Royal Brunei Land Forces

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Royal Brunei Land Forces
Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei
Land Forces of Brunei Emblem.png
Coat of Arms of the Royal Brunei Land Forces
Founded31 May 1961
CountryBrunei
BranchArmy
Role1st Battalion - Light Role
2nd Battalion - Light Role
3rd Battalion - Light Role
Support Battalion - Armoured/Engineers
Size3,000
Part of Royal Brunei Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ1st Battalion - Berakas
2nd Battalion - Tutong
3rd Battalion - Penanjong
Support Battalion - Penanjong
Commanders
Commander of Royal Brunei Land ForceBrigadier General Saifulrizal bin Abdul Latif
Deputy Commander of Royal Brunei Land ForceColonel Azman bin Haji Bangkol
Insignia
FlagFlag of Royal Brunei Land Forces.svg

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]

History[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Main article: Military ranks of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces

Commissioned Officers[edit]

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

Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Royal Brunei Land Forces[13]
 20.RBrLF-FM.svg 19.RBrLF-GEN.svg 18.RBrLF-LG.svg 17.RBrLF-MG.svg 16.RBrLF-BG.svg 15.RBrLF-COL.svg 14.RBrLF-LTC.svg 13.RBrLF-MAJ.svg 12.RBrLF-CAPT.svg 11.RBrLF-1LT.svg 10.RBrLF-2LT.svg 09.RBrLF-OC.svg
Fil marsyal Jeneral Leftenan jeneral Mejar jeneral Brigedier jeneral Kolonel Leftenan kolonel Mejar Kapten Leftenan Leftenan muda Pegawai kadet

Enlisted[edit]

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.

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Royal Brunei Land Forces[13]
 Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army Warrant Officer Class 1 Warrant Officer Class 2 Company Sergeant Major Staff Sergeant Sergeant
 Corporal Lance Corporal No insignia
Sarjan mejar
(Jawatan) 		Pegawai waran 1 Pegawai waran 2 Pegawai kadet Staf sarjan Sarjan Koperal Lans koperal Prebet

Equipment[edit]

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

Infantry weapons[edit]

Photo Model Type Calibre Origin Notes
Pistols
High power Inglis (6971784217).jpg
 Browning HP Pistol 9×19mm Parabellum  Belgium
G2-COMBAT.jpg
 Pindad G2  Indonesia [14]
SIG220-Morges.jpg
 SIG Sauer P220 Pistol .45 ACP   Switzerland [15]
Shotguns
Winchester 1200 Defender.png
 Winchester Model 1200/1300 Shotgun 12/16/20 gauge  USA [16]
Assault rifles
M16a1m16a2m4m16a45wi.jpg
 M16A1/A2/A4 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO  USA Standard infantry rifle.
M4A1 ACOG.png
 Bushmaster M4 Carbine  USA [17][18]
SAR 21 RCF module.jpg
 SAR 21  Singapore
Semi-automatic rifles
SLRL1A1.jpg
 L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle Semi-automatic rifle 7.62×51mm  United Kingdom
Sniper rifles
Accuracy International AW.png
 Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO  United Kingdom [19][20]
SAKO M591 .308 win  Finland [21]
Submachine guns
Heckler & Koch MP5-1.jpg
 MP5 Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum  Germany Used by the Special Forces Regiment (RPK)[22]
Heckler & Koch MP7A1.png
 Heckler & Koch MP7 Personal defense weapon 4.6×30mm  Germany Used by the Special Forces Regiment (RPK)[23]
Machine guns
Cis-ultimax-100.jpg
 Ultimax 100 Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO  Singapore
Machine gun M2 1.jpg
 M2 Browning machine gun Heavy machine gun .50 BMG  USA
FN MAG white background.jpg
 FN MAG-58 General purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO  Belgium
SIG MG 710-3.jpg
 SIG MG 710-3   Switzerland

Grenades, rockets and MANPADS[edit]

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Grenade launchers
PEO M203A2 Grenade Launcher.png
 M203 grenade launcher Underbarrel grenade launcher  USA
Anti-tank
Armbrust rocket launcher photo Iraq OIG.jpg
 Armbrust Anti-tank rocket launcher  Germany 500 bought in 1985, eventual requirement was for 2,000.[24]
Instalaza C90-CR-BK (M3).jpg
 C90-CR (M3) Rocket-propelled grenade launcher  Spain

Armoured fighting vehicles[edit]

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Tanks
Irish Scorpion Tank.jpg
 FV101 Scorpion CVR(T) Light tank 16  United Kingdom 16 upgraded as of 2003[24]
Armoured vehicles
Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé, VAB 4x4, army licence registration 6923 0035 photo-1.JPG
 VAB APC 45[24]  France
Royal Army FV105 Sultan IFOR.jpg
 FV105 Sultan Armoured command vehicle 2  United Kingdom
Samson CVR(T) ARV.jpg
 FV106 Samson Armoured recovery vehicle 2[24]  United Kingdom
Light armoured vehicle/Light assault vehicle
Royal Jordanian special Forces.jpg
 Al-Thalab Light armoured assault vehicle Unknown[25]  Jordan

Artillery[edit]

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Howitzers
Light Gun E. T..JPG
 L118 105 mm towed howitzer 6  United Kingdom [26]
Mortars
JGSDF 81mm Mortar L16.JPG
 L16 Mortar 81 mm mortar 24  United Kingdom [24]

Utility and logistical vehicles[edit]

