Special Warfare Training Centre (Malaysia)
# Special Warfare Training Centre (Malaysia)

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. The primary purpose is to provide basic commando courses and specialised courses and training for personnel from the 21st Special Service Group, 10th Parachute Brigade, and elite units of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia — ATM) to strengthen the Malaysian defensive garrison against enemies and terrorists.

SWTC also provides training to personnel from the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Coast Guard, the Johor Military Force, and the special operations forces of neighbouring nations, such as Brunei, Myanmar, and the Maldives.

SWTC is managed by the 21st Special Service Group and administered by the Malaysian 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).

## History

Regional political and military changes in Southeast Asia have led to the idea of establishing a special training facility to train personnel with specialised knowledge, particularly for Gerak Khas members. The training centre was established on 1 August 1976, at Sungai Udang Camp in Malacca as Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (PLPK ATM). On 1 January 1977, the centre became fully operational. Prior to the creation of PLPK, every MAF's special operations personnel received specialised training at overseas military academies. The rising expense of sending them overseas is another factor in the development of PLPK. Before the foundation of PLPK, 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).

PLPK ATM was renamed Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas Tentera Darat (PLPK TD) in 1985, after the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) each established their own special operations training centre at their respective bases. PLPK TD changed its name once more in 1995, when all training institutes under the Malaysian Army were renamed in accordance with the creation of the Army Training Administration (Pemerintahan Latihan Tentera Darat). It is currently called the Special Warfare Training Centre (Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus (PULPAK)) and is administered by the Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command.

## Roles

SWTC's objective is to provide specialised training and courses to all military personnel in accordance with the present situation. SWTC tasks include:

* To conduct basic commando training for the Malaysian Army and other military services.
* To train personnel of special operations forces as well as regular soldiers in specialised training and special operations as required by higher authority.
* To conduct advanced training for special operations forces and army personnel as directed by higher authority.
* To conduct training evaluation tests on special operations forces.
* To provide observers and qualified instructors for specialised assignments in special operations forces.
* To revise and analyse all doctrines pertaining to specialised training and operations.

## Training Module

Most of the SWTC instructors come from the 21st Special Service Group and the 10th Parachute Brigade. They keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date by going to military schools in other countries.

At SWTC, there are five training wings, each of which offers specialised courses.

### Commando Wing

* Basic Commando Course (Kursus Asas Komando)
* Sniper Course
* Sniper Supervisor Course
* Mountaineering Course
* Mountaineering Supervisor Course

### Special Stratagem Wing

* Small Unit Patrol Course
* Patrol Leader Course
* Patrol Sergeant Course
* Patrol Officer Course
* Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Course
* Abseiling Supervisor Course

### Parachute Wing

* Basic Parachute Course (Malay: Kursus Asas Payung Terjun)
* Jumpmaster 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)
* Pandura (Pathfinder) Course

### Rigger Wing

* Basic Parachute Rigger and Maintenance Course
* Inspector of Rigging and Maintenance

### Amphibious Wing

* Small Boat Coxswains Course
* Basic Diving Course
* Diving Instructor Course
* Combat Swimmer Course
* Combat Swimmer Assistant Leader Course
* Combat Swimmer Leader Course
* Special Demolition Course

## Former Commandant

| 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 |
