In the annals of Brunei’s history, May 31, 1961, stands as a pivotal date marking the official formation of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), a momentous occasion that laid the foundation for the nation’s defence apparatus.
Born as the Brunei Malay Regiment, later bestowed with the royal title of Askar Melayu Diraja Brunei (Royal Brunei Malay Regiment) on May 31, 1965, this military institution emerged as a steadfast guardian of Brunei’s sovereignty and security.
Amidst the backdrop of Brunei’s regal coronation ceremonies, held on October 5, 1967, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the 29th Sultan of Brunei, reaffirmed the enduring commitment to his father’s legacy, emphasising the pursuit of peace, tranquillity and prosperity for the nation. This solemn vow echoed the resolute dedication to safeguarding Brunei’s honour and prosperity, a sentiment deeply ingrained within the ethos of the RBAF.
As Brunei embarked on its journey towards independence in 1984, the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment underwent a transformative metamorphosis, evolving into the formidable RBAF.
With His Majesty assuming the mantle of Minister of Defence, a new era dawned, characterised by unwavering dedication to fortifying Brunei’s military capabilities and fostering robust defence diplomacy.
Under the visionary leadership of His Majesty, the RBAF embarked on a trajectory of unparalleled growth and modernisation, bolstering its military prowess and enhancing defence diplomacy initiatives.
The strategic evolution served as a bulwark against external threats while safeguarding Brunei’s economic, political, and security interests with steadfast resolve.
As the custodian of Brunei’s defence legacy, the RBAF remains an indomitable force, resolute in its commitment to upholding the nation’s sovereignty and security, a beacon of strength and resilience in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
SENTINEL STRENGTH
Celebrating more than six decades of dedicated service, the RBAF paid homage to the valiant men and women who stand as sentinels of the nation’s security. Each year, on May 31, the Sultanate reverently acknowledges the contributions of these brave souls who uphold the sacred duty of safeguarding Brunei’s sovereignty.
The RBAF remains committed in playing a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as their primary objective is to deter any external threats that might attempt to compromise the state, whether directly or indirectly.
As they carry out their mission to defend the nation, they place a strong emphasis on maintaining high standards of discipline and upholding their core values: taqwa, loyalty, courage and professionalism. These principles are instilled in every member of the RBAF, ensuring a unified and committed force.
A key priority for the RBAF is fostering a strong spirit of patriotism and developing effective operational capacities. This commitment aligns with the vision of His Majesty, who aims to cultivate a robust and capable military.
The RBAF has achieved significant milestones that have positively impacted the country’s security. These accomplishments are sustainable and reflect the RBAF’s dedication to their mission and responsibilities.
Under the leadership of His Majesty, the RBAF has seen notable advancements in various areas.
These include the enhancement of human resources, the expansion of capabilities, the strengthening of defence diplomacy and participation in regional and international operations.
Several support structures have been established to bolster operational efficiency.
The RBAF’s commitment to enhancing defence diplomacy and building strong international relationships is evident through their active participation in bilateral and multilateral platforms. These efforts have led to significant achievements and have reinforced the RBAF’s role in the global defence community.
The RBAF will mark its 63rd anniversary this weekend with a grand celebration at Penanjong Garrison. The theme for this year’s anniversary, ‘Towards Making the National Vision a Success’, underscores the RBAF’s dedication to supporting the long-term goals outlined in Brunei Vision 2035.
The two-day event promises a series of impressive activities, beginning with the solidarity jump featuring paratroopers from 11 friendly nations. This will be the first time Special Forces from these countries perform a coordinated jump, highlighting international camaraderie and cooperation.
Another major attraction is the defence industry exhibition, which will display cutting-edge technology related to land forces and security. Exhibitors from 20 countries and 58 suppliers from regions including the West, the Middle East and Asia will be participating, showcasing a wide array of innovations.
The festivities will kick off with a grand parade, and the RBAF band will be performing, adding musical flair to the celebration and highlighting the diverse talents within the armed forces.
GUARDING OUR BORDERS
To commemorate the 62nd RBAF anniversary last year and to enhance operational capabilities, His Majesty approved the establishment of the Fleet Tactical Aircraft Squadron and the expansion of the Royal Brunei Navy’s Patrol Squadron.
The new Tactical Aircraft Squadron provides extensive surveillance over the nation’s exclusive economic zone, bolstering maritime security.
Concurrently, the expansion of the Patrol Squadron, marked by the commissioning of KDB AS-Siddiq, aims to address growing operational demands and extend the scope of maritime operations, particularly in Brunei’s coastal waters. In the realm of defence effectiveness, the RBAF has made significant strides in integrated security and border operations under the guidance of the Joint Forces Headquarters.
Adopting a comprehensive whole-of-government-approach and whole-of-nation strategy, these operations have seen active participation from various units including the Intelligence Battalion, Combat Boat Squadron, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Squadron and the Royal Brunei Navy, alongside national law enforcement agencies.
Moreover, community engagement has been pivotal, with village and district-level institutions actively involved in neighbourhood watch programmes.
This collective effort has yielded notable success, notably evidenced by a decline in arrest cases since the establishment of strategic Area of Operations (AOP) nationwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. The multifaceted approach underscores Brunei’s commitment to ensuring security and stability, both domestically and beyond its borders.
ACADEMIC ADVANCEMENTS
In terms of human capital development, we can take pride in the significant achievements of the educational and training institutions within the RBAF. Courses and programmes conducted at the Defence Academy Training Institute, the training schools of the Army, Navy and Air Force have received both national and international recognition.
This is evident from the high demand by friendly armed forces to participate in professional courses at the RBAF.
In 2023, the Officer Cadet School at the Defence Academy, the Infantry School of the Royal Brunei Land Force and the Training Centre of the Royal Brunei Navy welcomed international students for the first time. Starting 2023, the RBAF Training Institute increased its ability to train 960 military personnel annually, compared to only 540 previously. With this development, the RBAF is able to fill longstanding vacant positions over the past few years, strengthen the number of trained soldiers and provide job opportunities to young men and women seeking employment.
In February 2024, the Officer Cadet School had successfully graduated 804 commissioned military officers. Indeed, this significant achievement is clear evidence of the increasing credibility and maturity of the Officer Cadet School, which has also been well-received by friendly nations.
As the cornerstone institution in shaping professional development of RBAF officers, the Defence Academy released the Professional Military Education Manual 2023, underscoring its commitment to excellence in honing the skills of Brunei’s military leaders.
His Majesty, acknowledging the Academy’s crucial role, trusts it to shape knowledgeable RBAF leaders. During the recent Sovereign’s Parade, His Majesty endorsed the vision to establish the Faculty of Military Studies with Universiti Brunei Darussalam, marking a progressive step toward Professional Military Education recognition and Lifelong Learning ethos adoption.
The new faculty offers RBAF officers opportunities to pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Defence and Security Studies, from Officer Cadet to Intermediate Staff Course levels, enhancing their academic journey at the RBAF Command and Staff College. – Izah Azahari
