Rejimen Artileri Diraja

Royal Artillery Regiment
Rejimen Artileri Diraja
Crest of Rejimen Artileri DiRaja
Active	15 August 1957–present
Country	Malaysia
Branch	Malaysian Army
Type	Artillery
Role	Direct / indirect fire support Air defence
Part of	Malaysian Armed Forces
Motto(s)	Tangkas Tegas Saksama
Commanders
Colonel-In-chief	HM Tuanku Muhammad V, the King of Malaysia, Al-Sultan of Kelantan

The Rejimen Artileri DiRaja (Royal Artillery Regiment) is the artillery corps of the Malaysian Army. Rejimen Artileri DiRaja was formed in Kajang on 15 August 1957 when a single battery was formed, drawn from Malay personnel formerly serving with the British Army's Royal Regiment of Artillery. Today Rejimen Artileri DiRaja is a modern fighting arm providing direct fire support to Malaysian Army units using field artillery pieces and MLRS.

History

In 1957, an officer from Malaya Command was sent to Singapore to invite Malayan citizens serving with the 1st Singapore Artillery regiment to return home and serve with the Federation Artillery Battery. The drive succeeded in recruiting 89 personnel of 1 Singapore Artillery to return and serve with the Federation Army.

On 15 August 1957, the 1st Field Battery, Federation Army was formed in Kajang with the 89 members at the core. The battery was equipped with the British 25 pounder field gun and was commanded by Major Sherston Baker, Royal Artillery. succeeded Major M. Barkeley RA was Major Rowe and on 1 January 1962 the 1st Regiment Federation Artillery was formed under Lt Col W E Black.

Colonel In Chief And Regimental Motto

H.R.H. Tuanku Al-Sultan Muhammad V, the Sultan of Kelantan is the Colonel-In-chief of the Rejimen Artileri DiRaja (Royal Artillery Regiment) since 13 September 2010. He is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces when he assumed office aa the 15th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on 13 December 2016 for a term of 5 years.

The regimental Motto is "TANGKAS TEGAS SAKSAMA".

Role

The main role of Rejimen Artileri DiRaja is to provide direct and indirect artillery fire support in the fields of operations. The modern Rejimen Artileri DiRaja is equipped with a variety of equipment and fulfils a wide range of roles, including observation, Airborne Artillery, Armoured (Mechanised) Artillery, Long Range Missile Systems and Air defence. Regular units of the Rejimen Artileri DiRaja are complemented by members of the Askar Wataniah, which presently provide 5 Artillery Batteries.

Equipment

ASTROS-II multiple rocket launcher

MBDA Rapier

Rejimen Artileri DiRaja is equipped with Field Artillery pieces, Multiple Launched Rocket Launchers, Anti Aircraft Artillery and Air Defence Missiles. Presently the inventory of Rejimen Artileri DiRaja includes:

• Astros II MLRS
• FH-70 155mm Towed Howitzer
• OTO Melara Mod 56 105mm Pack Howitzer
• Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon (GDF-005 variant) and 15 FCU Skyguard Radar Systems
• Bofors 40 mm (L70 variant)
• G5 howitzer

References