Royal Brunei Land Forces

The Royal Brunei Land Forces (Malay: Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei, abbreviated TDDB) is the land component of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The RBLF has responsibility for maintaining the territorial defence of Brunei, both from attack from outsiders,[1] and by assisting the Royal Brunei Police in maintaining law and order.[2]

Royal Brunei Land Forces
Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei
Coat of Arms of the Royal Brunei Land Forces
Founded	31 May 1963
Country	Brunei
Branch	Army
Role	1st Battalion - Light Role 2nd Battalion - Light Role 3rd Battalion - Light Role Support Battalion - Armoured/Engineers
Size	3,000
Part of	Royal Brunei Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ	1st Battalion - Berakas 2nd Battalion - Tutong 3rd Battalion - Penanjong Support Battalion - Penanjong
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier General Pg Dato Aminan Pg Hj Mahmud

History

The Royal Brunei Land Forces was formed in May 1961 with the formation of the Brunei Malay Regiment, when the first intake of 60 recruits began training. The formal foundation of the regiment occurred in June 1962 when men of the first three intakes were formed into the regimental headquarters and three rifle companies.[3] In 1965, the regiment received the royal prefix, becoming the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment. Initially stationed at Port Dickson in Malaya, the regiment was soon moved to a purpose built barracks in Brunei itself. The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment established two new units, the Boat Section and the Air Service in 1965 to increase its capabilities further. These two units, together with the infantry, were amalgamated into a single task force in 1966.[4]

In 1972, the regiment's structure was changed, with the infantry, aviation and naval sections split into separate units once again. The infantry companies became the 1st Battalion, Royal Brunei Malay Regiment, with a total of five rifle companies. Three years later, the 2nd Battalion, Royal Brunei Malay Regiment was formed by deamalgamating B and E Companies of the 1st Battalion.[4]

In 1984, Brunei achieved full independence from the United Kingdom. At that time, the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment was renamed as the Royal Brunei Land Forces, part of the wider Royal Brunei Armed Forces. In 1990, the Support Battalion was formed comprising an armoured reconnaissance squadron, air defence battery and combat engineer squadron, together with maintenance and administrative support. In 1994, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Brunei Land Forces was formed from members of D Company, 1st Battalion RBLF and F Company, 2nd Battalion RBLF, while the air defence battery and engineering workshop were transferred from the Support Battalion to the Royal Brunei Air Force and the Support Service respectively.[5]

In 9 July 2011, the RBLF conducted trials to replace their DPM BDUs with Digital Disruptive Pattern BDUs under a contract with Force-21 Equipment.[6]

Organisation

Bruneian soldiers during the CARAT 2010 exercise

The Royal Brunei Land Forces is organised as four separate battalions:[7]

• First Battalion
• Second Battalion
• Third Battalion
• Support Battalion

First Battalion

The First Battalion was established in 1962; the organisation consisted of the first three intakes undertaking basic military training. At the beginning, the organisation was set up in Segenting Camp, Port Dickson, Malaysia. After the development of Berakas Garrison in 1975, the organisation was then changed to the First Battalion Land Force. Under the command of Colonel J. F. Davis, the force consisted of the various departments, including Markas Company, and five Rifle Companies (A, B, C, D and E).[8]

Second Battalion

The Second Battalion was formed on 2 January 1975 at the Bolkiah Garrison. Before this, the Battalion was comprised Company B and E of the First Battalion under the command of the then Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel A.E. Hibbert. The battalion moved to Tutong Camp on 10 May 1976. Following the formation of the Second Battalion, Pengiran Ratna Indera Lieutenant Colonel Pengiran Dato Setia Ibnu bin Pengiran Datu Penghulu Pengiran Haji Apong was then appointed as the commanding officer in charge.[9]

Third Battalion

The Third Battalion was formed and established on 31 May 1994. The battalion was made up of D Company from the First Battalion and F Company of the Second Battalion and the Command Company from the First and Second Battalion. Major Shahlan bin Hidup was the first appointed Commanding Officer in charge of the Battalion. Previously based in Penanjong Garrison,[10] as of 21 June 2007, the Battalion has relocated to a new camp at Lumut in the Belait District.[11]

Support Battalion

The Support Unit was originally established based on five major units; namely an Armoured Reconnaissance Squadron, a Combat Engineer Squadron, an Air Defence Battery, the Penanjong Workshop and Penanjong Garrison Headquarters. It was reorganised on 2 January 1990, and officially established as the Support Battalion, which comprises three major units; namely, an Armoured Reconnaissance Squadron, a Combat Engineer Squadron and the Company Headquarters Support Battalion.[12]

Rank Structure

Main article: Military ranks of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces

Commissioned Officers

The rank insignia for commissioned officers for the Royal Brunei Land Forces.

