Royal Malaysian Air Force

Royal Malaysian Air Force Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia
Crest of the Royal Malaysian Air Force
Founded	2 June 1958
Country	Malaysia
Allegiance	Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Branch	Malaysian Armed Forces
Type	Air force
Role	Aerial defence and dominance of Malaysian territory
Size	15,000 personnel (2003) 297 active aircraft
Motto(s)	"Sentiasa di Angkasa Raya" (Always in the Sky)
Colours	Navy blue and   Maya blue
March	"Perwira di Angkasa" (Warriors in the Skies)
Anniversaries	2 June
Engagements	Malayan Emergency Sarawak Communist Insurgency Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–89) MV Bunga Laurel hijacking Cross border attacks in Sabah (2013 standoff) MT Orkim Harmony hijacking
Website	www.airforce.mil.my
Commanders
Colonel-in-Chief	Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang
Chief of Air Force	General Affendi Buang RMAF
Insignia
Air Force Ensign
Roundel and Fin Flash
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Sukhoi Su-30MKM, F/A-18F, MiG-29
Helicopter	EC 725, Alouette III, S-61 Sea King, Sikorsky S-70
Interceptor	F-5E
Patrol	Super King Air
Reconnaissance	RF-5
Trainer	BAE Hawk, MB-339, Pilatus PC-7
Transport	Airbus A400M, C-130, CASA CN-235, 737,

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF; Malay: Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (TUDM)) was formed on 2 June 1958 as the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan). However, its roots can be traced back to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force formations of the British Royal Air Force in then colonial British Malaya. Today, the Royal Malaysian Air Force operates a unique mix of modern American, European and Russian-made aircraft.

The Malaysian air forces trace their lineage to the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force formations of the Royal Air Force (RAF) raised in 1934. They later transformed into the Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force (SSVAF) and the Malaya Volunteer Air Force (MVAF) formed in 1940 and dissolved in 1942 during the height of the Japanese advance over Malaya. The latter was re-established in 1950 in time for the Malayan Emergency and contributed very much to the war effort. On 2 June 1958, the MVAF finally became the Royal Federation of Malaya Air Force (RFMAF), this date is celebrated as RMAF Day yearly. On 25 October 1960, after the end of the Malayan Emergency, the RAF handed over their first base in Malaya to the RFMAF, at Simpang Airport; it was established on 1 June 1941, in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur which was formerly part of Selangor and the national capital city. 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 Federation of Malaya 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 its first combat aircraft with the delivery of 20 Canadair CL41G Tebuans (an armed version of the Canadair Tutor trainer). TUDM also received Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopters, to be used in the liaison role.