Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (TUDM)
皇家馬來西亞空軍
was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Malayan Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan). However, its roots could be traced to the Malayan Auxiliary AF formations of the British Royal Air Force in then colonial Malaya. Today, the Royal Malaysian Air Force operates a unique mix of modern US, European and Russian made aircraft.
Early years
On 25 October 1960, after the end of the Malayan Emergency, the British Royal Air Force handed over their first base in Malaya to the RMAF, the Simpang Airport, which was established on 1 June 1941, located in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur which was formerly part of Selangor.
The first aircraft for the fledgling air force was a Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer named “Lang Rajawali” by the then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. Several Malayans serving with the Royal Air Force transferred to the Royal Malayan Air Force.
The role played by TUDM was limited initially to communications and the support of ground operations against Communist insurgents during the Malayan Emergency. TUDM received the first combat aircraft with the delivery of 20 Canadair CL41G Tebuan (an armed version of the Canadair Tutor trainer). TUDM also received the Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters, used in the liaison role.
With the formation of Malaysian Federation on September 16, 1963, the name of the 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.
TUDM received the Sikorsky S-61A-4 helicopters in the late sixties and early seventies and used in the transport role. TUDM gained an air defence capability when the Australian Government donated 10 ex-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-nation agreement between Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom was concluded to ensure defense against external aggression.
The Royal Australian Air Force maintained a Mirage IIIO squadron at the Butterworth Air Base as part of its commitment to the Five Power Defence Agreement. This squadron has been withdrawn since 1983 though occasional deployments of RAAF aircraft continue.
Modernization
With the withdrawal of the British military forces, TUDM underwent gradual modernisation in the 1970s and through the 1990s. The CA27 Sabre were replaced by 16 Northrop F-5E Tigers. A reconnaissance capability was acquired with the purchase of 2 RF-5E Tigereye aircraft.
TUDM also purchased 88 Ex US Navy McDonnell Douglas A-4C Skyhawks and Grumman Bethpage refurbished 40 of the airframes into the A-4PTM (Peculiar To Malaysia) configuration (similar to A-4M standard).
TUDM has traditionally looked to the West for its purchases, primarily to the United States. However, limitation imposed by the United States on "new technology" to the region such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM fire and forget air to air missiles has made TUDM consider purchases from Russia and other non-traditional sources.
The 90's saw the arrival first with the BAE Hawk Mk108/208 which replaced the T/A-4PTM's followed by the MiG-29N/NUB in 1995 to take on the air superiority role, and finally the delivery of the F/A-18D Hornet in 1997 to provide the all weather interdictor capability.
In 2003 a contract was signed for eighteen Su-30MKMs for delivery in 2007 to fulfill a requirement for an initial order batch of multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA). A requirement for a further eighteen MRCAs remains unfulfilled. TUDM is also looking for an AWACS aircraft, though no firm orders have been placed.
On 8 December 2005 four Airbus Military A400M aircraft were ordered to enhance the airlift capability. The first Malaysian aircraft will be delivered in 2013.
In late 2006 the Government signed a contract to purchase 8 Aermacchi MB-339CMs to add to the 8 older MB-339AMs currently in service.
Organisation
1st Division
2 Squadron Fokker F-28 Fellowship, Falcon 900,
Global Express, Boeing BBJ (737-700) Subang AFB
3 Squadron S-61A4A Nuri Butterworth AFB
6 Squadron BAE Hawk 108/Hawk 208 Kuantan AFB
10 Squadron S-61A4A Nuri Kuala Lumpur AFB
11 Squadron Su-30MKM Flanker Gong Kedak AFB
12 Squadron Northrop F-5E, F-5F, RF-5E Butterworth AFB
15 Squadron BAE Hawk 108/Hawk 209, Aermacchi MB-339AM Butterworth AFB
16 Squadron Beech 200T Subang AFB
18 Squadron Boeing F/A-18D Hornet Butterworth AFB
19 Squadron MiG 29N/UB Kuantan AFB
20 Squadron Lockheed C-130H Hercules, C-130T Subang AFB
21 Squadron CN-235-200M Subang AFB
2nd Division
5 Squadron S-61A4A Nuri Labuan AFB
7 Squadron S-61A4A Nuri Kuching AFB
14 Squadron Lockheed C-130H Hercules Labuan AFB
Training Division
1 FTC PC-7, PC-7 Mk II, Alor Setar AFB
2 FTC Alouette III Alor Setar AFB
Airbases
TUDM Alor Setar, Kedah (RMAF Alor Setar) (Air Force Academy)
TUDM Bukit Ibam, Pahang (RMAF Bukit Ibam)
TUDM Bukit Jugra, Selangor (RMAF Bukit Jugra)
TUDM Butterworth, Penang (RMAF Butterworth)
TUDM Gong Kedak, Kelantan (RMAF Gong Kedak)
TUDM Ipoh, Perak (RMAF Ipoh) (Air Force School)
TUDM Kinrara, Selangor (RMAF Kinrara (School of Logistic Management; also houses a central hospital facility)
TUDM Kuantan, Pahang (RMAF Kuantan)
TUDM Kuching, Sarawak (RMAF Kuching)
TUDM Labuan (RMAF Labuan)
TUDM Subang, Selangor (RMAF Subang)
TUDM Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur (RMAF Simpang)
TUDM Bukit Lunchu, Johor ( RMAF Skn 323)
Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (TUDM)
皇家馬來西亞空軍
was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Malayan Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan). However, its roots could be traced to the Malayan Auxiliary AF formations of the British Royal Air Force in then colonial Malaya. Today, the Royal Malaysian Air Force operates a unique mix of modern US, European and Russian made aircraft.