Equivalent NATO code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D) and student officer
Brunei (Edit)
	Field Marshal		General		Lieutenant General		Major General		Brigadier General		Colonel		Lieutenant Colonel		Major		Captain		Lieutenant			Second Lieutenant			Officer Cadet

Enlisted

Unlike most Commonwealth armed forces, Brunei has maintained 4 warrant officer ranks, used in conjunction with the standard Commonwealth NCO and enlisted personnel and ratings ranks. The following are the rank insignia for enlisted personnel for the Royal Brunei Land Forces.

Equivalent NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Brunei (Edit)																	No equivalent												No insignia
	Force Sergeant Major			Warrant Officer Class 1			Warrant Officer Class 2	Company Sergeant Major	Staff sergeant		Sergeant												Corporal				Lance corporal		Private (or equivalent)

Equipment

The RBLF uses a mix of imported equipment from various suppliers (mainly British, but French, German, Russian, Indonesian and Ukrainian as well).

Infantry weapons

Photo	Model	Type	Calibre	Origin	Notes
Pistols
	Browning HP	Pistol	9×19mm Parabellum	Belgium
	Pindad G2			Indonesia	[13]
Assault rifles
	M16A1/A2/A4	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	USA	Standard infantry rifle.
	SAR 21			Singapore
	Heckler & Koch HK416			Germany
Semi-automatic rifles
	L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle	Semi-automatic rifle	7.62×51mm	United Kingdom
Sniper Rifles
	Accuracy International Arctic Warfare	Sniper rifle	7.62×51mm NATO	United Kingdom	[14][15]
Submachine guns
	MP5	Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	Germany	Used by the Special Forces Regiment (RPK)[16]
	Heckler & Koch MP7	Personal defense weapon	4.6×30mm	Germany	Used by the Special Forces Regiment (RPK)[17]
Machine guns
	Ultimax 100	Light machine gun	5.56×45mm NATO	Singapore
	M2 Browning machine gun	Heavy machine gun	.50 BMG	USA
	FN MAG-58	General purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	Belgium
	SIG MG 710-3			Switzerland

Grenades, rockets and MANPADS

Photo	Model	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes
Grenade launchers
	M203 grenade launcher	Underbarrel grenade launcher		USA
Anti-tank
	Armbrust	Anti-tank rocket launcher		Germany	[18] 500 bought in 1985, eventual requirement was for 2,000
	C90-CR (M3)	Rocket-propelled grenade launcher		Spain
Anti-aircraft
	Mistral	MANPADS		France	[19]

Armoured fighting vehicles

Photo	Model	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes
Tanks
	FV101 Scorpion CVR(T)	Light tank	16	United Kingdom	16 upgraded as of 2003[18]
Armoured vehicles
	VAB	APC	45[18]	France
	FV105 Sultan	Armoured command vehicle	2	United Kingdom
	FV106 Samson	Armoured recovery vehicle	2[18]	United Kingdom
Light Armoured Vehicle/Light Assault Vehicle
	Al-Thalab	Light Armoured Assault vehicle	Unknown[20]	Jordan

Artillery

Photo	Model	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes
Howitzers
	L118	105 mm towed howitzer	6	United Kingdom	[21]
Mortars
	L16 Mortar	81 mm mortar	24	United Kingdom	[18]

Utility and logistical vehicles

Photo	Model	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes
Utility vehicles
	Land Rover Defender	Military light utility vehicle	Unknown	United Kingdom
	HICOM Handalan I/II	Troop carrier truck	115	Malaysia
	KIA KM 450	Light utility vehicle	1	South Korea	Acquired in 2018[22]
Logistical vehicles
	Mercedes-Benz Actros	Tractor Unit	Unknown	Germany
	Mercedes-Benz Atego	Truck	Unknown	Germany	[23]
	Iveco Eurocargo	Truck	Unknown	Italy

Aircraft

Photo	Model	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
	Banshee	Target drone	Unknown	United Kingdom	[24]

Watercraft

Photo	Model	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes
Boats
	KH-27	Boat	5	Brunei	Used for patrols and search and rescue operations [25][26]

Future equipment

There are reports that Brunei is or was interested in Indonesian APCs to replace the VAB APC[27]

Brunei has expressed interest in purchasing between 40 and 50 of the Indonesian/Turkish Harimau/Kaplan medium tank.[28]

Brunei has also shown interest in Russian equipment including:[29][30]

• Kamov Ka-50 attack helicopters
• Kh-35 BAL-E coastal missile system
• SA-15 Tor missile system
• SA-17 Buk missile system
• T-90 main battle tanks

International ties

United Kingdom

The Royal Brunei Land Forces has significant ties to the British Army, due in no small part to the fact that there is a permanent British garrison in Brunei. Following the Brunei Revolt in 1962, an agreement was signed between Brunei and the United Kingdom that a battalion of Gurkhas would be stationed in the country to protect various British interests, most notably the major oil installations at Seria. The current garrison consists of a battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, plus a flight of helicopters from the Army Air Corps in support. However, Brunei is also used by the British Army in general for training in jungle warfare. The presence of one of the British Army's few significant overseas garrisons provides an opportunity to assist the RBLF in its training.

