Malaysian Army

The flag of Malaysian Army has been introduced since the inception of Malaysia Army and has been in use till today. The shape of it is the combination of Malaysian Flag and Malaysian Army's crest. This flag is the symbol of pride and courageousness of the Malaysian Army.

The flag dimension is 187 centimetres (74 in) (height) and 91.5 centimetres (36.0 in) (wide). The flags are being flown from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm everyday based on certain protocol and honor.

The Malaysian Army currently has 18 Corps and Regiments. These are grouped into 3 main components — the Combat Element, the Combat Support Element and the Support Elements.

The Corps and Regiments are currently organised into five divisions. Three of which (the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Divisions) are based on the Malay Peninsula and placed under Western Field Army Headquarters, while the other two (the 1st Division and 5th Division) are based on Malaysian Borneo and placed under Eastern Field Army Headquarters.

The 21st Special Service Group (the Army's special forces), 10th Parachute Brigade and the two Army Aviation Regiment are independent formations.

The Western Field Army Headquarters, Eastern Field Army Headquarters and two support commands (Army Training and Doctrine Headquarters, and Army Logistics Administration Headquarters) are placed under Army Headquarters (Army Command).

The current Chief of Army (Malay: Panglima Tentera Darat — PTD) is General Dato’ Seri Panglima Ahmad Hasbullah Mohd Nawawi, who succeeded General Tan Sri Zulkiple Hj Kassim on 3 September 2018.[4]

Royal guard of the Malaysian Army outside the main gate of the Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur.

• Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja

The Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja ('Royal Malay Regiment') is the most senior regiment of the Malaysian Army. Its ranks are recruited from amongst the Malay population. The Regiment has 26 battalions. The 1st Battalion, the most senior in the Regiment, currently undertakes ceremonial and Royal Guard duties. The remainder are configured as 19 Standard Infantry Battalions, three Mechanised Infantry Battalions and three Parachute Infantry Battalions. The regiment uses rifle green berets except the three airborne battalions that wear maroon berets.

The 19th Bn Royal Malay Regiment (Mech) was involved in the rescue of U.S. 75th Ranger Regiment and Delta Force operatives in Somalia during the Battle of Mogadishu. The unit of 32 Radpanzer Condor APCs and 113 men from MALBATT 1 went in with the U.S. 10th Mountain Division to rescue the trapped Rangers. Four APCs were immobilised and were destroyed by US helicopter gunships. 19 Royal Malay Regiment suffered 1 soldier killed in action (KIA), PFC Mat Aznan Awang while 8 others were wounded in action (WIA). PFC Mat Aznan Awang was later promoted posthumously to Corporal and was awarded with Pingat Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa, the nation's highest gallantry award. In total, 7 officers and 26 NCOs were awarded various medals for their valour during the operation, the highest number of men recommended for medals in a single unit in a single operation.

• Rejimen Renjer Diraja

Malaysian Army in action during demonstration.

The Rejimen Renjer Diraja ('Royal Ranger Regiment') is a multi-racial unit organised along similar lines to the Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja. There are currently 10 battalions within this regiment. The Regiment traces its roots to the Sarawak Rangers and the Sarawak Constabulary, famed jungle trackers who had a deadly reputation during the Malayan Emergency and during the Communist Party of Malaya’s insurgency in Malaysia. The 8th Bn Royal Ranger Regiment (8 Renjer) was the first infantry battalion in the Malaysian Army to undergo conversion into an airborne battalion. The unit is currently assigned to the elite 10th Parachute Brigade. The Malaysian Army's most decorated soldier, WOI (Rtd) Kanang anak Langkau was a Regimental Sergeant Major of 8 Ranger.

• Rejimen Sempadan

The Rejimen Sempadan ('Border Regiment') is a newly created regiment from the 300 series Territorial Army units in charge of the border. The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Najib Razak, announced on 1 July 2006 the formation of a new regiment specifically for border patrol. Members of the regiment will be taken from various regiments and corps, most notably from the Rejimen Askar Wataniah. It is believed that the army will form about 2 to 3 brigades of this new regiment.[6] The new regiment was officially raised on 9 February 2008 by Najib Razak at Tanah Merah, Kelantan.[7]

• Kor Armor Diraja

PT-91M Pendekar MBT on display.