Early years
On 25 October 1960, after the end of the Malayan Emergency, the British Royal Air Force handed over their first base in Malaya to the RMAF, the Simpang Airport, which was established on 1 June 1941, located in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur which was formerly part of Selangor.
The first aircraft for the fledgling air force was a Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer named “Lang Rajawali” by the then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. Several Malayans serving with the Royal Air Force transferred to the Royal Malayan Air Force.
The role played by TUDM was limited initially to communications and the support of ground operations against Communist insurgents during the Malayan Emergency. TUDM received the first combat aircraft with the delivery of 20 Canadair CL41G Tebuan (an armed version of the Canadair Tutor trainer). TUDM also received the Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters, used in the liaison role.
With the formation of Malaysian Federation on September 16, 1963, the name of the 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.
TUDM received the Sikorsky S-61A-4 helicopters in the late sixties and early seventies and used in the transport role. TUDM gained an air defence capability when the Australian Government donated 10 ex-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-nation agreement between Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom was concluded to ensure defense against external aggression.
The Royal Australian Air Force maintained a Mirage IIIO squadron at the Butterworth Air Base as part of its commitment to the Five Power Defence Agreement. This squadron has been withdrawn since 1983 though occasional deployments of RAAF aircraft continue.
Modernization
With the withdrawal of the British military forces, TUDM underwent gradual modernisation in the 1970s and through the 1990s. The CA27 Sabre were replaced by 16 Northrop F-5E Tigers. A reconnaissance capability was acquired with the purchase of 2 RF-5E Tigereye aircraft.
TUDM also purchased 88 Ex US Navy McDonnell Douglas A-4C Skyhawks and Grumman Bethpage refurbished 40 of the airframes into the A-4PTM (Peculiar To Malaysia) configuration (similar to A-4M standard).
TUDM has traditionally looked to the West for its purchases, primarily to the United States. However, limitation imposed by the United States on "new technology" to the region such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM fire and forget air to air missiles has made TUDM consider purchases from Russia and other non-traditional sources.
The 90's saw the arrival first with the BAE Hawk Mk108/208 which replaced the T/A-4PTM's followed by the MiG-29N/NUB in 1995 to take on the air superiority role, and finally the delivery of the F/A-18D Hornet in 1997 to provide the all weather interdictor capability.
In 2003 a contract was signed for eighteen Su-30MKMs for delivery in 2007 to fulfill a requirement for an initial order batch of multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA). A requirement for a further eighteen MRCAs remains unfulfilled. TUDM is also looking for an AWACS aircraft, though no firm orders have been placed.
On 8 December 2005 four Airbus Military A400M aircraft were ordered to enhance the airlift capability. The first Malaysian aircraft will be delivered in 2013.
In late 2006 the Government signed a contract to purchase 8 Aermacchi MB-339CMs to add to the 8 older MB-339AMs currently in service.
Organisation
1st Division
2 Squadron Fokker F-28 Fellowship, Falcon 900,
Global Express, Boeing BBJ (737-700) Subang AFB
3 Squadron S-61A4A Nuri Butterworth AFB
6 Squadron BAE Hawk 108/Hawk 208 Kuantan AFB
10 Squadron S-61A4A Nuri Kuala Lumpur AFB
11 Squadron Su-30MKM Flanker Gong Kedak AFB
12 Squadron Northrop F-5E, F-5F, RF-5E Butterworth AFB
15 Squadron BAE Hawk 108/Hawk 209, Aermacchi MB-339AM Butterworth AFB
16 Squadron Beech 200T Subang AFB
18 Squadron Boeing F/A-18D Hornet Butterworth AFB
19 Squadron MiG 29N/UB Kuantan AFB
20 Squadron Lockheed C-130H Hercules, C-130T Subang AFB
21 Squadron CN-235-200M Subang AFB
2nd Division
5 Squadron S-61A4A Nuri Labuan AFB
7 Squadron S-61A4A Nuri Kuching AFB
14 Squadron Lockheed C-130H Hercules Labuan AFB
Training Division
1 FTC PC-7, PC-7 Mk II, Alor Setar AFB
2 FTC Alouette III Alor Setar AFB
Airbases
TUDM Alor Setar, Kedah (RMAF Alor Setar) (Air Force Academy)
TUDM Bukit Ibam, Pahang (RMAF Bukit Ibam)
TUDM Bukit Jugra, Selangor (RMAF Bukit Jugra)
TUDM Butterworth, Penang (RMAF Butterworth)
TUDM Gong Kedak, Kelantan (RMAF Gong Kedak)
TUDM Ipoh, Perak (RMAF Ipoh) (Air Force School)
TUDM Kinrara, Selangor (RMAF Kinrara (School of Logistic Management; also houses a central hospital facility)
TUDM Kuantan, Pahang (RMAF Kuantan)
TUDM Kuching, Sarawak (RMAF Kuching)
TUDM Labuan (RMAF Labuan)
TUDM Subang, Selangor (RMAF Subang)
TUDM Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur (RMAF Simpang)
TUDM Bukit Lunchu, Johor ( RMAF Skn 323)
Ranks of The Royal Malaysian Air Force
Flag Officer Rank
General Jeneral
Lieutenant General Leftenan Jeneral
Major General Mejar General
Brigadier General Brigadier Jeneral
Commissioned Officer Rank
Colonel Kolonel
Lieutenant Colonel Leftenan Kolonel
Major Mejar
Captain Kapten
Lieutenant Leftenan
Sub Lieutenant Leftenan Muda
Cadet Kadet
