Malaysia

Malaysia was once part of the British Empire but achieved its independence in August 1957. The Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia - ATM) consists of the Army, Navy, Air Force. In addition the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) protects the coasts and surrounding waters of the nation, while the Royal Malaysian Police (Polis Diraja Malaysia - PDRM) are largely responsible for internal security. Malaysia also has a National Service program sponsored by the Ministry of Defence.

The Malaysian Special Operations Force is a multi service force tasked with a counter-terrorism mission. It consists of the 10 Paratrooper Brigade, Grup Gerak Khas (GGK), Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL), Pasukan Khas Udara (PASKAU), Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK), Unit Gempur Marin (UNGERIN), Trup Tindakan Cepat (Rapid Actions Troops) and Special Task And Rescue (STAR).

Malaysian Camouflage Patterns

• The oldest camouflage pattern in Malaysian service is the M70 Brushstroke pattern, loosely based on the WW2 and 1950s era British designs. Several minor variations have been produced printed on different types of abrics. The pattern was in use with the Malaysian Armed Forces from the 1970s to approximately 1994.

• A new style camouflage design was introduced to the Malaysian Armed Forces in 1994. The M94 "woodland-stripe" pattern (also called zebra-stripe woodland) features horizontal stripes in black, brown and green on a khaki background.

• The Navy's special operations unit, Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL), began wearing a locally-made copy of the US m81 woodland camouflage pattern in 2000.

• This interesting pattern of black & bright red stripes on a tan background is worn by the National Fire & Rescue Service, Bomba dan Penyelamat (BOMBA).

• Participants in the Malaysian National Service Program (Khidmat Negara) began wearing a distinctive camouflage-like design in 2003. It is a horizontal pattern of black, dark blue & light blue on a white background.

Other Camouflage Patterns worn by Malaysia

• The Malaysian contingent to Bosnia (SFOR) in 1996-98 wore British Army issue DPM windproof camouflage smocks and trousers. DPM was also worn for a time by 69 Commando Battalion.