Royal Malaysian Air Force
Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia تنترا اودارا دراج مليسيا
Crest of the Royal Malaysian Air Force
Founded	2 June 1958; 67 years ago (1958-06-02)(founded as the Malayan Auxiliary Air force in 1936)
Country	Malaysia
Type	Air force
Role	Aerial warfare
Size	15,000 personnel[1][2] 125 aircraft(seeEquipment of the Royal Malaysian Air Force)
Part of	Malaysian Armed Forces
Mottos	Sentiasa di Angkasa Raya (Always in the Sky)
Colours	Sky Blue    Dark Blue    Yellow
March	Perwira di Angkasa (Warriors in the Sky)
Anniversaries	2 June
Engagements	Malayan Emergency Sarawak Communist Insurgency Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation Communist Insurgency in Malaysia MALCON–UNIFIL ISAF MVBunga Laurel Hijacking Cross Border Attacks in Sabah 2013 Lahad Datu Standoff MTOrkim Harmony Hijacking
Website	airforce.mil.my
Commanders
Air Commodore-in-Chief	HRH Al-Sultan Abdullah ofPahang
Chief of Air Force	General Dato' SriMuhamad Norazlan bin Aris
Deputy Chief of Air Force	Lieutenant General Dato' Nur Hafis bin Abdul Karim
Regimental Sergeant Major of RMAF	Warrant Officer I Ahmad Maulana bin Ab Ghafar
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Ensign
Logo
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Su-30MKM,F/A-18D Hornet,Hawk 208
Helicopter	S-70A,EC 725,AW139
Patrol	CN-235MSA,Super King Air
Reconnaissance	Anka-S
Trainer	Hawk 108,PC-7,Super King Air,EC120
Transport	A400M,C-130H,CN-235,A319CJ,BD-700
Tanker	KC-130T

TheRoyal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF,Malay:Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia; TUDM;Jawi:تنترا اودارا دراج مليسيا) was formed on 2 June 1958 as theRoyal Federation of Malaya Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan Tanah Melayu;تنترا اودارا دراج ڤرسكوتون تانه ملايو). However, its roots can be traced back to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force formations of the BritishRoyal Air Force in then-colonialBritish Malaya. The Royal Malaysian Air Force operates a mix of modernAmerican,European andRussian-made aircraft.

The Malaysian air forces trace their lineage to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force formations of theRoyal Air Force (RAF) formed in 1934. They later transformed into theStraits Settlements Volunteer Air Force (SSVAF) and the Malayan Volunteers Air Force (MVAF) formed in 1940 and dissolved in 1942 during the height of theJapanese advance over Malaya. The latter was re-established in 1950 in time for theMalayan 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, atSimpang Airport; it was opened on 1 June 1941, inSungai Besi,Kuala Lumpur which was formerly part ofSelangor and the national capital city. The first aircraft for the fledgling air force was aScottish Aviation Twin Pioneer named "Lang Rajawali" by the then Prime MinisterTunku 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 theMalayan Emergency. RMAF received its first combat aircraft with the delivery of 20CanadairCL41G Tebuans (an armed version of the Canadair Tutor trainer). RMAF also receivedAérospatiale Alouette III helicopters, to be used in the liaison role.

With the formation ofMalaysia 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 theHandley Page Herald transport and theDe Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou. RMAF receivedSikorskyS-61A-4 helicopters in the late 1960s and early 1970s which were used in the transport role. RMAF gained an air defence capability when theAustralian Government donated 10 ex-Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)CAC Sabre fighters. These were based at theButterworth Air Base. After the withdrawal of British military forces from Malaysia and Singapore at the end of 1971, aFive Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) agreement between Malaysia,Singapore,New Zealand,Australia, and theUnited Kingdom was concluded to ensure defence against external aggression. The RAAF maintained twoMirage 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. TheSabre were replaced by 16Northrop F-5E Tiger-IIs. A reconnaissance capability was acquired with the purchase of two RF-5E Tigereye aircraft. RMAF also purchased 88 ex-US NavyDouglas A-4C Skyhawks, of which 40 of the airframes were converted/refurbished byGrumman Aircraft Engineering atBethpage 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 theAIM-120 AMRAAM fire-and-forget air-to-air missile, has made RMAF consider purchases fromRussia and other non-traditional sources. The 1990s saw the arrival of first theBAE Hawk Mk108/208 which replaced the T/A-4PTMs, followed by theMiG-29N/NUB in 1995 in the air superiority role and delivery of theF/A-18D Hornet in 1997 to provide an all weather interdiction capability. In 2003 a contract was signed for 18Su-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 anAWACS aircraft, although no firm orders have been placed.

