RIMBA AIR FORCE BASE, Sunday, 31 May 2026 – 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, today graced the Grand Ceremony in conjunction with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) 65th Anniversary Celebration, held at Rimba Air Force Base, Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF).
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness 920 Lieutenant Colonel (Udara) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
The arrival of His Majesty and members of the Royal Family at the RBAirF Parade Square were greeted by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II; and Yang Mulia Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
His Majesty was ushered to the Royal Dais to receive the Royal Salute before inspecting the Guard of Honour under the command of the Parade Commander, Yang Mulia Lieutenant Colonel (Udara) Pengiran Mohd Zulhusmi bin Pengiran Mohd Roslan. The parade involved 1,065 RBAF personnel comprising members of the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF); Royal Brunei Navy (RBN); and RBAirF; along with the RBAF Regimental Colours Party; Special Forces Regiment (SFR); Combined RBAF Women Military Personnel; Combined RBAF Band, and the RBLF Pipes and Drums, as well as RBAF operational assets.
The parade proceeded with the slow and quick march-past, followed by an ‘Advance in Review Order’. His Majesty delivered a Titah in conjunction with the RBAF 65th Anniversary Celebration, followed by three times resounding chants of “Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik”.
To bless the ceremony, a Do’a Selamat was recited by Yang Mulia Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Mujib bin Haji Japar, Acting Director of the RBAF Religious Directorate (JAMA’AT). His Majesty was once again accorded the Royal Salute, followed by a flypast involving the RBAirF’s S70i Blackhawk and C295MW transport aircraft.
His Majesty proceeded to the Air Movement Centre to officiate the launch of the Defence White Paper Update 2026 (DWPU 2026) with the theme “Defending the Nation’s Sovereignty: Credible, Adaptive and Resilient Force”.
His Majesty later viewed the Air Capability Static Display, at the Air Force Base Apron, featuring RBAirF assets alongside participation from six (6) Allied Air Forces, namely the P8-A Poseidon Aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF); C-17 Air Transport Aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF); FA-50PH jet fighter from the Philippine Air Force (PAF); F16 jet fighter and H225M Helicopter from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF); H145M Helicopter from the British Army Air Corps, C-17 Air from the Royal Air Force, United Kingdom (RAF); and C-17 Air Transport Aircraft and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) MQ-9A Reaper from the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).
His Majesty then proceeded to the new Number 3 Wing Building, Operations Group, RBAirF, to officiate the opening of the building by signing a commemorative plaque before being introduced to the officers and personnel of Number 3 Wing.
His Majesty then continued to the Special Viewing Dais to witness the Special Operations Capability Demonstration by the RBAF Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and its sub-units namely the RBLF Commandos (Kdo), the RBN Maritime Special Operations Squadron (SGKM), and the RBAirF Air Force Special Forces (PASKTU), marking the official establishment of SOCOM. His Majesty received a Pesambah before joining in a group photo session with the personnel involved.
The ceremony continued with an Air Display from Allied Air Forces featuring the RMAF Sukhoi SU-30MKM, the RSAF Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), and the Indonesian Air Force (IAF) Jupiter Aerobatic Team.
His Majesty joined a group photo session with RBAF personnel who had participated in international missions under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) 850-12, the Independent Decommissioning Body, Verification, Monitoring and Assistance Team (IDB-VMAT) in the Republic of the Philippines, and the Augmentation Interim Observer Team (AIOT) in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
His Majesty was introduced to officers who had recently completed overseas courses, beginning with His Majesty’s grandson, Yang Amat Mulia Lieutenant (Udara) Pengiran Anak ‘Abdul Raqiib bin Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim, who had recently been commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, United Kingdom, followed by Award recipients from the 24th Intake Officer Cadet School, Defence Academy RBAF.
His Majesty toured the Military Capability Development Exhibition, which highlighted future defence capabilities including human capital development and strategic infrastructure, before boarding the RBLF’s newly acquired Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) en route to the Royal Luncheon at Hangar B.
