Malaysian Army Aviation

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Malaysian Army Aviation
Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat (PUTD)
Military supply chain management
Size3 squadrons
Part of Malaysian Armed Forces
Garrison/HQKem Mahkota, Kluang, Johor
Motto(s)Gagah Di Angkasa
Insignia
Roundel

The Malaysian Army Aviation (

helicopters in the liaison, transport and light attack roles. The Malaysian Army also plans to equip PUTD with dedicated attack helicopters in support of Malaysian Army
units.

History

The PUTD was formed on 1 July 1994 at the

Rejimen Askar Jurutera DiRaja
. A combination of expertise from various specialisation that made PUTD where it is today. They are twelve dedicated Officers of Malaysian Armed Forces that become pioneer in this new establishment of the new era of Malaysian Armed Forces with multi-tasking capabilities especially for the Malaysian Army.

PUTD was started flying operations on 11 March 1995, and 881 Squadron as declared operational, with an initial complement of 10

SA316B Alouette III
liaison helicopters that were transferred from RMAF. The Kluang Airbase was handed over to PUTD in January 1996. 881 Squadron was declared fully operational on 29 March 1997.

Roles and responsibilities

The roles of PUTD includes the following :

Equipment

  • Attack helicopters

The Malaysian Army has identified the requirement of an

Eurocopter Tigre. Quantity and variety to purchased unknown. In 2016, six MD530G
light attack helicopter ordered.

  • Light observation helicopters

PUTD has 11

AW109
in inventory for light observation duties. One aircraft crashed and written off leaving 10 in inventory. This helicopter can be armed with a 20mm gun and/or rockets for area suppression missions.

  • Tactical transport helicopters

This remains a responsibility of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, though it is a logical progression that PUTD will be equipped with light and medium utility helicopters in the future. PUTD acquired 14 Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King from Royal Malaysian Air Force as an interim solution before buying the new helicopter.[2] In 2023, Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King will be replaced by Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.

Units

At the moment, PUTD has three operational squadrons (No. 881 Squadron, No. 882 Squadron and No. 883 Squadron), though more units are planned.

  • 881 Squadron
No. 881 Squadron was formed in 1995 with 10 SA.316 Alouette III liaison helicopters transferred from the Royal Malaysian Air Force along with a group of pilots. The unit is commanded by a lieutenant colonel.
In 2006, the squadron was strengthened with the delivery of 11
AW109 used for light observation duties. Five of the AW109s were delivered in December 2005[3] with the balance of the delivery made during 2006.[4] These helicopters replace the retired SA 316 Alouette III
.
The helicopters will be armed with 70-mm. rockets, AIM Twin Missile Pack and 20-mm autocannons.[5]
  • 882 Squadron

Transport squadron formed after they received 14 Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King medium helicopters. Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King will be replaced by Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.

  • 883 Squadron

The squadron was formed on 11 March 2023. It operates 6 unit MD530G light attack helicopter.

Inventory

Further information: List of equipment of the Malaysian Army § Aircraft, and List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces

See also

References

  1. ^ Malaysia Plans to Buy Attack Helicopters (Dec 8)
  2. ^ "Janes-Malaysia Looking to Lease Helicopters". janes.com.
  3. ^ "A109M Light Multipurpose Helicopter". Army Technology.
  4. ^ Niels Hillebrand (8 December 2005). "News Archive 2005 – MILAVIA Military Aviation News".
  5. ^ "Rotor & Wing". www.aviationtoday.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2004.

External links

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