The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF, ; Jawi: ) was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (; ). 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.

History

Early years

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 "" 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.

Modernisation

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. 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. 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.

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

Chiefs of the Royal Malaysian Air Force

Ranks

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. Commander-in-Chief Generals Senior officers Junior officers Officer Cadets

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. Warrant Officers Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Others

Ground and special forces

In addition to personnel assigned to aviation, airspace management, engineering, and logistics branches, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) maintains dedicated ground and special forces to support its mission. The largest of these formations is the RMAF Regiment, which consists of at least three distinct units. There is also one ground unit that operates independently of the RMAF Regiment. Most personnel within these forces are recruited from the RMAF Administration branch trade ().

RMAF Regiment

Established in 1980, the RMAF Regiment is the primary ground formation of the air force. Its headquarters is currently located at RMAF Jugra. The regiment is commanded by a one-star general holding the appointment of Commander of the RMAF Regiment (). It currently comprises three distinct units, with personnel stationed across various airbases throughout Malaysia.

Historically, the formation was known as the RMAF Security Regiment (), and its headquarters was designated as the RMAF Security Regiment Headquarters (), or MAREJ. The units under its command are detailed below:

RMAF Special Forces

Commonly known as PASKAU (an acronym for ), this is the special forces of the RMAF. Formerly known as the Pasukan Khas Udara (), it was formally established in 1996 by the merger of two special operations squadrons from the RMAF Air and Ground Defence Force. The unit adopted its current name in 2002.

PASKAU is tasked with combat search and rescue, responding to aircraft hijacking incidents, and protecting vital RMAF airbases. Other roles include air-to-ground target designation, sabotage of enemy assets, and RMAF aircraft defence. The unit is also trained for counter-terrorism, urban warfare, and close-quarters combat. PASKAU's structure and doctrines are influenced by the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, particularly units such as Combat Controllers, Pararescue Jumpers, and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP).

RMAF Ground Defence Force

The RMAF Ground Defence Force, originally the RMAF Air and Ground Defence Force, is the progenitor of all ground units within the RMAF. Its modern roles include light infantry, security operations, and airmobile (air assault/fly-away security) infantry.

The unit was established in 1980 following a communist mortar attack on RMAF Kuala Lumpur in 1974, with the aim of strengthening airbase security. In 1983, it was renamed the RMAF Provost after assuming military police duties from the Malaysian Army’s Royal Military Police Corps. At that time, its responsibilities spanned security, special operations, provost duties, and air defence. The unit was decommissioned in 1999, with its personnel divided amongst the Provost, Special Air Service, and Ground Base Air Defence.

Under the Capability Development 55 (CAP55) plan, the unit was reactivated in 2020 as the RMAF Ground Defence Force. Its air defence responsibilities were delegated to the RMAF Ground Base Air Defence. The force is influenced by the U.S. Air Force Security Forces and the British RAF Regiment.

RMAF Provost The RMAF Provost is the military police unit responsible for maintaining discipline and military justice at RMAF bases. It has a direct lineage to the RMAF Air and Ground Defence Force. Following the reinstatement of the Ground Defence Force, the RMAF Provost now focuses primarily on provost duties, the management of detention depots, and legal investigations. Its personnel include military investigators and military police officers, many of whom are drawn from the RMAF Ground Defence Force.

RMAF Ground Base Air Defence The RMAF Ground Base Air Defence is an artillery formation that uses anti-aircraft weapons to protect air bases, radar installations, and other vital assets. Established in 1995, it also traces its lineage to the original Air and Ground Defence Force. Unlike the units mentioned above, it is not part of the RMAF Regiment; instead, these units fall under the command of the specific RMAF bases where they are stationed.

Aerobatic team

The Kris Sakti () is the aerobatic display team of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. It made its debut on Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in December 2011. They operated four Extra 300L aircraft.

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.

Structure As of November 2024 the structure is as follows: