TheMalaysian Army (Malay:Tentera Darat Malaysia;Jawi:تنترا دارت مليسيا) is the land component of theMalaysian Armed Forces. Steeped inBritish Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ (diraja) as do theRoyal Malaysian Navy and theRoyal Malaysian Air Force. Instead, the title is bestowed on selected army corps and regiments who have been accorded the honour by theYang di-Pertuan Agong ('The King of Malaysia'), who is theSupreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
The first military units in Malaysia can be traced back to thePenang Volunteer Rifle raised on 1 March 1861[note 1] and theMalay States Volunteer Rifles which existed from 1915 to 1936. The birth of the modern Malaysian Army came about when the Federal Council of theFederated Malay States passed theMalay Regiment Bill on 23 January 1933. This allowed the initial recruitment of 25 males for the First ExperimentalMalayCompany on 1 March 1933 in the Haig Lines camp inPort Dickson,Negeri Sembilan. Major G. McI. S. Bruce of theLincolnshire Regiment was the first Commanding Officer. By 1 January 1935, the Experimental Company became TheMalay Regiment with a complement of 150 men. A battalion was formed on 1 January 1938 and eventually a second battalion on 1 December 1941. The 1st Bn Malay Regiment was famous for its defence of Opium Hill (Bukit Chandu) in Singapore. The ‘Battle of Opium Hill’ on 14 February 1942 involved 42 soldiers commanded by Lt.Adnan Saidi who defended their position against attack from the 18th Division of the Japanese Imperial Army under Lt. Gen. Renya Mutaguchi. After World War II and during the Malayan Emergency, the number of battalions was increased to seven in the early 1950s.
TheKor Armor DiRaja ('Royal Armoured Corps') can trace its roots to the formation on 1 September 1952 of the Federation Reconnaissance Squadron. It was later merged with theFederation Regiment to form the Federation Reconnaissance Corps. The name underwent a few transformations from the Malaysian Reconnaissance Corps (16 September 1967), Royal Malaysian Reconnaissance Corps (May 1979) to Royal Cavalry Corps (December 1979) and finally toKor Armor Diraja on 8 December 1986. TheRoyal Ranger Regiment's lineage began in 1863 as the paramilitarySarawak Rangers. Although the second in the order of precedence, it is the oldest active formation of the Army.
The flag of the Malaysian Army, introduced since the inception of the Malaysian Army and still in use today, combines elements of theMalaysian Flag and the crest of the Malaysian Army. It serves as a symbol of pride and courage for the Malaysian Army.
This flag measures 187 centimetres (74 in) in height and 91.5 centimetres (36.0 in) in width. It is flown from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm daily, following specific protocols and honors.
The Malaysian Army currently has 18 Corps andRegiments. 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 fivedivisions. 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.
The21st Special Service Group (the Army's special forces),10th Parachute Brigade and the twoArmy 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 GeneralDatukMuhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, who succeeded GeneralTan SriMohammad Ab Rahman on September 6, 2023, who was also appointed as the newChief of Defence Forces (Malaysia) on the same day.[5]
.jpg)
The Malaysian Army uses a rank structure inherited from theBritish Army.[6] TheMalaysian Army rank structure has 17 levels fromPrivate (Prebet) toGeneral (Jeneral). These ranks are divided into 2 main groups —Officer (Pegawai) and Other Ranks (Lain-Lain Pangkat) which includes theNon-Commissioned Officer (Pegawai Tanpa Tauliah — PTT) ranks.
| Rank group | Commander-in-Chief | General officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Officer cadets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pemerintah tertinggi | Pegawai tinggi | Pegawai kanan | Pegawai muda | Pegawai kadet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Malaysian Army[7] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fil Marsyal | Jeneral | Leftenan Jeneral | Mejar Jeneral | Brigedier Jeneral | Kolonel | Leftenan Kolonel | Mejar | Kapten | Leftenan | Leftenan Muda | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | Warrant officers | Non-commissioned officers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pegawai waran | Pegawai tanpa tauliah | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Malaysian Army[8] |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pegawai Waran I | Pegawai Waran II | Staf Sarjan | Sarjan | Koperal | Lans Koperal | Prebet | Rekrut | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_Malaysia_2013.jpg)
TheRejimen Askar Melayu Diraja ('Royal Malay Regiment') is the most senior regiment of the Malaysian Army. Its ranks are recruited from amongst theMalay population. The Regiment has 27battalions. The 1st Battalion, the most senior in the Regiment, currently undertakes ceremonial and Royal Guard duties. The remainder are configured as 20 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 andDelta Force operatives in Somalia during theBattle of Mogadishu. The unit of 32 RadpanzerCondor APCs and 113 men fromMALBATT 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 soldierkilled 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 withPingatSeri 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.
