Малайзия Армиясының Тарихы мен Символикасы

Land service branch of Malaysian Armed Force

and the Malay States Volunteer Rifles which existed from 1915 to 1936. The birth of the modern Malaysian Army came about when the Federal Council of the Federated Malay States passed the Malay Regiment Bill on 23 January 1933. This allowed the initial recruitment of 25 males for the First Experimental Malay Company on 1 March 1933 in the Haig Lines camp in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. Major G. McI. S. Bruce of the Lincolnshire Regiment was the first Commanding Officer. By 1 January 1935, the Experimental Company became The Malay 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. The Kor 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 the Federation 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 to Kor Armor Diraja on 8 December 1986. The Royal Ranger Regiment's lineage began in 1863 as the paramilitary Sarawak 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 the Malaysian Flag and the crest of the Malaysian Army. It serves as a symbol of pride and courage for the Malaysian Army. This flag measures in height and in width. It is flown from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm daily, following specific protocols and honors.

Crown: Represents the loyalty of the Malaysian Army to His Majesty the Yang Dipertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers. Crescent Moon and Star: Symbolize the commitment of Malaysian Army members to Islam, the official religion of the State. The words "Allah" and "Muhammad" symbolize God Almighty and the Messenger of Allah. Diamonds: Represent the wealth enjoyed by Malaysians. 16 rice flower garlands: Depict the 16 corps within the Malaysian Army. Keris Bersilang Duku Ilang: Symbolises bravery and the unwavering commitment to fight to the last drop of blood.

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 is General Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, who succeeded General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman on September 6, 2023, who was also appointed as the new Chief of Defence Forces (Malaysia) on the same day.

The Malaysian Army uses a rank structure inherited from the British Army. The Malaysian Army rank structure has 17 levels from Private (Prebet) to General (Jeneral). These ranks are divided into 2 main groups — Officer (Pegawai) and Other Ranks (Lain Lain Pangkat) which includes the Non Commissioned Officer (Pegawai Tidak Tauliah — PTT) ranks.

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 made M4 carbine is standard issue for all army units while the Steyr AUG is only in limited use by certain units and the former standard issue M16A1 rifle is only use for ceremonial purposes and by Rejimen Askar Wataniah. Both the M4 carbine and the Steyr AUG are locally produced by SME Ordnance although the Steyr AUG rifle is no longer in production. In conjunction of LIMA 2023, United Arab Emirates EDGE Group had signed an agreement with Malaysian company Ketech Asia Sdn Bhd for the production of CARACAL firearms locally through the transfer of technology.

The first major procurement was to set a milestone by building its first ever main battle tank regiment. Malaysian Army received delivery of 48 units PT 91M Pendekar main battle tanks and other tank based equipment like ARV WZT 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. In 2016, a Malaysian company Etika Strategi Sdn Bhd made an agreement with Rheinmetall and Otokar on the possibility of working together on the Turkish joint venture Altay MBT.

Malaysian Army is also rapidly mechanising its current inventory 267 units locally manufactured DefTech ACV 300 Adnan IFVs were acquired by the army in 2004 and 111 units K200 KIFV also purchased from South Korea. Following the procurement of the Pakistani Bakhtar 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. The AV4 Lipanbara MRAPs were also manufactured by DefTech for the army and are stationed in East Malaysia ESSCOM area of operations. In 2014, the army also procured the locally produced DefTech AV8 Gempita which is based on the Turkish FNSS Pars and manufactured with FNSS Defence Systems assistance. A Malaysian company AVP Engineering has teamed up with a South Korean defence company Doosan DST to offer Black Fox 6x6 wheeled armoured vehicle if it was selected by the Malaysian government. In 2017, Malaysian Army acquired IAG Guardian armoured vehicle for uses in peacekeeping missions in Lebanon. 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 of URO VAMTAC and locally made Weststar GK M1. In August 2020, the Ministry of Defence is preparing for an open competition to find the replacement for the armoured vehicle to replace the Condor APC and SIBMAS IFV. About 250 400 Armoured Fighting Vehicle were requested by the army, specifically in 4x4 and 6x6 configurations. As of 2024, the army has put in an order for 178 vehicles of the new Mildef Tarantula HMAV and more than 207 vehicles of the Cendana Auto Rover have also been delivered to the army since 2021. In Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2022 exhibition, Mildef International Technologies has launched its second armoured vehicle called Mildef Rentaka 4x4. In same exhibition also, Malaysia signed a contract to purchase Ejder Yalcin for Malaysian Army to be use by the UNIFIL contingent.

Despite adding some 28 units of South African G5 Mk III 155 mm howitzers, another major procurement was 18 units of Astros MLRS from Brazil, which delivery was completed in 2006. A second batch of 18 units MRLS was ordered in 2007. The United States reportedly agreed to transfer a total of 29 pieces of M109 howitzer artillery to the Malaysian Army but this deal was cancelled at the last minute. In 2018, Malaysian Army ordered 18 units of Nexter LG1 Mk III 105 mm howitzers.

There is also a requirement for an upgrade to the current air defense network. However, a dispute between the army and the air force on whether to introduce a mid range surface 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 of Starstreak 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 last Agusta Westland AW109. These helicopters are to initially complement, and ultimately replace, the ageing SA316B 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 receive S61A 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 eastern Sabah from the attacks by militants in the southern Philippines, especially in the Sulu Sea, the Malaysian government has purchased a total of six McDonnell Douglas MD 530G light attack helicopters from the United States for the Malaysian Army. In 2023, the army acquired Sikorsky UH 60 Black Hawk helicopter as the replacement for the S61A 4 Nuri.

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 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. 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 a Thales 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. 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 a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, with hopes to enable self synchronisation for all three branches. 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. 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. 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.