Royal Brunei Armed Forces

Royal Brunei Armed Forces Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei
Founded	31 May 1961
Current form	1 January 1984
Service branches	Royal Brunei Land Forces Royal Brunei Air Force Royal Brunei Navy Training Institute
Headquarters	Bolkiah Garrison
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Minister of Defense	His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Chief of staff	Major General Aminuddin Ihsan
Manpower
Military age	18 and over
Available for military service	108,356 males, age 16-49, 110,153 females, age 16-49
Fit for military service	92,543 males, age 16-49, 95,301 females, age 16-49
Reaching military age annually	3,460 males, 3,399 females
Expenditures
Percent of GDP	4.5% (2006)

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)^[1].

Due to its history, only Brunei citizens of the Malay ethnicity (Bumiputera) can enlist in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces^[2]. The Malay ethnicity comprises the Belait, Bisaya, Brunei, Dusun, Kedayan, Murut, and Tutong indigenous races as defined in the Brunei constitution^[3]. 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

Major General Aminuddin Ihsan, current commander of the RBAF, in August 2009

The Role of Royal Brunei Armed Forces is to^[1]:

• 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:^[4]

• Royal Brunei Land Forces
• Royal Brunei Air Force
• Royal Brunei Navy
• Training Institute

Royal Brunei Land Forces

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^[5].

Royal Brunei Air Force

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^[6].

Royal Brunei Navy

Main article: Royal Brunei Navy

The Royal Brunei Navy (Malay: Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei, 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^[7].

Support Services

The Support Services Royal Brunei Armed Forces had 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 worked 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 were relocated. ^[8].

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^[9].

See also

• Brunei
• Gurkha Reserve Unit
• Military Forces Based in Brunei

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Introduction - Royal Brunei Armed Forces - retrieved 19-04-2007
2. ^ Military Record, Brunei - retrieved 20-04-2007
3. ^ Brunei: The Abode of Peace - retrieved 20-04-2007
4. ^ "Ministry of Defence, Brunei". Ministry of Defence, Brunei. http://www.mindef.gov.bn/. Retrieved 2009-05-23. 
5. ^ Royal Brunei Land Forces - retrieved 20-04-2007
6. ^ Royal Brunei Air Force - retrieved 20-04-2007
7. ^ Royal Brunei Navy - retrieved 20-04-2007
8. ^ Royal Brunei Armed Forces Support Services - retrieved 20-04-2007
9. ^ Royal Brunei Armed Forces Training Institute - retrieved 20-04-2007

External links

• Ministry of Defence, Brunei