Special Warfare Training Centre (Malaysia)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Special Warfare Training Centre
Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus
ڤوست لاتيهن ڤڤراڠن خصوص
PULPAK Emblem
Active
  • 1 August 1976 — as PLPK ATM
  • 1 January 1977 — Fully Operational
  • 1985 — as PLPK TD
  • 1995–present — as PULPAK
Country Malaysia
Branch Malaysian Army
TypeSpecial Operations Training Centre
RoleRecruit, assess, select, train, and educate the Malaysian Army 21 GGK and Malaysia Armed Forces by providing basic and advanced special operations training, education, and doctrine.
Part of Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command
Garrison/HQSungai Udang Camp, Malacca
Nickname(s)"Kilang Gerak Khas"
('Gerak Khas Factory')
Motto(s)Pengetahuan Kejayaan
('Knowledge Success')
Commanders
CommandantColonel Zulkinine Yunus
Insignia
Beret Flash

The Special Warfare Training Centre (Abbr.: SWTC; Malay: Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus (PULPAK); Jawi: ڤوست لاتيهن ڤڤراڠن خصوص) is a Malaysian Army training centre located at the Sungai Udang Camp in Malacca. The primary purpose is to provide basic commando courses and specialised courses and training for personnel from the 21st Special Service Group, 10th Parachute Brigade, and elite units of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia — ATM) to strengthen the Malaysian defensive garrison against enemies and terrorists.

SWTC also provides training to personnel from the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Coast Guard, the Johor Military Force, and the special operations forces of neighbouring nations, such as Brunei, Myanmar, and the Maldives.[1][2]

SWTC is managed by the 21st Special Service Group and administered by the Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command (Markas Pemerintahan Latihan dan Doktrin Tentera Darat). The technical control of SWTC is overseen by the Special Forces Operation Cell (Sel Operasi Pasukan Khusus — SOPASUS) of the Operations and Training Wing (Cawangan Operasi dan Latihan — OPLAT) of the Malaysian Army Command (Markas Tentera Darat).[3][better source needed]

History[edit]

Regional political and military changes in Southeast Asia have led to the idea of establishing a special training facility to train personnel with specialised knowledge, particularly for Gerak Khas members. The training centre was established on 1 August 1976, at Sungai Udang Camp in Malacca as Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (PLPK ATM). On 1 January 1977, the centre became fully operational. Prior to the creation of PLPK, every MAF's special operations personnel received specialised training at overseas military academies. The rising expense of sending them overseas is another factor in the development of PLPK. Before the foundation of PLPK, members of the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment (now known as the 21st Commando Regiment) conducted fundamental courses such as the Basic Commando Course (Kursus Asas Komando).[1]

PLPK ATM was renamed Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas Tentera Darat (PLPK TD) in 1985, after the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) each established their own special operations training centre at their respective bases. PLPK TD changed its name once more in 1995, when all training institutes under the Malaysian Army were renamed in accordance with the creation of the Army Training Administration (Pemerintahan Latihan Tentera Darat). It is currently called the Special Warfare Training Centre (Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus (PULPAK)) and is administered by the Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command.[1]

Roles[edit]

SWTC's objective is to provide specialised training and courses to all military personnel in accordance with the present situation. SWTC tasks include:[1][3]

  • To conduct basic commando training for the Malaysian Army and other military services.
  • To train personnel of special operations forces as well as regular soldiers in specialised training and special operations as required by higher authority.
  • To conduct advanced training for special operations forces and army personnel as directed by higher authority.
  • To conduct training evaluation tests on special operations forces.
  • To provide observers and qualified instructors for specialised assignments in special operations forces.
  • To revise and analyse all doctrines pertaining to specialised training and operations.

Training Module[edit]

Most of the SWTC instructors come from the 21st Special Service Group and the 10th Parachute Brigade. They keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date by going to military schools in other countries. [4][5][6][better source needed]

At SWTC, there are five training wings, each of which offers specialised courses.

Commando Wing[edit]

Special Stratagem Wing[edit]

Parachute Wing[edit]

Rigger Wing[edit]

  • Basic Parachute Rigger and Maintenance Course
  • Inspector of Rigging and Maintenance

Amphibious Wing[edit]

Former Commandant[edit]

Name Year
Colonel Hussin bin Awang Senik, 1 January 1977 – 1 March 1978
Colonel Borhan bin Ahmad 1 March 1978 – 1 January 1981
Colonel Hasbullah bin Yusof 1 January 1981 – 16 November 1983
Colonel Mohd Ramli bin Ismail 16 November 1983 – 16 January 1987
Colonel Ghazali bin Ibrahim 16 January 1987 – 16 January 1990
Colonel Zainuddin bin Taib 16 January 1990 – 1 August 1991
Colonel Ahmad Rodi bin Zakaria 1 August 1991 – 1 May 1995
Colonel Mohd Shahrin bin Hj. Abd Majid 1 May 1995 – 16 May 1997
Colonel Muhamad Yasin bin Yahya 16 May 1997

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Prior to 1985, SWTC conducted the Basic Commando Course for all three branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces: Gerak Khas, PASKAL, and HANDAU.
  2. ^ Two sniper courses are offered by the Malaysian Army. SWTC conducts a sniper course for special forces, whereas the Army Combat Training Center (Pusat Latihan Tempur Tentera Darat (PULADA)) provides the infantry sniper course.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "'Kilang' lahirkan pasukan elit". Utusan Online. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
  2. ^ SSjn Mohd Noor Sabar (2018-04-21). "Penutup Kursus Juruselam Siri JS 1/2018". Berita Tentera Darat Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  3. ^ a b "PULPAK". pulpak.blogspot.my. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
  4. ^ Masood, Maslinda (April 2005). "Tidur sebantal, mimpi yang sama, itulah wira Gerak Khas - Brig Gen Harun". Berita Tentera Darat Malaysia.
  5. ^ "First Regimental Sergeant Major of the Malaysian Armed Forces". MY Military Times. 2019-10-18. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  6. ^ "SEJARAH CAWANGAN RIGGER". rigger-pulpak.blogspot.my. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  7. ^ "HRH Crown Prince of Johor's 8 Years of Military Training". johorsoutherntigers.com.