Special Warfare Training Centre (Malaysia)

Regional political and military changes in Southeast Asia led to the idea of establishing a special training facility to provide personnel with specialised knowledge, particularly for Gerak Khas members. On 1 August 1976, the training centre was established at Camp Sungai Udang in Malacca as Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (PLPK ATM). By 1 January 1977, the centre had become fully operational and had begun conducting special forces selection.^[2][5]

In 1979, the training centre expanded its role to become a comprehensive military school, teaching a variety of special operations skills. Before 1979, MAF's special operations personnel received specialised training at overseas military academies. The rising costs of sending personnel overseas contributed to the development of SWTC. Prior to the foundation of SWTC, 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).^[2][5]

In 1985, PLPK ATM was renamed Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas Tentera Darat (PLPK TD) after the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) began conducting their own special forces selection at their respective bases.^[5]

In 1995, PLPK TD changed its name once more when all training institutes under the Malaysian Army were renamed in accordance with the creation of the Army Training and Doctrine Command (Pemerintahan Latihan dan Doktrin Tentera Darat). It is currently called the Special Warfare Training Centre or Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khusus in Malay and is popularly known by the abbreviation of its Malay name, PULPAK.^{[note 1]} The centre is no longer under the administration of the 21st Special Service Group but is now administered by the Army Training and Doctrine Command.^[2]

The SWTC's objectives are to provide specialised training and courses to all military personnel according to the current situation. SWTC's tasks include:^[2][4]

• Conducting basic commando training for the Malaysian Army and other military services.
• Training personnel of special forces as well as regular soldiers in specialised training and special operations as required by higher authority.
• Conducting advanced training for special forces and army personnel as directed by higher authority.
• Conducting training evaluation tests on special forces.
• Providing observers and qualified instructors for specialised assignments in special forces.
• Revising and analysing all doctrines pertaining to specialised training and operations.

At SWTC, most instructors come from the 21st Special Service Group and the 10th Parachute Brigade. They ensure their knowledge and skills are up-to-date by attending military schools in other countries.^{[6][7][8][better source needed]}

SWTC comprises five training wings, each offering specialised courses.

• Basic Commando Course^{[note 2]}
• Sniper Course^{[note 3][9]}
• Sniper Supervisor Course
• Mountaineering Course
• Mountaineering Supervisor Course

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

• Basic Parachute Course (Malay: Kursus Asas Payung Terjun)
• Jump master 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)
• Pathfinder Course

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

• Small Boat Coxswains Course
• Basic Diving Course
• Diving Instructor Course
• Combat Swimmer Course
• Combat Swimmer Assistant Leader Course
• Combat Swimmer Leader Course
• Basic Demolition Course (Malay: Kursus Asas Letupan)
• Special Demolition Course (Malay: Kursus Letupan Khas)