TheRejimen Renjer Diraja ('Royal Ranger Regiment') is a multi-racial unit organised along similar lines to theRejimen Askar Melayu Diraja. There are currently 11 battalions within this regiment. The Regiment traces its roots to theSarawak Rangers and the Sarawak Constabulary, famed jungle trackers who had a deadly reputation during theMalayan Emergency and during theCommunist Party of Malaya’sinsurgency in Malaysia. The 8th Bn Royal Ranger Regiment (8 Renjer) was the first infantry battalion in the Malaysian Army to undergo conversion into anairborne battalion. The unit is currently assigned to the elite10th Parachute Brigade. The Malaysian Army's most decorated soldier, WOI (Rtd)Kanang anak Langkau was aRegimental Sergeant Major of8 Ranger.
TheRejimen Sempadan ('Border Regiment') is a newly created regiment from the 300 series Territorial Army units in charge of the border. The government 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 theRejimen Askar Wataniah. It is believed that the army will form about 2 to 3 brigades of this new regiment.[9] The new regiment was officially raised on 9 February 2008 by Najib Razak at Tanah Merah, Kelantan.[10]
TheKor 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 variousarmoured personnel carriers (AV-8 Gempita, SIBMAS AFSV-90, Condor, ACV-300 Adnan and K-200 KIFV) and light combat vehicles.Rejimen ke-11 of theKor Armor Diraja is the sole user of 48PT-91MMain Battle Tanks fromPoland.
TheRejimen 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-madeAstros IImultiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and 28G5 MkIII towed artillery guns from South Africa.Air defence is provided using a mix of SwissOerlikon twin 35 mm and SwedishBofors 40 mm anti-aircraft artillery and missile systems such as theJernas andStarburst from the UK,Anza from Pakistan,FN-6 from China andIgla from Russia. Malaysia committed to purchaseStarstreak V-Shorads missiles from the UK in 2015.[11]
TheRejimen Semboyan Diraja ('Royal Signals Regiment') is in charge ofstrategic communication,tactical communications,electronic warfare andearly warning systems such asradar.
TheKor 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.
TheRejimen Askar Jurutera Diraja ('Royal Engineers Regiment') is tasked with demolitions, bridge-laying and the repair of military infrastructure, such asairbaserunways or clearing obstacles in emergency situations.
TheKor 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.
TheKor Risik Diraja ('Royal Intelligence Corps') specialises inpsychological warfare (psyops),surveillance,intelligence,reconnaissance andcounter-intelligence operations. Aside from handlingpropaganda 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 theKor Risik Diraja.
TheKor Ordnans Diraja ('Royal Ordnance Corps') ensures that all military supplies and ordnance are stored, secured and inventoried properly.
TheKor Agama Angkatan Tentera (KAGAT; 'Armed Forces Religious Corps') performs religious (chaplainry) services forMuslim andChristian personnel of the Malaysian Army. It also providescounselling and conducts ritual prayers on the battlefield.
TheKor Perkhidmatan Diraja ('Royal Logistics Corps') is in charge of transporting troops and supplies to the various units of the Malaysian Army.
TheKor 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) toPakistan,Afghanistan,[12]Western Sahara,Indonesia andPalestine.
TheKor Perkhidmatan Am ('General Service Corps') handles administration and financial management for the entire army.
The21 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 twoElite forces in the Malaysian Army. 21 GGK is the operational home of various specialists and theCommandoregiments, which are capable of conductingunconventional warfare orspecial operations. One of the known foreign operations involving this regiment was in an attack by Somali militia on a convoy transporting UN Intelligence Chief inUNOSOM II on 18 July 1994. In the action, two members of the regiment werekilled in action, while another four were wounded. One of the injured men was takenhostage by the militia and was released nine hours later.
The10th Parachute Brigade (10 Para Bde;Malay:10 Briged Payung Terjun — 10 Bgd Para) is aneliteairborne unit tasked with being rapidly deployed inside or outside the boundaries of Malaysia. 10 Para is the key element of the MalaysianRapid Deployment Force (Malay:Pasukan Aturgerak Cepat — PAC) and it is Malaysia primary main offensive force in time of war or emergencies.