Other nations

The RBLF maintains close ties with many other nations, both in the South-East Asia region and elsewhere. The RBLF conducts exercises with the Malaysian Army[31] and the Singapore Army[32] on a regular basis. The RBLF has also conducted regular exercises with the armies of both Australia, China, New Zealand, Philippines and Thailand,[33] while the United States Marine Corps conducts annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) in Brunei.[34]

Alliances

•  United Kingdom - Brigade of Gurkhas
•  Singapore - Singapore Armed Forces

Gallery

Royal Brunei Land Forces soldiers in digital camouflage uniforms and NBC suits during the National Day

References

1. Roles Page 1 Royal Brunei Land Forces Archived 5 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
2. Roles Page 3 Royal Brunei Land Forces Archived 5 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
3. History Page 1 Royal Brunei Land Forces Archived 20 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
4. History Page 2 Royal Brunei Land Forces Archived 25 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
5. History Page 5 Royal Brunei Land Forces Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
6. https://web.archive.org/web/20190927141235/https://force21.com.sg/newsandevents/royal-brunei-armed-forces-rbaf-awarded-force-21-with-three-contracts/
7. Page 1 Organisation Royal Brunei Land Force Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
8. Page 2 Organisation Royal Brunei Land Force Archived 22 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
9. Page 3 Organisation Royal Brunei Land Force Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
10. Page 4 Organisation Royal Brunei Land Force Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
11. New Lumut Camp Celebrates Nisfu Syaaban Archived 29 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 18 February 2009
12. Page 5 Organisation Royal Brunei Land Force Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
13. "News Headlines - PISTOL G2 ELITE SHOOTING MATCH HELD BY FIRST..." rblf.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
14. "BIBD on Instagram: "First rehearsals for the 35th National Day is in full effect. Take note, roads around Taman SOAS is closed for traffic. . #NBD35 #brunei"". Instagram. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
15. "Halim Sahari on Instagram: "Moments of Brunei Darussalam's 35th National Day Celebration . . "Menjayakan Wawasan Negara" . . #halimsahari #halimsahariphotography…"". Instagram. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
16. "HM: RBAF must continue involvement in military exercises with int'l partners". The Scoop. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
17. "Terima anugerah Warga Kehormat RPK | Media Permata". 20 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
18. IISS (2012), p. 231
19. Lagu: Pahlawan Bangsa Ku - Sempena Ulang Tahun Yang Ke-56 Tahun ABDB (2017), retrieved 21 December 2019
20. "RBAF stages large-scale exercise using new military equipment, vehicles | The Brunei Times". 13 January 2015. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
21. "British Army - Artillery - 105mm Light Gun - Armed Forces - a6a6". www.armedforces.co.uk.
22. "News - HANDOVER CEREMONY OF KIA MILITARY VEHICLE..." www.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
23. http://www.military-vehicle-photos.com/picture/number8680.asp. Missing or empty |title= (help)
24. Lagu: Pahlawan Bangsa Ku - Sempena Ulang Tahun Yang Ke-56 Tahun ABDB (2017), retrieved 21 December 2019
25. "News - KH-27 PATROL BOATS JOINS THE RBLF". mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
26. Guan, Tan Wee (21 April 2018). "RBLF receives patrol boats for search, rescue ops". Asia News Network. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
27. "Brunei to purchase RI-made APCs". Archived from the original on 14 July 2015.
28. https://www.armyrecognition.com/november_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/harimau_medium_tanks_for_brunei_and_the_philippines.html
29. Administrator. "Brunei shows interest for Russian-made air defence missile systems and upgraded tanks T-90MS 2004122". www.armyrecognition.com.
30. "The Global Intelligence Files - [OS] RUSSIA/BRUNEI/MIL - Sultan of Brunei interested in the "flying tank"". wikileaks.org.
31. Bilateral Page 2 Archived 20 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
32. Bilateral Page 3 Archived 23 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
33. Bilateral Page 1 Archived 23 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
34. Bilateral Page 8 Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007

Works cited

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2012). The Military Balance 2012. London: IISS. ISSN 0459-7222.

External links

• Royal Brunei Armed Forces