western manufactured aircraft were being considered. Four companies were shortlisted; Boeing, BAE Systems, Dassault Group, Saab AB, each offering their respective F/A-18 Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, JAS 39 Gripen aircraft.[14]
The program was put on hold indefinitely in 2014 as a result of budget restrictions and the forthcoming Eleventh Malaysia Plan, which covers government spending from 2016 to 2020. In response, Dassault offered a financial package consisting of a loan with a ten-year repayment plan guaranteed by the French government.[15] This was countered by Saab, which offered a leasing deal,[16] as did BAE Systems,[17] which also offered to set up a local facility for maintenance and repair with possible financing by the British government.[18] The Russian defence export corporation, Rosoboronexport, which previously supplied the Royal Malaysian Air Force with the Sukhoi Su-30MKM expressed its readiness to discuss the prospect of establishing joint licensed production facilities in Malaysia in 2016.[19]
By 2016, the choice was narrowed down to either Dassault Rafale or Eurofighter Typhoon, with the former reportedly favoured by officials within the defence ministry. However, as a result of economic uncertainty as well as the rise of Islamist militancy in the region (see the Siege of Marawi in the neighbouring Philippines), immediate priority shifted from procuring new combat aircraft to increasing surveillance capability and the MRCA program was put on hold again with the a final decision only expected as late as 2020.[20] [21] [22]
With economic difficulties hindering the completion of MRCA program, then deputy defence minister Ikmal Hisham announced that the government would seek to purchase the Kuwaiti Air Force's F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet, which it was phasing out in favour of newer aircraft in 2021.[23] In June 2023, it was announced that the Kuwaiti government had renewed a contract to provide technical and maintenance services for the F/A-18C/D Hornet aircraft, ruling out the sale.[24]
In 2018, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program began with the aim of replacing the RMAF's Aermacchi MB-339 and BAE Systems Hawk fleet with 36 new aircraft as fighter-lead in trainers as well as light combat aircraft.[25] Eight designs were submitted during the initial phase of the program, with the major contenders being the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master, HAL Tejas and KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, while the Aero L-39NG, Boeing T-7 Red Hawk, Hongdu L-15 Falcon, Yakovlev Yak-130 and CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder were considered unlikely to be selected owing to their relatively new designs as well as the possibility of United States Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions.[26] The Saab Gripen was later added onto the RMAF's list of aircraft being considered, replacing the Boeing T-7 Red Hawk.[27]
The program in its initial form was approved in 2019 with funding slated for 2021. It was renamed the Fighter-Lead In Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT-LCA) program in the government's defence white paper in 2020 and launched as an open tender, the first time the government has done so for procuring military aircraft in the country in 2021. Six designs were submitted, Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master, HAL Tejas, KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, Hondu L-15 Falcon, Mikoyan MiG-35 and TAI Hürjet.[28] The tender was eventually won by the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle in 2022 but challenged and reported to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, as the decision to award the tender was made by a caretaker government.[29] The subsequent Malaysian government eventually placed an order for 18 'Block 20' variants, which feature an AESA radar, a Link 16 tactical data link, the capability for inflight refueling and a Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod in 2023 with a deal worth $920 million dollars and the deliveries set to begin by October 2026 and lasting until June 2027.[30] It is likely that another 18 KAI T-50 Golden Eagles will be ordered in 2027, which would bring the total up to 36 aircraft.[31]
In March 2024, it was reported that six Royal Malaysian Air Force pilots would begin training in early 2026 on the FA-50 at a Republic of Korea Air Force airbase in Gwangju.[32]
The RMAF expressed a need for increasing its martime patrol capability with new aircraft as early as 2011, but budgetary constraints meant approval for new acquisitions wasn't given until 2017.[33] Four designs were shortlisted to replace the RMAF's aging fleet of Beechcraft Super King Air, namely the Airbus C-295, Boeing P-8 Poseidon, ATR 72 and CASA/IPTN CN-235, which can be acquired from CASA (an Airbus subsidiary) or Indonesian Aerospace, with procurement to begin in 2021.[34] It was reported as late as 2019 that the Japanese government had offered its surplus P-3C Orion aircraft but that it was unlikely the Malaysian government would accept.[35]