ThePasukan Udara Tentera Darat ('Army Air Corps') is thearmy aviation branch formed around a core ofRoyal Malaysian Air Force officers. This new Army formation is tasked withliaison duties, providing limited transport capabilities,close air support and also airreconnaissance using light observation helicopters. The unit currently has three squadron, 881 Army Aviation Regiment, 882 Army Aviation Regiment and 883 Army Aviation Regiment. The main Army Air Corps base is located inKluang, Johor. As 2019, the Air Corps is equipped with 10AgustaWestland AW109 light helicopters and 14Sikorsky S61A-4 medium helicopter.[13][14] The 882 Army Aviation Regiment will be received newSikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk to replaced its aeging Sikorsky S61A-4 while the 883 Army Aviation Regiment has received 6 units ofMD530G light attack helicopter in 2022.[15][16]
TheRejimen 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, theRejimen 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 severalKor Armor Diraja regiments.
TheBatalion Siap Sedia Tentera Darat (BSSTD; 'Army Rapid Battalion — ARB') is acombat ready battalion of the Malaysian Army. The ARB can be deployed to overseas conflict areas in short notice under order of theUnited Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN DPKO). The battalion consists of multiple capabilities, including special operations, armour, infantry andChemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence (CBRN defence).[17] 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, the11th Special Service Regiment.[18]
The personnel strength of the Malaysian Army is approximately 80,000 personnel in the Active Army,[1][2][19] 50,000 in the Active Reserve[1][19] and 26,600 active and 244,700 reservists[19] in the paramilitary.
The Malaysian Army consists of 5 infantry divisions, 11 infantry brigades, 1 mechanised brigade, 3 border brigades, 1 special forces brigade and 1 airborne brigade[19] composed of:
The territorial army includes:
Since the recovery from the 1997 economic crisis, Malaysian Army along with other branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces has regained momentum in its modernising programs.
Currently, the American-madeM4 carbine is standard issue for all army units while theSteyr AUG is only in limited use by certain units and the former standard issueM16A1 rifle is only use for ceremonial purposes and byRejimen Askar Wataniah. Both the M4 carbine and the Steyr AUG are locally produced bySME Ordnance although the Steyr AUG rifle is no longer in production. In conjunction ofLIMA 2023, United Arab EmiratesEDGE Group had signed an agreement with Malaysian company Ketech Asia for the production ofCARACAL firearms locally through the transfer of technology.[21]
The first major procurement was to set a milestone by building its first ever main battle tank regiment. Malaysian Army received delivery of 48 unitsPT-91M Pendekar main battle tanks and other tank-based equipment likeARVWZT-4 from Poland with fully completed contract of sale in March 2010. As of 2024, the army is planning to upgrade all PT-91M Pendekar tanks with the planned SLEP program.[22] In 2016, a Malaysian company Etika Strategi Sdn Bhd made an agreement withRheinmetall andOtokar on the possibility of working together on the Turkish joint ventureAltay MBT.[23][24]
Malaysian Army is also rapidly mechanising its current inventory - 267 units locally manufacturedDefTechACV-300 Adnan IFVs were acquired by the army in 2004 and 111 unitsK200 KIFV also purchased from South Korea. Following the procurement of the PakistaniBakhtar-Shikan ATGM, they were installed on the ACV-300 Adnans. As of 2023, the army will be modernising 60 ACV-300 Adnans in a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). The army planned the SLEP for the entire ACV-300 Adnan and K200 KIFV fleet.[25][26] TheAV4 Lipanbara MRAPs were also manufactured byDefTech for the army and are stationed in East Malaysia ESSCOM area of operations. In 2014, the army also procured the locally producedDefTech AV8 Gempita which is based on the TurkishFNSS Pars and manufactured withFNSS Defence Systems assistance. A Malaysian company AVP Engineering has teamed up with a South Korean defence companyDoosan DST to offer Black Fox 6x6 wheeled armoured vehicle if it was selected by the Malaysian government. In 2017, Malaysian Army acquiredIAG Guardian armoured vehicle for uses inpeacekeeping missions in Lebanon.[27] Malaysian Army planned to add locally made light armoured vehicle in their inventory. In 2019, Malaysian government issues a tender for the new multipurpose light armoured vehicle. The variants sought for this new vehicle is the fitted for radio, mortar carrier, anti-tank guided missile carrier, light assault vehicle and special operation vehicle. This new light armoured vehicle is uses to augment the fleets ofURO VAMTAC and locally madeWeststar GK-M1/M2.[28] In August 2020, the Ministry of Defence is preparing for an open competition to find the replacement for the armoured vehicle to replace theCondor APC andSIBMAS IFV. About 250-400 Armoured Fighting Vehicle were requested by the army, specifically in 4x4 and 6x6 configurations.[29][30] As of 2024, the army has put in an order for 136 vehicles of the newMildef Tarantula HMAV and more than 200 vehicles of theCendana Auto 4x4 have also been delivered to the army since 2021.[31][32] In Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2022 exhibition, Mildef International Technologies has launched its second armoured vehicle calledMildef Rentaka.[33] In same exhibition also, Malaysia signed a contract to purchaseEjder Yalcin for Malaysian Army to be use by the UNIFIL contingent.[34]
