SINCE its humble beginning, the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) has developed to a well-established organisation, equipped with modern naval assets and stand ready to face challenges in order to uphold peace and sovereignty of Brunei Darussalam whilst upholding the ‘Melayu, Islam, Beraja’ or ‘Malay, Islamic, Monarchy’ Philosophy that accentuated in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Core Values.
History
It all started on June 14, 1965, four years after the formation of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The Royal Brunei Navy was then known as the Boat Section with the strength of only 18 including one officer from the First Battalion, who attended a basic military course in Malaya from 1961 until 1964.
This Boat Section was equipped with a number of aluminium boats, known as Temuai and Fast Assault Boats (FABs). Back then; the navy’s role was solely transportation of infantry elements to the interior waters of Brunei. The organisation expanded with the aid of stable economic growth throughout the years.
In 1966 the Boat Section was known as the Boat Company. In the middle of 1966, the Boat Company received three River Patrol Boats. These boats were named after KDB BENDAHARA, KDB MAHARAJALELA and KDB KERMAINDERA.
All the ships were manned by Bruneian lead by a qualified Commanding Officer.
In the same year, the strength of Boat Company was enhanced with Hovercraft Vessels type SR.N5 and followed by SR.N6 in 1968.
In 1968, its first Fast Patrol Craft KDB PAHLAWAN subsequently became the first Flag Ship for this unit.
During this period, the estimated Workforce strength of Angkatan Laut Pertama, Askar Melayu Diraja Brunei was 42 sailors including officers with assets consisted of one Fast Patrol Craft Vessel, three River Patrol Boats, two Hovercraft Vessels, Fast Assault Boats, Long Boats and Temuai.
In 1971, two Coastal Patrol Crafts, KDB SALEHA and KDB MASNA joined the service. The prime roles were to conduct patrols within Brunei Bay and along the coastline of Brunei Darussalam. The Landing crafts were first introduced in 1976.
KDB Damuan and KDB PUNI later joined by her sister landing crafts that were KDB TERABAN and KDB SERASA. The main tasks were to transport troops and their vehicles to Temburong District.
The year 1978 saw the first modernisation programme of the Royal Brunei Navy when its first Missile Gun Boat, KDB WASPADA was commissioned to enter the service followed by her sister ships KDB PEJUANG and KDB SETERIA in the following year. Their main armament were Exocet MM38 surface to surface missile and 30mm Gun.
The ‘WASPADA’ Class had recorded history and contributed to the nation during their days serving in the Navy until the day they were decommissioned in Mid 2010. These vessels had broadened the horizon of the Navy’s coverage in conducting patrols of up to 200 nautical miles from the shore.
Protecting maritime sovereignty : Vision, mission and roles
In order to contribute effectively to the security of the nation’s profound interest on the offshore assets, as well as to support peace in the global arena, it is imperative for the Royal Brunei Navy to advance and thrive.
Hence, the Royal Brunei Navy is upholding its vision that is, to deliver robust, responsive and resource efficient Navy.
The vision is parallel with the Navy’s mission that is, ‘to defend the maritime sovereignty and territorial integrity of Brunei Darussalam’.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MINDEF
The main mission of the Royal Brunei Navy is in alignment with the Ministry of Defence White Paper and Strategic Plan, which is to maintain sovereignty of Brunei waters.
As an effort to conform to its Vision and Mission, notwithstanding the roles of the Navy that will always be a priority, the Navy’s aspirations and developmental goals evolved in cognisant with the threats.
The Navy upholds the roles of Conducting Surveillance and Enforcing Territorial Integrity of Brunei Darussalam; Controlling Maritime Focal Areas; and Protection of Key National Assets and Infrastructure as well as other National Tasks.
Progress and achievements
The Royal Brunei Navy welcomed the newly acquired Fast Patrol Boats in 2010. These boats intended to replace the decommissioned Missile Gun Boats and having the capability of endurance to stay longer at sea. The ‘IJHTIHAD’ Class consisting of, KDB IJHTIHAD, KDB BERKAT, KDB SYAFAAT and KDB AFIAT were built in Germany and are able to replace the roles of the ‘WASPADA’ Class.
In the following year, the Navy firepower was further enhanced by the three Patrol Vessels (PV), the ‘DARUSSALAM’ Class. KDB DARUSSALAM, KDB DARULEHSAN and KDB DARULAMAN were commissioned by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and also the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
These ships are equipped with the state-of-the-art weapons system-equipment so as to augment the Navy’s performance. Another version of the Patrol Vessel was later joined in the year 2014, bearing the name ‘KDB DARUTTAQWA’ to be the training platform for the Officers and Men of the navy apart from carrying out the same roles as the others.
These vessels are able to sustain operation up to 21 days without replenishing at sea. Due to its capability, the Navy was able to send three trips of food and necessities from the people of Brunei Darussalam to the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan also known as Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban, Republic of the Philippines, in November 2013.
Another addition to the assets of the Navy was KDB MUSTAED, a 21-metre ship that has the ability to conduct interception with its high speed and agility, which was commissioned in 2011. The ship was built in the Republic of Singapore with the main task to patrol the coastline of Brunei Darussalam as well as the offshore oil platforms.
The Navy also progressed with the introduction of Female Officers to work onboard the ships and given the equal opportunity to advance in their career on equal footing as their male peers.
Today, the Navy has a total of 14 female officers serving in the Executive Branch in varying vocations such as Officer Under Training, Officer of the Watch, Executive Officer and Assistant Principal Warfare Officer.
Sailing beyond the horizon : Enhancing diplomatic relations
At present, the Royal Brunei Navy is equipped with 16 ships and with the strength of more than 1,200 personnel, men and women. Royal Brunei Navy’s current assets and capabilities have raised its standard to be at par with the other friendly navies.
As an effort to support the nation to widen the diplomatic relations with other countries, the Royal Brunei Navy frequently participates in bilateral exercises such as the Exercise Penguin with Royal Australian Navy, Exercise Seagull with the Philippine Navy, Exercise Helang Laut with Indonesian Navy, Exercise Hornbill with Royal Malaysian Navy, Exercise Pelican with Republic of Singapore Navy, Exercise CARAT and SEACAT with the United States Navy.
The cooperation and interaction did not stop at bilateral exercise but also expands at the multilateral exercises such as, ADMM-Plus Field Training Exercises on Maritime Security, Exercise KAKADU in Australia, Exercise RIMPAC in Hawaii, United States of America, Exercise AMAN in Pakistan, Maritime Info-Sharing Exercise in Republic of Singapore, Exercise KOMODO in Indonesia, LIMA Sea Exercise in Malaysia and Multinational Sea Exercise in China.
From its humble start to where it is now, RBN has projected itself in the international community for a common global cause; that is promoting peace and stability. RBN now can stand tall among its peers and be proud of its achievements.
Arriving to the 50 years anniversary : the celebration
The Royal Brunei Navy’s Golden Jubilee falls on Monday June 14, 2015 and the Grand Parade was held at the Muara Naval Base Parade Square.
- Borneo Bulletin Online. Monday, June 14, 2015.
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