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. Its primary purpose is to conduct special forces selection and to provide specialised courses and training for personnel from the 21st Special Service Group, 10th Parachute Brigade, and other elite units of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia — ATM) to strengthen Malaysia's defensive garrison against enemies and terrorists.[1]
| Special Warfare Training Centre | |
|---|---|
| Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus ڤوست لاتيهن ڤڤراڠن خصوص | |
 PULPAK Emblem | |
| Founded | 1 August 1976 |
| Country |  Malaysia |
| Branch |  Malaysian Army |
| Type | Special Operations Training Centre |
| Role | To recruit, assess, select, train, and educate members of the Malaysian Army's 21 GGK and the Malaysian Armed Forces. This is achieved by offering basic and advanced special operations training, education, and doctrine. |
| Part of |  Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Sungai Udang Camp, Malacca |
| Nickname(s) | "Kilang Gerak Khas" ('Gerak Khas Factory') |
| Motto(s) | Pengetahuan Kejayaan ('Knowledge Success') |
| Commanders | |
| Commandant | Lieutenant Colonel Valzahmer Errino Mohd Tahir |
| Insignia | |
| Beret Flash |  |
The SWTC also provides training to personnel from the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Coast Guard, the Johor Military Force, and the special forces of neighbouring nations, such as Brunei, Myanmar, and the Maldives.[2][3]
The SWTC is managed by the 21st Special Service Group and administered by the 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).[4][better source needed]
History
editEstablishment as Special Warfare Training Centre of Malaysian Armed Forces
editRegional political and military changes in Southeast Asia led to the idea of establishing a special training facility to provide personnel with specialised knowledge, particularly for Gerak Khas members. On 1 August 1976, the training centre was established at Sungai Udang Camp in Malacca as Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (PLPK ATM). By 1 January 1977, the centre had become fully operational and had begun conducting special forces selection.[2][5]
In 1979, the training centre expanded its role to become a comprehensive military school, teaching a variety of special operations skills. Before 1979, MAF's special operations personnel received specialised training at overseas military academies. The rising costs of sending personnel overseas contributed to the development of SWTC. Prior to the foundation of SWTC, 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).[2][5]
Name Change to Special Warfare Training Centre of Malaysian Army
editIn 1985, PLPK ATM was renamed Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas Tentera Darat (PLPK TD) after the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) began conducting their own special forces selection at their respective bases.[5]
Transfer to the Command of the Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command
editIn 1995, PLPK TD changed its name once more when all training institutes under the Malaysian Army were renamed in accordance with the creation of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (Pemerintahan Latihan dan Doktrin Tentera Darat). It is currently called the Special Warfare Training Centre or Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus in Malay and is popularly known by the abbreviation of its Malay name, PULPAK.[note 1] The centre is no longer under the administration of the 21st Special Service Group but is now administered by the Army Training and Doctrine Command.[2]
Roles
editThe SWTC's objectives are to provide specialised training and courses to all military personnel according to the current situation. SWTC's tasks include:[2][4]
- Conducting basic commando training for the Malaysian Army and other military services.
- Training personnel of special forces as well as regular soldiers in specialised training and special operations as required by higher authority.
- Conducting advanced training for special forces and army personnel as directed by higher authority.
- Conducting training evaluation tests on special forces.
- Providing observers and qualified instructors for specialised assignments in special forces.
- Revising and analysing all doctrines pertaining to specialised training and operations.
Training Module
editAt SWTC, most instructors come from the 21st Special Service Group and the 10th Parachute Brigade. They ensure their knowledge and skills are up-to-date by attending military schools in other countries.[6][7][8][better source needed]
SWTC comprises five training wings, each offering specialised courses.
Commando Wing
edit- Basic Commando Course[note 2]
- Sniper Course[note 3][9]
- Sniper Supervisor Course
- Mountaineering Course
- Mountaineering Supervisor Course
Special Stratagem Wing
edit- Small Unit Patrol Course
- Patrol Leader Course
- Patrol Sergeant Course
- Patrol Officer Course
- Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Course
- Abseiling Supervisor Course
Parachute Wing
edit- Basic Parachute Course (Malay: Kursus Asas Payung Terjun)
- Jump master Course
- Basic Free Fall Course
- Advanced Free Fall Course (HAHO/HALO)
- Static Ramp Air Course
- Parachute Instructor Course (Static Line)
- Parachute Instructor Course (Free Fall)
- Pathfinder Course
Rigger Wing
edit- Basic Parachute Rigger and Maintenance Course
- Inspector of Rigging and Maintenance
Amphibious Wing
edit- Small Boat Coxswains Course
- Basic Diving Course
- Diving Instructor Course
- Combat Swimmer Course
- Combat Swimmer Assistant Leader Course
- Combat Swimmer Leader Course
- Basic Demolition Course (Malay: Kursus Asas Letupan)
- Special Demolition Course (Malay: Kursus Letupan Khas)
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- ^ PUsat Latihan PeperangAn Khusus
- ^ Before 1985, the SWTC conducted the Basic Commando Course for all three branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces: Gerak Khas, PASKAL, and HANDAU.
- ^ The Malaysian Army offers two sniper courses. The SWTC conducts a sniper course tailored for special forces, while the Army Combat Training Centre (PULADA) provides the infantry sniper course.
References
edit- ^ Yasir, Iqbal (2024-04-29). "Kehebatan Pasukan Disegani Ramai, Ini Apa Yang Anda Perlu Tahu Tentang Gerup Gerak Khas". siakapkeli.my (in Malay). Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ a b c d e "'Kilang' lahirkan pasukan elit". Utusan Online. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- ^ SSjn Mohd Noor Sabar (2018-04-21). "Penutup Kursus Juruselam Siri JS 1/2018". Berita Tentera Darat Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ a b "PULPAK". pulpak.blogspot.my. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- ^ a b c Abd Rahman, Shamsul Afkar (June 2013). History of Special Operations Forces in Malaysia. Monterey, CA: Naval Postgraduate School.
- ^ Masood, Maslinda (April 2005). "Tidur sebantal, mimpi yang sama, itulah wira Gerak Khas - Brig Gen Harun". Berita Tentera Darat Malaysia.
- ^ "First Regimental Sergeant Major of the Malaysian Armed Forces". MY Military Times. 2019-10-18. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "SEJARAH CAWANGAN RIGGER". rigger-pulpak.blogspot.my. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ^ "HRH Crown Prince of Johor's 8 Years of Military Training". johorsoutherntigers.com.