On 8 December 2005, fourAirbus Military A400M aircraft were ordered to enhance the airlift capability. By March 2017, all Malaysian A400Ms were delivered.^[3] In late 2006, the Government signed a contract to purchase eightAermacchi MB-339CMs to add to the eight MB-339AMs already in service.

In March 2007, then-Deputy Prime Minister and Defence MinisterNajib Razak notified the public that theMiG-29 would continue in service until 2010. Later that year, Najib announced theSikorsky 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 theEurocopter EC725.^[4] 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.^[5] At the 12th Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition 2010,^[6] a Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed for 12 EC725 helicopters to be supplied to the RMAF.^[7]

The RMAF has multipleongoing procurement programs for combat, utility and maritime patrol aircraft.

Until the late 1970s, the Royal Malaysian Air Force used the sameofficer 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.

Rank group	General / flag officers										Senior officers						Junior officers
	Commander-in-Chief		Generals								Senior officers						Junior officers								Officer Cadets
	Pemerintah Tertinggi		Pegawai Tinggi								Pegawai Kanan						Pegawai Muda								Pegawai Kadet
Royal Malaysian Air Force[8] v t e
	Marsyal tentera udara		Jeneral TUDM		Leftenan jeneral TUDM		Mejar jeneral TUDM		Brigedier jeneral TUDM		Kolonel TUDM		Leftenan kolonel TUDM		Mejar TUDM		Kapten TUDM		Leftenan TUDM			Leftenan muda TUDM

All officers, with the exception of theMarshal 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 orKolonel, TUDM in Malay.

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
	Warrant Officers								Senior Non-Commissioned Officers														Junior Non-Commissioned Officers						Others
	Pegawai Waran								Pegawai Tanpa Tauliah Kanan														Pegawai Tanpa Tauliah Rendah						Lain-lain
Royal Malaysian Air Force v t e																													No insignia						No insignia
	Pegawai waran udara I						Pegawai waran udara II		Flait sarjan		Sarjan udara												Koperal udara				Laskar udara kanan		Laskar udara I						Laskar udara II	Perajurit muda

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:

PASKAU

Thespecial forces arm of the RMAF is known asPASKAU (a Malay acronym forPasukan Khas Udara, which loosely translates as 'Special Air Service'). PASKAU was formed in response to amortar attack by the then Communist Party of Malaya on aDHC-4 Caribou in the 1970s at the Kuala Lumpur Air Base. 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 asUrban warfare/Close quarters combat.

HANDAU

HANDAU is the former name given to RMAFspecial forcesPASKAU. HANDAU is presently tasked with on-base security assecurity 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 theUS 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".

RMAF Provost Unit

This is the military police unit of the RMAF regiment, mandated to provide military police duties in RMAF airbases.

RMAF Infantry

The unit that is equipped with firearms for combat duties. They are tasked as a support element for airforce special forces and areheliborne trained.

RMAF Ground Air Defence Artillery

This regiment responsible for providing air defense protection by usingGround Base Air Defence (GBAD) to the important places such as airbases as well as RMAF asset.