Upon arrival, His Majesty and members of the Royal Familyjoined a group photo session with former Deputy Ministers of Defence, former Commanders of the RBAF, distinguished guests, senior RBAF officers and RBAF personnel. His Majesty received greetings from international officers currently attending courses in the RBAF, including resident and non-resident Defence Advisers and Attachés from friendly nations, who had recently received their letters of appointment.
His Majesty then consented to grace theCake Cutting Ceremony in conjunction with the RBAF 65th Anniversary Celebration, followed by the presentation of a locally crafted Pesambah themed on the evolution of RBAirF assets since 1961. A Do’a Selamat was recited by the Acting Director of the RBAF JAMA’AT.
His Majesty was subsequently introduced to the crews from the Allied Air Forces who were involved in the Air Display before graciously launching the restoration project titled “Nostalgia Khazanah Di Udara” for the Bolkow BO105 CBS-5 aircraft bearing registration number HB-100, which had been restored to its original livery for permanent display at the RBAirF Museum. His Majesty signed the Royal Parchment before departing the event.
As the RBAF marks its 65th anniversary, the RBAF continues to strengthen its roles as a credible, adaptive and competitive national defence institution. Guided by the theme “Together United to Achieve the Nation’s Aspirations,” this year’s celebration reflects the spirit of unity and the RBAF’s enduring commitment towards upholding its core values and the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy, in line with the aspirations of Brunei Vision 2035.
KEBAWAH DULI YANG MAHA MULIA PADUKA SERI BAGINDA SULTAN DAN YANG DI-PERTUAN NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM BERKENAN BERANGKAT KE UPACARA HARI KEMUNCAK SEMPENA SAMBUTAN HARI ULANG TAHUN ANGKATAN BERSENJATA DIRAJA BRUNEI KE-65
Pangkalan Tentera Udara Rimba, Ahad, 31 Mei 2026 – Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, hari ini berkenan berangkat ke Upacara Hari Kemuncak sempena Sambutan Hari Ulang Tahun Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (HUT ABDB) Ke-65 yang berlangsung di Pangkalan Tentera Udara Rimba, Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB).
Mengiringi keberangkatan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam ialah Paduka-Paduka Anakanda, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Menteri Kanan di Jabatan Perdana Menteri; Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Malik; dan Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri 920 Leftenan Kolonel (Udara) Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Mateen.
Keberangkatan tiba Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan ahli-ahli Kerabat Diraja di Padang Kawad TUDB dijunjung oleh Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Mejar Jeneral (Bersara) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Pertahanan II; dan Yang Mulia Mejar Jeneral Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Pemerintah Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB).
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia seterusnya dijunjung ke Pentas Diraja bagi menerima Tabik Hormat, sebelum berkenan memeriksa barisan Pasukan-Pasukan Perbarisan yang diketuai oleh Pegawai Perbarisan, Yang Mulia Leftenan Kolonel (Udara) Pengiran Mohd Zulhusmi bin Pengiran Mohd Roslan. Perbarisan tersebut melibatkan seramai 1,065 anggota ABDB yang terdiri daripada Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei (TDDB); Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB); Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB); termasuk rombongan Panji-panji Diraja dan Panji-panji Pasukan ABDB; Rejimen Pasukan Khas (RPK); Gabungan Anggota Tentera Wanita ABDB; Gabungan Pasukan Pancaragam ABDB, Pasukan Serunai dan Tambur TDDB, dan aset-aset operasi ABDB.
Upacara diteruskan dengan perbarisan berjalan lalu dalam masa perlahan dan cepat, diikuti dengan ‘Perbarisan Mara Ke Hadapan Untuk Diperhatikan Semula’. Baginda berkenan mengurniakan Titah sempena Sambutan HUT ABDB Ke-65, sebelum laungan “Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik” bergema sebanyak tiga kali.
Bagi memberkati upacara tersebut, bacaan Doa Selamat telah dibacakan oleh Yang Mulia Leftenan Kolonel Abdul Mujib bin Haji Japar, Pemangku Pengarah Jabatan Agama ABDB (JAMA’AT). Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia sekali lagi disembahkan dengan Tabik Hormat Diraja serta terbang lalu helikopter S70i Blackhawk dan Pesawat Angkut C295MW TUDB.