Despite adding some 28 units of South AfricanG5 Mk III 155 mm howitzers, another major procurement was 18 units ofAstros MLRS from Brazil, which delivery was completed in 2006. A second batch of 18 units MRLS was ordered in 2007.[35] The United States reportedly agreed to transfer a total of 29 pieces ofM109 howitzer artillery to the Malaysian Army but this deal was cancelled at the last minute.[36][37] In 2018, Malaysian Army ordered 18 units ofNexter LG1 Mk III 105 mm howitzers.[38] It is reported that in October 2024, Malaysian Army has selected theEVA M2 155 mm SPH as future self-propelled howitzer.[31]
There is also a requirement for an upgrade to the current air defence network. However, a dispute between the army and the air force on whether to introduce a mid-rangesurface-to-air missile system had led to the procurement being put on hold. According to a recent interview of the army's chief of staff, Ismail bin Haji Jamaluddin, the army has no intention of taking over the mid-range air defence role. Malaysian defence company,Weststar Defence Industries and its subsidiary Global Komited, has partnered with British air defence company,Thales for the distribution ofStarstreak surface-to-air missile to the Malaysian Army.
Malaysian Army is now shifting its emphasis on enhancing its air wing. In September 2006, Malaysian Army received its 11th and lastAgusta Westland AW109. These helicopters are to initially complement, and ultimately replace, the ageingSA316B Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters. Some of them were to be installed with light arms and to be tasked to a scout observation unit. Furthermore, the army will also receiveS61A-4 Nuri multipurpose helicopters after they are retired from RMAF and these will form the backbone of the army's very first air transport units - 881 and 882 squadrons of the army air wing. To boost the security in easternSabah from theattacks by militants in the southern Philippines, especially in theSulu Sea, the Malaysian government has purchased a total of sixMcDonnell Douglas MD-530G light attack helicopters from the United States for the Malaysian Army.[39] In 2023, the army acquiredSikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as the replacement for the S61A-4 Nuri.[40][41] Due to delay in contract, there is planned to scrapped the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk acquisition and replaced it withAgustaWestland AW149.[31]
The Malaysian Army currently has a soldier modernisation programme called the Future Soldier System (FSS). Under the FSS, The Malaysian Army plans to equip all soldiers with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) such asKevlar helmets,Kevlar vests, Oakley goggles and ear protection equipment. The programme also includes arming all the standard issueM4 carbines withSOPMOD kits, as well as equipping soldiers with aGlock series pistol.[42][43]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 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 aThales 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.[44] 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 FSS in conjunction with the Network Centric Operation (NCO) System, will give the three branches of the Armed Forces a shared situational awareness, interoperability and a common operating picture via a X-band satellite-based link and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, with hopes to enable self-synchronisation for all three branches.[45] The programme will go through several phases, with Phase 1A (the implementation of the mobile X-band satellite communication linked) and Phase 2 (the demonstration of the capabilities of the FSS with NCO) being successful and operational in 2017.[46] 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 FSS and NCO equipment, second being in an Army Training Centre and last being a real simulation operation in East Malaysia.[47] Currently, several combat elements such as the 12th Royal Malay Regiment and the 4th Mechanised Brigade 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.
| Leadership |
|  | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formations |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Corps and Regiments |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Others |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Leadership | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organisation |
| ||||||||||
| Other topics | |||||||||||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
.svg)