The Kris Sakti (English:Magic Dagger) is the aerobatic display team of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It made its debut on 2011Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in December 2011. They operated fourExtra 300L aircraft.^[9]

The Smokey Bandits is the aircraft aerobatic display team under the Royal Malaysian Air Force. This team operates fiveMikoyan MiG-29 fighter aircraft and based inRMAF 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.^[10]

As of November 2024 the structure is as follows:^[11]

Butterworth

Kuantan

Gong Kedak

Labuan

Kuala Lumpur

Subang

Kuching

Alor Setar

Ipoh

Bukit Lunchu

Kinrara

Jugra

Bukit Ibam

Sendayan

class=notpageimage|

Air bases: Training bases: Other bases:

• TUDMButterworth,Penang (RMAF Butterworth) (Base ofF/A-18 Hornets)
• TUDMKuantan,Pahang (RMAF Kuantan)
• TUDM Gong Kedak,Kelantan (RMAF Gong Kedak) (Base ofSu-30MKMs)
• TUDMLabuan,Sabah (RMAF Labuan) (Base ofBAE Hawks)
• TUDMKuala Lumpur (RMAF Kuala Lumpur)
• TUDMSubang,Selangor (RMAF Subang)
• TUDMKuching,Sarawak (RMAF Kuching)
• TUDMAlor Setar,Kedah (RMAF Alor Setar) (Air Force College)
• TUDMIpoh,Perak (RMAF Ipoh) (Air Force School)
• TUDM Bukit Lunchu,Johor (RMAF Bukit Lunchu) (Control and Reporting Post)
• TUDMKinrara,Selangor (RMAF Kinrara) (School of Logistic Management; also houses a central hospital facility)
• TUDMJugra,Selangor (RMAF Jugra) (PASKAU headquarters)
• TUDMBukit Ibam,Pahang (RMAF Bukit Ibam)
• TUDMSendayan,Negeri Sembilan (RMAF Sendayan) (Military Administration Centre)

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.^[12]

Faced with agingMiG-29 andF-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,^[13][14] this number rose to 24 to 40 new aircraft in 2014 with a budget reported between $1.8 and $2.4 billion.^[15] According to then minister of defenceAhmad Zahid Hamidi, only Western manufactured aircraft were being considered.^[14] Four companies were shortlisted;Boeing,BAE Systems,Dassault Group,Saab AB, each offering their respectiveF/A-18 Super Hornet,Eurofighter Typhoon,Dassault Rafale,JAS 39 Gripen aircraft.^[16]

The program was put on hold indefinitely in 2014 as a result of budget restrictions and the forthcomingEleventh 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.^[17] This was countered by Saab, which offered a leasing deal,^[18] as did BAE Systems,^[19] which also offered to set up a local facility for maintenance and repair with possible financing by the British government.^[20] The Russian defence export corporation,Rosoboronexport, which previously supplied the Royal Malaysian Air Force with theSukhoi Su-30MKM expressed its readiness to discuss the prospect of establishing joint licensed production facilities in Malaysia in 2016.^[21]

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 theSiege of Marawi in the neighbouringPhilippines), 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.^[22][23][24]

With economic difficulties hindering the completion of MRCA program, then deputy defence ministerIkmal Hisham announced that the government would seek to purchase theKuwait Air Force's F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet, which it was phasing out in favour of newer aircraft in 2021.^[25] Pending US government approval, the defence ministry intends on acquiring as many as 30 aircraft.^[26] In June 2025, Air Force Chief-of-StaffGeneral Asghar announced that the US had finally approved the sale of Kuwait's fleet of F/A-18C/D Hornet's to Malaysia, with deliveries expected to be completed by 2027 after the Kuwait Air Force has first brought their replacement fleet ofBoeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet up to full operational capability.^[27]

