Royal Malaysian Air Force

Key facts

Official Name Royal Malaysian Air Force
Local Name Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia
Country🇲🇾 Malaysia
World rank#62
Active aircrafts134 as of 2025
Aircrafts on order42
Roundel

Roundel of Malaysia air force

Overview

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is structured as a relatively small but professional force responsible for defending Malaysia's airspace and maritime interests. It operates a diverse mix of American, European, and Russian-made aircraft, a result of historical procurement decisions influenced by geopolitical factors and a desire to avoid over-reliance on a single supplier. This logistical complexity presents sustainment challenges. The RMAF is organized into air operations squadrons and a ground defense regiment, which includes the PASKAU special forces unit for specialized air-ground operations.

Operationally, the RMAF's capabilities are centered on air defense, maritime surveillance, and airlift support for the other branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces. The force has experience participating in joint and combined exercises, such as those under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), which enhances interoperability with regional partners. However, a significant portion of its aircraft inventory is aging, facing sustainment issues exacerbated by the tropical climate, which can affect structural integrity and operational readiness. The RMAF’s strategic doctrine appears focused on safeguarding national sovereignty, with a growing emphasis on maritime domain awareness given the country's extensive coastlines and geopolitical context.

To address capability gaps and equipment obsolescence, the RMAF is pursuing a structured "Capability Plan 2025" (CAP55) outlining acquisition programs. These include the procurement of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to replace older models, Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), and Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Systems to enhance surveillance capabilities. Plans also involve upgrading its air defense network with new long-range and medium-range radar systems.

Origin countries of aircrafts

Country Active Aircraft
🇬🇧 United Kingdom 34
🇺🇸 United States 32
🇫🇷 France 23
🇨🇭 Switzerland 20
🇨🇳 Ex-USSR 18
🇮🇹 Italy 14
🇩🇪 Germany 12
🇪🇺 Europe 4
🇪🇸 Spain 3
🇮🇩 Indonesia 3
🇰🇷 South Korea 0

Evolution of Malaysian Air Force fleet

Aircrafts by type in 2025

Aircraft type Active
Helicopter Helicopter 45
Training Training 36
Combat Combat 26
Transport Transport 19
Other Other 8

Full inventory in 2025

Malaysian Army Air Corps

Royal Malaysian Air Force

Aircraft Type Model Origin Country Model Year Active 𝚫 YoY Ordered
CombatCombat Su-30 🇨🇳 1996 18
0
0
CombatCombat F/A-18D 🇺🇸 1983 8
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter H225M 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 2005 12
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter H120 🇫🇷 1998 5
0
0
TransportTransport C-130H 🇺🇸 1956 10
0
0
TransportTransport A400M 🇪🇺 2013 4
0
0
TransportTransport CN235 🇪🇸 🇮🇩 1988 3
0
0
TransportTransport ATR 72 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 1989 2
+2
0
TrainingTraining PC-7 Mk II 🇨🇭 1978 20
0
0
TrainingTraining Hawk 208 🇬🇧 1976 12
0
0
TrainingTraining Hawk 108 🇬🇧 1976 4
0
0
TrainingTraining FA-50 🇰🇷 2005 0
0
36
OtherOther KC-130H 🇺🇸 1962 4
0
0
OtherOther King Air 200 🇺🇸 1964 2
-1
0
OtherOther King Air 350 🇺🇸 1964 2
0
0

Royal Malaysian Navy

Aircraft Type Model Origin Country Model Year Active 𝚫 YoY Ordered
HelicopterHelicopter Super Lynx 100 🇬🇧 1978 6
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter AS555 🇫🇷 1990 4
-1
0
HelicopterHelicopter AW139 🇬🇧 🇮🇹 2003 2
-1
0
Various public data, including Wikipedia, Flightglobal.com, SIPRI Arms Transfer and official government websites.