Royal Malaysian Navy · Malaysia
PASKAL
Naval special forces — maritime counter-terrorism, ship boarding, special reconnaissance · 1982
The Pasukan Khas Laut ('Naval Special Warfare Forces', Jawi: ڤاسوقن خاص لاءوت), commonly abbreviated to PASKAL, is the principal special operations force of the Royal Malaysian Navy. PASKAL's task is to conduct small-unit maritime military operations that originate from, and return to a river, ocean, swamp, delta or coastline.
PASKAL also performs unconventional warfare, guerrilla warfare, counter-guerrilla warfare, jungle warfare, counter-terrorism, close protection, hostage rescue and foreign internal defence. Although PASKAL was created as a maritime counter-terrorism unit, it has become a multi-functional special operations unit with roles that include high-risk operations including direct action, special reconnaissance operations and other specialised missions.
PASKAL is an all-male force that was officially established on 1 October 1982, after a five-year setup period, with the purpose of enforcing Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone maritime claims through sea, air and land operations. PASKAL personnel routinely serve and train with allied SOFs including the Australian SASR, Indonesian Kopassus and Denjaka, Singaporean Naval Diving Unit, Thai Navy SEALs, US Green Berets and US Navy SEALs.
