Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat

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Malaysian Army Aviation - Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat (PUTD) English : Army Aviation is the Army Aviation branch of the Malaysian Army. Currently equipped with helicopters in both the liaison and light observation roles, the Malaysian Army plans to equip PUTD with attack helicopters in support of Malaysian Army units.

1 History
2 Roles and Responsibilities
3 Equipments
4 Units
5 Inventory
6 Future Inventory
7 References

[edit] History

Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat PUTD was formed on 1 July 1994 at the Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia TUDM (Royal Malaysian Air Force) helicopter base in Kluang, Johor. The Army Aviation Project Team was formed to oversee the planning and implementation into the formation of an Army Aviation Wing for the Malaysian Army.

PUTD was started flying operations on 11 March 1995, and 881 Squadron as declared operational, with an initial complement of 10 SA316B Alouette III liaison helicopters that were transferred from TUDM. The Kluang Air base was handed over to PUTD in January 1996. 881 Squadron was declared fully operational on 29 march 1997.

[edit] Roles and Responsibilities

The Role of Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat includes the following :

provide tactical support to Army formations
light reconnaissance role
operate as part of a combined arms team with other Army formations
provide limited aerial fire support to army formations
- anti armour support to Army formations
- direct fire support
- attack targets of opportunity
tactical transport (limited capability)
emergency medevac
long range observation and scouting
in theatre search and rescue

[edit] Equipments

Attack Helicopters

The Malaysian Army has identified the requirement of an attack helicopter [1] for the Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat. Several makes have been considered and evaluated, including the Denel Rooivalk, Sikorsky Apache Longbow and the Eurocopter Tigre. No announcements has been made.

Light Observation Helicopters

PUTD has taken delivery of 11 AgustaWestland A109 Hirundos for LOH duties.

Tactical Transport

This remains a responsibility of the Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia, though it is a logical progression that PUTD will be equipped with light and medium utility helicopters in the future.

[edit] Units

At the moment Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat has one operational squadron (No. 881 Squadron), though more units are planned.

881 Squadron

No. 881 Squadron was formed in 1995 with 10 SA.316 Alouette III liaison helicopters transferred from the Royal Malaysian Air Force along with a group of pilots. The unit is commanded by a Leftenan Kolonel.

In 2006, the squadron was strengthened with the delivery of 11 A109 Hirundo Light Observation Helicopters (LOH). 5 of the A109s were delivered in December 2005 [2] with the balance of the delivery made during 2006. Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat becomes the first operator of the A109 LOH in Asia. [3]

The helicopters will be armed with 70-mm. rockets and 20-mm. machine guns [4]