It was reported in August 2025 that the deal to acquire Kuwaiti Hornets was cancelled as Kuwait itself faced delays in procuring the Super Hornet, a deal which had been pending since 2017 and had been delayed by multiple factors, including theCOVID-19 pandemic andUS Navy's requirement of new Super Hornets taking priority over export orders. Furthermore, upon initial assessment of the Kuwaiti Hornets by RMAF personnel, it was realized that those aircraft had older software and radars than Malaysia's existing Hornets and had to be upgraded before being inducted into the Malaysian fleet which would cost US$4 million per aircraft and at least a year of work to bring them up to standard. Defence analysts in Malaysia pointed out that even when integrated into the Air Force, the Kuwaiti fleet would only have a few years before having to being retired with no real return on investment for upgrading the aircraft. Malaysia instead is now focusing on acquiring fifth generation combat aircraft as a long term solution to supplement its defense needs.^[28] The next day, RMAF chief GeneralMuhamad Norazlan Aris dismissed the report and said that RMAF is still considering acquiring the Kuwaiti Hornets.^[29] A team of eight RMAF personnel was send to theAhmad al-Jaber Air Base on 11–26 November 2025 to evaluate the Kuwaiti aircraft. General Norazlan also personally inspected some of the Hornets.^[30]

In 2018, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program began with the aim of replacing the RMAF'sAermacchi MB-339 andBAE Systems Hawk fleet with 36 new aircraft as fighter-lead in trainers as well as light combat aircraft.^[31] Eight designs were submitted during the initial phase of the program, with the major contenders being theAlenia Aermacchi M-346 Master,HAL Tejas andKAI T-50 Golden Eagle, while theAero L-39NG,Boeing T-7 Red Hawk,Hongdu L-15 Falcon,Yakovlev Yak-130 andCAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder were considered unlikely to be selected owing to their relatively new designs as well as the possibility ofUnited States Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions.^[32] TheSaab Gripen was later added onto the RMAF's list of aircraft being considered, replacing the Boeing T-7 Red Hawk.^[33]

The program in its initial form was approved in 2019 with funding slated for 2021.^[33] 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, a first for military aircraft procurement. Six designs were submitted, Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master, HAL Tejas, KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, Hondu L-15 Falcon,Mikoyan MiG-35 andTAI Hürjet.^[34] The tender was eventually won by the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle in 2022 but challenged and reported to theMalaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, as the decision to award the tender was made by a caretaker government.^[35] The subsequent Malaysian government eventually placed an order for 18 'Block 20' variants, which feature anAESA radar, aLink 16 tactical data link, the capability forinflight refueling and aSniper Advanced Targeting Pod in 2023 with a deal worth $920 million and the deliveries set to begin by October 2026 and lasting until June 2027.^[36] 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.^[37]

In March 2024, it was reported that six Royal Malaysian Air Force pilots would begin training in early 2026 on the FA-50 at aRepublic of Korea Air Force airbase inGwangju.^[38]

The RMAF expressed a need for increasing its maritime patrol capability with new aircraft as early as 2011, but budgetary constraints meant approval for new acquisitions wasn't given until 2017.^[39] Four designs were shortlisted to replace the RMAF's aging fleet ofBeechcraft Super King Air, namely theAirbusC-295,BoeingP-8 Poseidon,ATR72 andCASA/IPTN CN-235, which can be acquired fromCASA (an Airbus subsidiary) orIndonesian Aerospace, with procurement to begin in 2021.^[40] It was reported as late as 2019 that the Japanese government had offered its surplusP-3C Orion aircraft but that it was unlikely the Malaysian government would accept.^[41]

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.^[42] In 2020, funding was secured from the United States' Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) and conversions began the same year,^[43] and all three aircraft were formally handed over in 2024.^[44]

In 2022, it was reported that the Malaysian government had finalised a tender^[45] and a contract worth $172 million for two ATR 72 MP was awarded toLeonardo, one of ATR's parent companies in 2023.^[46] The deal, described by the Malaysian defence minister as the first phase, will see deliveries begin in 2026.^[47]

