The
Royal Brunei Armed Forces was formed on 31 May
1961. Known as the Askar Melayu Brunei, (Brunei Malay Regiment in
Malay) it was honoured with the royal
title on 31 May 1965, when the word 'Diraja' (Royal in
Malay) was added to the title. It was then
known as Askar Melayu Diraja Brunei, (Royal Brunei Malay Regiment).
Since
Independence Day, 1 January 1984,
the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment has been renamed as the Angkatan
Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (Royal Brunei Armed Forces in
Malay).
Due to its
history, only Brunei
citizens of
the Malay ethnicity (Bumiputera) can enlist in the Royal
Brunei Armed Forces. The Malay ethnicity comprises the
Belait, Bisaya, Brunei, Dusun, Kedayan, Murut, and Tutong
indigenous races as defined in the Brunei constitution. Military
service is not compulsory for any segment of the population and
there is no military draft in Brunei.
The Royal
Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) use a wide range of foreign equipment,
with a large percentage originating from the United Kingdom
, France
/Europe and the United States
. The Royal Brunei Armed Forces is the
largest of the armed services, with a relatively small air force
and navy. The Bruneian military lacks any recent combat experience
but has been deployed regionally in humanitarian and peacekeeping
missions.
Brunei also has extensive military relations
with Singapore
.
Role and Organisation
The Role of Royal Brunei Armed Forces is to:
- Deter
any outside powers intending to undermine directly or indirectly in
the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Brunei, and to prevent any subversive elements actual or
potential operating in the State of
Brunei;
- Undertake military operations to counter aggression, terrorism or insurgency;
- Assist in maintenance of public order in support of the
Police and Civil
Authority, if called upon
- Maintain good Community relations by which the Royal Brunei
Armed Forces can be identified with the Government and Civil
population of Brunei.
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces is divided into four branches:
Royal Brunei Land Forces
See Main Article Royal
Brunei Land Forces
The Royal Brunei Land Forces is a brigade sized formation that
consists of three battalions and a support battalion. The role of
the Royal Brunei Land Forces is to maintain the security of Brunei
and to defend the sovereignty of the country. Its main
responsibility is to oppose any threat from within or outside the
country and to maintain peace and security in the country.
Royal Brunei Air Force
See Main Article Royal Brunei
Air Force
The Royal Brunei Air Force is a small, mainly helicopter-based
force which is tasked with supporting the other branches of the
armed services and defending Bruneian air space. It was established
in 1965 and consists of a range of helicopters, including the
UH-1 and the
UH-60
Black Hawk.Its fixed-wing inventory is limited to around 4
Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft and
CN-235 transport aircraft.
Royal Brunei Navy
See Main Article Royal Brunei
Navy
The Royal
Brunei Navy ( , abbreviated TLDB) is the naval defence force of
Brunei
Darrussalam
. It is a small but relatively well-equipped
force whose main responsibility is to conduct search and rescue
missions and to deter and defend the Brunei waters against attack
mounted by sea borne forces.
Support Services
The Support Services Royal Brunei Armed Forces is given the
responsibility of providing support services to units in the RBAF
in all aspects pertaining to their administration, security,
health, logistics, communication, transportation and technical
equipment service support to all units in the Royal Brunei Armed
Forces. The Support Services or the Royal Brunei Armed Forces also
works closely with other units in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces to
undergo and help coordinate military training and operations
As part of the reorganization of the RBAF, the Support Services was
disbanded in early 2009 and its various units have been
relocated..
Training Institute
The Training Institute of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces is also
known as the Military Training Institution. It provides basic
military training to all new recruits to the Royal Brunei Armed
Forces. Other military courses are also offered and conducted in
the institution to personnel of the Royal Brunei Armed
Forces.
See also
Notes
- Introduction - Royal Brunei Armed Forces -
retrieved 19-04-2007
- Military Record, Brunei - retrieved
20-04-2007
- Brunei: The Abode of Peace - retrieved
20-04-2007
- Royal Brunei Land Forces - retrieved 20-04-2007
- Royal Brunei Air Force - retrieved 20-04-2007
- Royal Brunei Navy - retrieved 20-04-2007
- Royal Brunei Armed Forces Support Services -
retrieved 20-04-2007
- Royal Brunei Armed Forces Training Institute -
retrieved 20-04-2007
External links
Wikis
Quiz
Facts
Map
Search