The Kor Armor Diraja ('Royal Armoured Corps') provides the armour capability for the Malaysian Army. Currently, the Corps consists of 5 battalions (sometimes referred to as Regiments), which are equipped with various armoured personnel carriers (SIBMAS AFSV-90, Rheinmetall Condor, K-200 MIFV) and light combat vehicles. Rejimen ke-11 of the Kor Armor Diraja is the sole user of 48 PT-91M Main Battle Tanks from Poland.

• Rejimen Artileri Diraja

The Rejimen Artileri Diraja ('Royal Artillery Regiment') is the artillery corps of the Malaysian Army and provides artillery support and local air defence for army units. The regiment is equipped with 36 Brazilian-made Astros II multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and 28 G5 MkIII towed artillery guns from South Africa. Air defence is provided using a mix of Swiss Oerlikon twin 35 mm and Swedish Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft artillery and missile systems such as the Jernas and Starburst from the UK, Anza from Pakistan, FN-6 from China and Igla from Russia. Malaysia committed to purchase Starstreak V-Shorads missiles from the UK in 2015.[8]

• Rejimen Semboyan Diraja

The Rejimen Semboyan Diraja ('Royal Signals Regiment') is in charge of strategic communication, tactical communications, electronic warfare and early warning systems such as radar.

• Kor Polis Tentera Diraja

ACV-300 Adnan on parade.

The Kor Polis Tentera Diraja ('Royal Military Police Corps') deploys as part of the field army, in support of army operations, and enforces proper conduct among army personnel. Aside from being responsible for base security, the military police are also tasked with preventing and investigating criminal activities on army property or by military personnel.

• Rejimen Askar Jurutera Diraja

The Rejimen Askar Jurutera Diraja ('Royal Engineers Regiment') is tasked with demolitions, bridge-laying and the repair of military infrastructure, such as airbase runways, or clearing obstacles in emergency situations.

• Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera Diraja

The Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera Diraja ('Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps') is responsible for the maintenance of all vehicles and machinery of the Malaysian Army.

• Kor Risik Diraja

The Kor Risik Diraja ('Royal Intelligence Corps') specialises in psychological warfare (psyops), surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance and counter-intelligence operations. Aside from handling propaganda and counter-propaganda, the corps is also tasked with conducting background checks on recruits when they first enroll in any training courses. There are two Army combat elements attached to the Kor Risik Diraja.

• Kor Ordnans Diraja

The Kor Ordnans Diraja ('Royal Ordnance Corps') ensures that all military supplies and ordnance are stored, secured and inventoried properly.

• Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera

AV-8 Gempita on display.

The Kor Agama Angkatan Tentera (KAGAT; 'Armed Forces Religious Corps') performs religious (chaplainry) services for Muslim and Christian personnel of the Malaysian Army. It also provides counselling and conducts ritual prayers on the battlefield.

• Kor Perkhidmatan Diraja

The Kor Perkhidmatan Diraja ('Royal Logistics Corps') is in charge of transporting troops and supplies to the various units of the Malaysian Army.

• Kor Kesihatan Diraja

The Kor Kesihatan Diraja ('Royal Medical Corps') provides training for Army medics and other specialists. It runs the Armed Forces hospitals and provides the battlefield mobile hospitals. The unit has also provided relief MALMEDTIMs (Malaysian Medical Teams) to Pakistan, Afghanistan,[9] Western Sahara, Indonesia and Palestine.

• Kor Perkhidmatan Am

The Kor Perkhidmatan Am ('General Services Corps') handles administration and financial management for the entire army.

Paratroopers from 10 Para Brigade preparing to march for the 59th Merdeka Day parade.

• 21 Grup Gerak Khas

The 21 Grup Gerak Khas (21 GGK; '21st Special Service Group') is the Malaysian Army's special forces and commando unit. 21 GGK is one of the two Elite forces in the Malaysian Army. 21 GGK is the operational home of various specialists and the Commando regiments, which are capable of conducting unconventional warfare or special operations. One of the known foreign operations involving this regiment was in an attack by Somali militia on a convoy transporting UN Intelligence Chief in UNOSOM II on 18 July 1994. In the action, two members of the regiment were killed in action, while another four were wounded. One of the injured men was taken hostage by the militia and was released nine hours later.

• 10th Parachute Brigade

The 10th Parachute Brigade (10 Para Bde; Malay: 10 Briged Payung Terjun — 10 Bgd Para) is an elite airborne unit tasked with being rapidly deployed inside or outside the boundaries of Malaysia. 10 Para is the key element of the Malaysian Rapid Deployment Force (Malay: Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat — PAC) and it is Malaysia primary main offensive force in time of war or emergencies.