In 2018, the Malaysian government signed a contract with Indonesian Aerospace to convert three of the RMAF's existing CN-235 transport planes into maritime patrol aircraft.[36] In 2020, funding was secured from the United States' Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) and conversions began the same year,[37] and all three aircraft were formally handed over in 2024.[38]
In 2022, it was reported that the Malaysian government had finalised a tender[39] and a contract worth $172 million for two ATR 72-600 maritime patrol variants was awarded to Leonardo, one of ATR's parent companies in 2023.[40] The deal, described by the Malaysian defence minister as the first phase will see deliveries begin in 2026.[41]
In 2018, the RMAF announced its Capability Plan 2025 (CAP55), which details its plans up to 2025. It intends to operate a squadron of airborne early warning and control aircraft, which it currently does not possess. Saab had previously offered two Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft in a package deal with its Gripen fighters as part of the MRCA program in 2014.[42] Saab has also previously signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) concerning airborne early warning and control systems with Malaysian company DRB-HICOM, which owns DefTech, a local defence contractor.[43]
As a part of the modernization program, Malaysia also intends to acquire six MALE UAV.[44] Malaysian government has issues a MALE UAV tender in 2020 and it is expected the procurement will take place in 2021.[45] The major contenders of this project would be the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, TAI Anka, Bayraktar TB2, Safran Patroller, Thales Watchkeeper WK450, Kronshtadt Orion, CAIG Wing Loong and CASC Rainbow.[46]
As of March 2022, it is reported the program is currently undergoing physical evaluation stage which has been shortlisted by the Procurement Board of the Ministry of Defence, and this process is still ongoing.[47]
In October 2022, Malaysia's Defence Minister, Hishammudin Hussein announced that the TAI Anka is selected for the procurement of three MALE-UAS units.[48]
In 2007, Najib Razak announced that the Sikorsky S-61A4 Nuri helicopter in service since 1968 would be phased out by 2012 and replaced by the Eurocopter EC725. 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 Nuri would occur in early 2008. At the 12th Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition 2010, a Letter of Agreement (LoA) was signed for 12 EC725 helicopters to be supplied to the RMAF. With that, EADS, (the European Aeronautical Defence and Space Company), 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 Eurocopter EC725 military version and the Eurocopter EC225 civilian model.[49]
Although there was a plan to replace all the Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri, due to budget constraints the government only managed to buy 12 Eurocopter EC725. For this reason, Nuri helicopters were still active in service until 2019. In LIMA 2019, Malaysia also expressed interest to buy Mil Mi-171 (modified armed version for Mil Mi-17) from Russia. It was reported on 7 January 2020 that the RMAF grounded its Nuri helicopters and RMAF General Ackbal Abdul Samad remarked that there was an evaluation of a new utility helicopter to replace all the remaining Nuri.[50]
In 2021, four AgustaWestland AW139 were leased from a Malaysian aviation company, Weststar Aviation, as temporary replacement before the eventual procurement of new 24 helicopters to replace the S-61A4 Nuri.[51]
In 2019, it is confirmed that RMAF sought for three new ground-based radar. The major contenders of this project would be the Thales Ground Master 400, Selex RAT-31, Giraffe radar and Lockheed Martin TPS-77 MMR.[52]
In 2021, it is reported the US Department of Defense has 'gifted' an export version of Lockheed Martin TPS-77 MMR to Malaysia in order to provide secure interoperable C3I (Command Control Communications and Intelligence) and sensor systems supporting U.S. Joint Air Operations to US Government FMS (Foreign Military Sales) customers.[53] [54] Through LIMA 2023, Malaysia has awarded Thales for the procurement of one unit Ground Master 400 radar for the RMAF.[55]
In 2021, it was confirmed that RMAF sought for a regiment of medium-range air defence system to improve the national air defence capabilities.[56] The contenders for the program are still unknown.
In 2014, a Malaysian private company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese defence firm to acquire Chinese LY-80 medium range air defence missile, but the government of Malaysia did not endorse it.[57] [58]