In 2018, the RMAF announced its Capability Plan 2025 (CAP55), which details its plans up to 2025. It intends to operate a squadron ofairborne early warning and control aircraft, which it currently does not possess. Saab had previously offered twoSaab 340 AEW&C aircraft in a package deal with its Gripen fighters as part of the MRCA program in 2014.^[48] Saab has also previously signedMemorandums of Understanding (MoU) concerning airborne early warning and control systems with Malaysian companyDRB-HICOM, which ownsDefTech, a local defence contractor.^[49]

As a part of the modernization program, Malaysia also intends to acquire sixMALE UAV.^[50] Malaysian government has issues a MALE UAV tender in 2020 and it is expected the procurement will take place in 2021.^[51] The major contenders of this project would be theGeneral Atomics MQ-9 Reaper,TAI Anka,Bayraktar TB2,Safran Patroller,Thales Watchkeeper WK450,Kronshtadt Orion,CAIG Wing Loong andCASC Rainbow.^[52]

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.^[53]

In October 2022, Malaysia's Defence Minister,Hishammudin Hussein announced that theTAIAnka had been selected for the procurement of three MALE-UAS units.^[54] According to Minister of DefenceMohamed Khaled Nordin, the Anka-S UAV is set to be received in February 2026.^[55] They would be based atRMAF Labuan Air Base on the northern part ofBorneo to provide maritime surveillance over theSouth China Sea in general andMalaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone specifically.^[56]

In 2007,Najib Razak announced that theSikorsky S-61A4 Nuri helicopter in service since 1968 would be phased out by 2012 and replaced by theEurocopter EC725.^[4] 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.^[5] At the 12th Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition 2010,^[6] a Letter of Agreement (LoA) was signed for 12 EC725 helicopters to be supplied to the RMAF.^[7] 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.^[57]

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 buyMil 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.^[58]

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.^[59] Another four units were leased on 2025 bring the total of eight aircraft.^[60]

In 2019, it is confirmed that RMAF sought for three new ground-based radar. The major contenders of this project would be theThales Ground Master 400,Selex RAT-31,Giraffe radar andLockheed Martin TPS-77 MMR.^[61]

In 2021, it is reported theUS Department of Defense has 'gifted' an export version ofLockheed 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.^[62][63] ThroughLIMA 2023, Malaysia has awardedThales for the procurement of one unitGround Master 400 radar for the RMAF.^[64] In LIMA 2025, Malaysia has awarded Thales for another two Ground Master 400 radar.^[65]

In 2021, it was confirmed that RMAF sought for a regiment of medium-range air defence system to improve the national air defence capabilities.^[66] 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 ChineseLY-80 medium range air defence missile, but the government of Malaysia did not endorse it.^[67][68]

