SHAH ALAM: The RMN Special Forces Unit – Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL) is getting M4 Carbines and Glock G17 Gen. 4 semi-automatic pistols, courtesy of the United States. The weapons are part of more than 900 items to be donated including bullet proof vests; spotting scopes and hand-held Thales radios. The donation from the US is part of the Capacity Building Programme which has allowed us to operate radars and other capabilities like the ScanEagle UAS.
Caretaker Defence Minister DS Hishammuddin Hussein made the announcement during his visit to KD Panglima Garang, the Paskal training facility at the Lumut RMN base on October 26. He also said the government is also supplying Paskal with new equipment from sub-machine guns; closed circuit breathing apparatus; static and free fall parachutes and thermal binoculars. A sniper tower will also be built at the training facility to train operators in long range shooting techniques.
As usual Hishammuddin did not identify the sub-machineguns to be procured but a graphic published on his social media showed the Berreta PMX. I understand that the pictures used are for illustration only but they could have used the standard Paskal sub-machine gun, the H&K MP5.
The Army had taken delivery a number of these 9mm sub-guns but it is unclear whether the Paskal will also get them.
It is interesting to note that a tender for sub-machine guns for the Army Special Forces Group – the Grup Gerak Khas – specified a piston driven firearms for them. This means it is SIG MPX submachine gun. It will be interesting to see whether Paskal will also issue the same requirements when the tender for its sub-gun is open for competition.
As for the Glock 17s, Paskal already operates a number of Glocks handguns, from the 17s, 18s, 19s and 26s. The donation of the items is likely part of the Paskal’s long standing relationship with the US Navy Seals – which include training slots and bilateral exercises.
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View Comments (25)
Why on earth is Malaysian most well funded and equipped unit, the PASKAL needs 900 pieces of donated equipment? Unlikely that PASKAL does not have enough Glocks or M4s.
Also why is the defence minister boasting about this like this is his greatest ever achievement?
If getting donation from US considered his greatest achievement as a defence minister, what did he actually do the rest of the time?
Kakadu - "Why on earth is Malaysian most well funded and equipped unit"
One would think that PASKAL has top priority in getting what it needs. Unfortunately as one unit member told me once; it's a myth.
Kakadu - "Unlikely that PASKAL does not have enough Glocks or M4s"
No idea about M-4s and Glocks but the unit doesn't have enough of various things and has also long asked for various things in vain.
Kakadu - "Also why is the defence minister boasting about this"
What do you expect from a politician?
Agreed. These are normal small arms and gear that can be procured from tue market.For aid we should be asking for those items reserved for their key allies like their night vision goggles, cyber security software, etc.
Hasnan - "For aid we should be asking for those items reserved for their key allies like their night vision goggles, cyber security software, etc"
Quite often we do not get to choose what we receive; doesn't work like that. At times were are presented with a list of things they're willing to give and select what we need. As we're not a "key ally" obviously there's stuff we won't get.
Do these items come with string attached? Like alliances or strategic interest?
Looking at the trend, it is likely PASKAL will follow the other services in retiring/relegating their MP5s and get either the Berrettas or Sig MPX. This again could be tied to the infamously high maintenance cost of the MP5.
@kakadu
Our SF, like every others in the world, do often get the short shrift because they have little influence/presence in the overall force makeup and their members don't typically get promoted all the way to helm the regular force. Of course, per soldier, each SF man are more equipped than a regular grunt but thats because their tiny headcount can afford to wiggle with a tinier budget. Most SF, except US, are still dependent on their regular force for a lot of things & support.
Ignoring the connotations, getting free gear from US is always a good thing and we should be thankful to Uncle Sam. Still, its not like we can be a passerby and free stuff will drop on our laps. No, it takes a lot of effort to maintain relations with them and in no small part due to Mindef and the various services. Mind you, as mentioned in the writeup, they are getting other stuff that we bought.
Nope that's why they agreed to the deal. Small arms doesn’t bring any kind of string attached. Its not like we getting Predators or something to that effect.
ewe - "Do these items come with string attached?"
Of course. That we don't pass it to the Al Nusra Front or Popular Front For The Liberation Of Palestine - General Command and we don't use it to shoot unarmed protesters.
ewe - "Like alliances or strategic interest?"
Bolstering the capabilities of littoral states in the region benefits the U.S.
Thanks Marhalim & Azlan for answers.
"This again could be tied to the infamously high maintenance cost of the MP5."
This the first I've heard of it. We can say that some guns require cleaning on a more regular basis or that parts are expensive but "infamously high maintenance cost"? I've spoken to various people who have used it over the years; both here and elsewhere and they had lots of things to say about the MP-5 but I never heard complaints about it being "infamously high" to maintain.....
"Our SF, like every others in the world, do often get the short shrift"
The point is that in various other countries SF units get priority in funding which was the case here but as it stands; despite the popular assumption that SF units are well funded and are prioritised; alas that isn't always the case as was made clear to me.
"because they have little influence/presence in the overall force"
Depends on which country. In the U.S. SF units after WW2 and Vietnam got downsized because it was felt they weren't needed anymore and because the "big" or conventional" army saw them as an aberation and didn't fully understand their capabilities. Up until the 1980's SF units still had a hard time and even in Desert Storm the
"big" or conventional" army still didn't fully grasp what SF units could contribute.
Over here SF units from Day One have long been part of the overall psyche of the army and there has never been resistance from the top or senior brass who saw SF units as a waste funds and a distraction. Part of it has to do with our counter insurgency lineage and of course the mystic and allure associated with SF units or as is generically use here "commandos" even though "commando units are not SF per see.
"except US, are still dependent on their regular force for a lot of things & support"
Even U.S. SF units can still be dependent on "regular force" or non SF units for certain types of support. A large part of why JSOC was formed was to redundancy and increase efficiency by fully maximising the capabiliies/assets the various SF units have.
"in no small part due to Mindef and the various services"
Also in no small part due to the efforts of the U.S. government/military who long have made efforts to cultivate ties with us. Not to mention the efforts of the DA's office at the embassy [which also has civilian staff who are ex military] which is always trying to see what they can do to help.
Ultimately defence ties became institutionalised due to Mahathir which is ironic. During a 1984 visit he set the ball rolling by signing an agreement with them which enabled bilateral exercises; ship visits, etc. Over the years the agreement was expanded.