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Utility vehicles
Land Rover, licence registration 'L9 WMK' pic2.JPG
 Land Rover Defender Military light utility vehicle Unknown  United Kingdom
HICOM Handalan (RBAF).jpg
 DefTech Handalan I/II Troop carrier truck 115  Malaysia [27]
Italian military Iveco 40.10WM.jpg
 Iveco VM 90 Troop carrier truck Unknown  Italy [28]
Kia KM-450 Truck.jpg
 KIA

KM 450

Light utility vehicle 1  South Korea Acquired in 2018[29]
Logistical vehicles
Mercedes-Benz Actros 3348 E. T..JPG
 Mercedes-Benz Actros Tractor Unit Unknown  Germany
Mercedes-Benz Atego Truck Unknown  Germany [30]
Iveco EuroCargo 140E28 E5 Ejército español.JPG
 Iveco Eurocargo Truck Unknown  Italy

Watercraft[edit]

Photo Model Type Quantity Origin Notes
Boats
KH-27 Boat 5  Brunei Used for patrols and search and rescue operations [31][32]
Diamondback Airboats Airboat Unknown  USA [33]

Future equipment[edit]

There are reports that Brunei is or was interested in Indonesian APCs to replace the VAB APC[34]

Brunei has expressed purchasing between 40 and 50 of the Indonesian/Turkish Harimau/Kaplan medium tank.[35]

Brunei has also shown interest in Russian equipment including:[36][37]

International ties[edit]

United Kingdom[edit]

Main article: British Military Garrison Brunei

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[edit]

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[38] and the Singapore Army[39] on a regular basis. The RBLF has also conducted regular exercises with the armies of both Australia, China, New Zealand, Philippines and Thailand,[40] while the United States Marine Corps conducts annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) in Brunei.[41]

Alliances[edit]

Gallery[edit]

  • US Navy 090806-N-8539M-214 Rear Adm. Nora Tyson and Capt. Bill Kearns with Brig. Gen. Haji Aminuddin Ihsan.jpg
  • Brunei Army DM-SD-04-17076.jpg
  • USMC-100506-M-4896B-005.jpg
  • Lava Dogs team up with Royal Bruneian Landing Force.jpg
  • Lava Dogs team up with Royal Bruneian Landing Force DVIDS779556.jpg
  • Lava Dogs team up with Royal Bruneian Landing Force DVIDS779557.jpg
  • Lava Dogs team up with Royal Bruneian Landing Force DVIDS779558.jpg

References[edit]

  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. ^ a b 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. ^ "Archived copy". force21.com.sg. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  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. ^ a b "Akta angkatan bersenjata diraja Brunei (Penggal 149)" (PDF). agc.gov.bn (in Malay). 16 December 2013. pp. 1999–2000. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  14. ^ "News Headlines - PISTOL G2 ELITE SHOOTING MATCH HELD BY FIRST..." rblf.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  15. ^ "News Headlines - SUPPORT BATTALION SKILL AT ARMS MEET AND..." land.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  16. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/jastovel/status/1364173670676000773. Retrieved 7 October 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ "HM: RBAF must continue involvement in military exercises with int'l partners". The Scoop. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Brunei Infantry Arms List (Current and Former Types)". www.militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  19. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  20. ^ "Halim Sahari on Instagram: "Moments of Brunei Darussalam's 35th National Day Celebration . . "Menjayakan Wawasan Negara" . . #halimsahari #halimsahariphotography…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  21. ^ "News Headlines - LAWATAN KERJA PEMERINTAH ABDB KE TENTERA..." land.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  22. ^ "HM: RBAF must continue involvement in military exercises with int'l partners". The Scoop. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  23. ^ "Terima anugerah Warga Kehormat RPK | Media Permata". 20 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  24. ^ a b c d e IISS (2012), p. 231
  25. ^ "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.
  26. ^ "British Army - Artillery - 105mm Light Gun - Armed Forces - a6a6". www.armedforces.co.uk.
  27. ^ "Capabilities & Facilities". DefTech. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  28. ^ 梁雨柔. "Brunei's Sultan cautions army of cyber-related threats - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  29. ^ "News - HANDOVER CEREMONY OF KIA MILITARY VEHICLE..." www.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  30. ^ "Military Vehicle Photos".
  31. ^ "News - KH-27 PATROL BOATS JOINS THE RBLF". mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  32. ^ Guan, Tan Wee (21 April 2018). "RBLF receives patrol boats for search, rescue ops". Asia News Network. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  33. ^ "Royal Brunei Land Forces – Airboat Afrika". www.airboatafrika.com. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  34. ^ "Brunei to purchase RI-made APCs". Archived from the original on 14 July 2015.
  35. ^ "Harimau medium tanks for Brunei and the Philippines | November 2018 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2018 | Archive News year".
  36. ^ Administrator. "Brunei shows interest for Russian-made air defence missile systems and upgraded tanks T-90MS 2004122". www.armyrecognition.com.
  37. ^ "The Global Intelligence Files - [OS] RUSSIA/BRUNEI/MIL - Sultan of Brunei interested in the "flying tank"". wikileaks.org.
  38. ^ Bilateral Page 2 Archived 20 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
  39. ^ Bilateral Page 3 Archived 23 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
  40. ^ Bilateral Page 1 Archived 23 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007
  41. ^ Bilateral Page 8 Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved 23 April 2007

Works cited[edit]

  • International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2012). "The Military Balance 2012". The Military Balance : Annual Estimates of the Nature and Size of the Military Forces of the Principal Powers. London: IISS. ISSN 0459-7222.

External links[edit]

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