• Since 1989, around 95 armed forces personnel (most of those are the RMAF) have been killed in 18 crashes involving the ageing type American-madeSikorsky S-61A4 Nuri helicopter.^[69] This led the RMAF to purchase the French-madeEC725 helicopter to replace it. But with the nation having ordered only 12 of a planned 28 EC725 helicopters as replacements, the RMAF was forced to prolong the life of its Sikorskys.^[70] On October 21, 2016, it was reported that a Canadian helicopter company Heli-One will upgrade all Malaysia'sNuri helicopter.^[71]
• On 2 September 1998, aMikoyan MiG-29 suffered a hydraulic failure during a flight and a battery failure when it was returning to base. The aircraft crashed into a forested area and the pilot survived. Subsequent checks on all MiG-29 engines showed that they did not meet manufacturer specifications.^[72]
• On 9 November 2004, a Mikoyan MiG-29 crashed into an oil palm plantation inKemaman,Terengganu. The pilot survived the crash.^[73]
• In May 2008, two J85-GE-21 engines that power theNorthrop 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 asDefence Minister inAbdullah Ahmad Badawi's cabinet. The jet engines belonged to the 12th Squadron (Scorpion) based in Butterworth. The issue became a matter of political dispute^[74] and it was reported a brigadier-general together with 40 other armed forces personnel had been sacked over the incident.^[75] Further investigation led to the arrest of two RMAF personnel and a civilian contractor were charged in connection with the theft and disposal of both engines on 6 January 2010.^[76] On February 5, 2010,Attorney-GeneralAbdul Gani Patail revealed that the two missing engines had been found inUruguay with the help of theGovernment of Uruguay and theMalaysian government is proceeding with the necessary measures to secure their return. Investigations showed that the engines were taken out of the RMAF base between 20 December 2007 to 1 January 2008 before being sent to a warehouse inSubang Jaya to be shipped out of Malaysia toSouth America.^[77][78]
• On 25 March 2010, aPilatus PC-7 Mark II from the Air Force College, RMAF Kepala Batas crashed into a forest reserve near the sports complex inUniversiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok approximately during 10:15 a.m. The pilot, Major Muhammed Zulrihan Jusofin was killed in the crash during aflypast in conjunction of the 23rd Convocation Festival held in Universiti Utara Malaysia.^[79]
• On 26 February 2016, an engine failure caused aCN-235-220 to make anemergency landing in amangrove swamp nearKuala Selangor.^[80] The co-pilot sustained a broken left arm during the incident while the rest of the crew managed to escape without any major injuries. A fisherman who were trying to help the crews out of the aircraft were reported drowned after his foot got stuck in the mud. Theblack box from the aircraft was eventually found on the next day and was sent toBandung, Indonesia for it to be analyzed by the Indonesian manufacturer over the cause of the accident.^[81]
• On 17 May 2016, anAermacchi MB-339 crashed into a paddy field near Nenasi, Pahang during a training mission. Both crew members managed to eject from the aircraft, with one suffering a broken leg.^[82]
• On 21 December 2016, aBeechcraft King Air 200T crashed intoButterworth airbase during a training mission, killing one pilot and leaving three others injured.^[83]
• On 14 June 2017, two pilots were killed after aBAE Hawk 108 crashed at thePahang -Terengganu border.^[84] Previously, several other Hawks had crashed during training missions.^[85]
• On 16 November 2021, at around 10:07pm, a British-madeBAE Hawk 108 (M40-08) crashed on the runway of Butterworth airbase,^[86][87] killing one of the pilots.^[88][89]
• On 6 May 2025, the front landing gear of a BAE Hawk 208 (M40-26) collapsed as it touched down on the runway, landing on its nose in Alor Setar, Kedah. The aircraft had been participating in a training exercise ahead of the opening ceremony for theLangkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025.^[90]
• On 23 June 2025, a CN-235-220's nose landing gear collapsed on the runway at Kuching International Airport around 11:30 am. The airport was closed from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.^{[citation needed]}
• On 21 August 2025, the engines of an F/A-18D caught fire soon after taking off from the runway of theRMAF Kuantan Air Base, resulting in the crash of the aircraft. The incident occurred at 9:05 p.m. local time. Both the pilot and weapons system officer ejected safely with minor injuries. An investigation was conducted and the crash was caused by abird strike.^[91][92]

• Malaysian Armed Forces
  • Malaysian Army
  • Royal Malaysian Navy
• Malaysia Coast Guard
• Royal Malaysia Police
• Royal Johor Military Force
• Joint Forces Command

Wikimedia Commons has media related toRoyal 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

• Royal Malaysian Air Force
• Military units and formations established in 1958
• 1958 establishments in Malaya
• Ministry of Defence (Malaysia)

• CS1 Malay-language sources (ms)
• All articles with dead external links
• Articles with dead external links from May 2025
• Articles with permanently dead external links
• CS1 Spanish-language sources (es)
• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
• Use British English from March 2016
• All Wikipedia articles written in British English
• Use dmy dates from March 2020
• Articles containing Standard Malay-language text
• Articles containing Malay (macrolanguage)-language text
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Articles containing explicitly cited English-language text
• Articles with hatnote templates targeting a nonexistent page
• All articles with unsourced statements
• Articles with unsourced statements from August 2025
• Commons category link is on Wikidata