Malaysian Army Agusta A-109E LUH, armed with 20mm gun and rockets for area suppression.

Corps and Regiments of the Malaysian Army

• Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat

The Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat ('Army Air Corps') is the Army Aviation branch formed around a core of Royal Malaysian Air Force officers. This new Army formation is tasked with liaison duties, providing limited transport capabilities, close air support and also air reconnaissance using light observation helicopters. The unit currently has two squadron, 881 Army Aviation Regiment and 882 Army Aviation Regiment. The main Army Air Corps base is located in Kluang, Johor. As 2019, the Air Corps is equipped with 10 AgustaWestland AW109 light helicopters and 14 Sikorsky S61A-4 medium helicopter.[10][11]

• Rejimen Askar Wataniah

The Rejimen Askar Wataniah ('Territorial Army Regiment') forms the second line of Malaysia's defence. Formed by college students, professionals and civilians, it provides support for the regular armed forces of Malaysia and is responsible for the security of key installations in times of conflict. Originally tasked with area and local defence, the Rejimen Askar Wataniah units have been reconfigured and will perform front line duties alongside regular units when the need arises. Rejimen Askar Wataniah units, such as armoured squadrons, are integral units of several Kor Armor Diraja regiments.

• Batalion Siap Sedia Tentera Darat

The Batalion Siap Sedia Tentera Darat (BSSTD; 'Army Rapid Battalion — ARB') is a combat ready battalion of the Malaysian Army. The ARB can be deployed to overseas conflict areas in short notice under order of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN DPKO). The battalion consists of multiple capabilities, including special operations, armour, infantry and Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence (CBRN defence).[12] Currently, the 7th Battalion, Royal Ranger Regiment (Mechanised) (7 RRD (Mek)) is assigned as the main combat element for the ARB. The 7 RRD (Mek) is supported by various corps and regiments, including special ops operators from the Malaysian Army counter-terrorism regiment, the 11th Special Service Regiment.[13]

The Malaysian Army currently has a soldier modernisation programme called the Future Soldier System. Under the FSS, The Malaysian Army plans to equip all soldiers with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) such as Kevlar helmets, Kevlar vests, Oakley goggles and ear protection equipment. The programme also includes arming all the standard issue M4 carbines with SOPMOD kits, as well as equipping soldiers with a Glock series pistol.[18][19] Sapura, a Malaysian electronics company, is offering their SAKTI soldier system concept via work in three areas: Head Sub-System (HSS), Body Sub-System (BSS) and Weapon Sub-System (WSS). The HSS consists of a Helmet–Mounted Micro Camera and night vision capability with a data output, helmet-mounted display and earpiece and microphone; the WSS consists of a Rifle Control Unit consisting of a five-button wireless controller for one handed use with key features including push to talk for the radio, switching the HMD on and off, turning the HMD brightness up and down as well as video transmission to friendly forces. The BSS consists of a controller system, energy unit with a power pack for the communication interface, micro-camera and HMD with a single polymer lithium ion battery for up to ten hours of operation; a communications interface for secure IP based radio which from the image is a Thales St@rmille radio and finally a navigation unit with a display for blue force tracking and situational awareness, colour digital mapping and terrain and urban profile analysis. The system displayed is visually similar to the Kord Defence SmartGrip RIC developed in partnership with Thales Australia.[20] The FSS in conjunction with the NCO (Network Centric Operation) System, will give the three branches of the Armed Forces a shared situational awareness and a common operating picture via a X-band satellite-based link and a UAV system, with hopes to enable self-synchronisation for all three branches.[21] The programme will go through several phases, with Phasa 1A (the implementation of the Mobile X-band satellite communication linked) and Phase 2 (the demonstration of the capibilities of the NCO with FSS) being successful and operational in 2017.[22] In 2018, during the annual DSA convention, the Malaysian Army showcased a joint exercise between the NCO systems via Army Operations Room and Soldiers equipped with FSS systems, where the Army Operations Room coordinated the Soldiers doing numerous activities, first being a live firing of a 3-man squad involving the usage of artillery and how precise the accuracy of the artilleries via the NCO and FSS equipment, second being in an Army Training centre, and last being a real simulation operation in East Malaysia.[23] Currently, several combat elements such as the 12th Royal Malay Regiment and the 4th Mechanised Brigate are outfitted with the system. Through the use of this system, the Malaysian Army is able to operate anywhere throughout the world, especially during United Nations Operations.