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia seterusnya berkenan berangkat ke Pusat Pergerakan Udara bagi menyempurnakan pelancaran Kertas Putih Pertahanan Kemaskini 2026 (KPPK 2026) bertemakan “Defending the Nation’s Sovereignty: Credible, Adaptive and Resilient Force”.
Baginda turut berkenan menyaksikan Pameran Statik Keupayaan Udara bertempat di Apron Tentera yang menampilkan aset-aset TUDB dan penyertaan daripada enam buah Tentera Udara Angkatan Sahabat iaitu pesawat P8-A Poseidon dari Tentera Udara Diraja Australia (RAAF); pesawat angkut C-17 dari Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM); pesawat Jet Pejuang FA-50PH dari Tentera Udara Republik Filipina (PAF); pesawat Jet Pejuang F-16 dan Helikopter H145M dari Tentera Udara Republik Singapura (RSAF); Helikopter H145M dari Kor Udara Tentera Darat British, pesawat Angkut C-17 dari Tentera Udara Diraja, United Kingdom (RAF); dan pesawat Angkut C-17 dan Unmanned Aerial Combat Vehicle (UCAV) MQ-9A Reaper dari Tentera Udara Pasifik Amerika Syarikat (PACAF).
Baginda seterusnya berkenan berangkat ke Bangunan Cawangan Nombor 3, Kumpulan Gerakan TUDB bagi menyempurnakan perasmian bangunan tersebut dengan menandatangani plak perasmian sebelum disembahkenalkan kepada Pegawai-pegawai dan anggota-anggota Cawangan Nombor 3.
Baginda dijunjung berangkat ke Ruang Dais Khas bagi menyaksikan Demonstrasi Keupayaan Gerak Khas oleh Special Operations Command (SOCOM) ABDB serta unit-unit di bawahnya iaitu Komando TDDB (Kdo), Skuadron Gerak Khas Maritim TLDB (SGKM), dan Pasukan Khas Tentera Udara (PASKTU) TUDB, sekaligus menandakan perasmian penubuhannya. Baginda juga berkenan menerima Pesambah dan bergambar ramai bersama anggota yang terlibat.
Upacara diteruskan dengan Pertunjukan Udara yang menampilkan penglibatan pesawat Sukhoi SU-30MKM daripada TUDM; Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) daripada TURS; dan Pasukan Aerobatik Jupiter daripada Tentera Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU).
Baginda kemudiannya berkenan untuk bergambar ramai bersama anggota ABDB yang telah menyertai misi antarabangsa di bawah United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) 850-12, the Independent Decommissioning Body, Verification, Monitoring and Assistance Team (IDB-VMAT) di Republik Filipina, dan Augmentation Interim Observer Team (AIOT) di Kerajaan Kemboja.
Baginda disembahkenalkan kepada Pegawai-pegawai yang baru menamatkan kursus di luar negara, didahului dengan cucunda Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia, Yang Amat Mulia Leftenan (Udara) Pengiran Anak ‘Abdul Raqiib bin Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim yang baharu ditauliahkan dari Akademi Tentera Diraja Sandhurst, United Kingdom, dan diikuti dengan Para penerima anugerah daripada Sekolah Pegawai Kadet Pengambilan Ke-24, Akademi Pertahanan ABDB.
Seterusnya, Baginda berkenan berkunjung ke Pameran Perkembangan Keupayaan Tentera yang mengetengahkan pembangunan keupayaan pertahanan masa hadapan, termasuk aspek modal insan dan prasarana strategik sebelum berkenan menaiki kenderaan khas baharu TDDB iaitu Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) untuk menuju ke Majlis Santap Tengahari Diraja di Hangar B.
Sejurus keberangkatan tiba, Baginda dan ahli-ahli Kerabat Diraja dijunjung bagi sesi bergambar ramai bersama Mantan-mantan Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan, Mantan-mantan Pemerintah ABDB, Jemputan Khas, Pegawai-pegawai Kanan ABDB dan anggota-anggota ABDB. Baginda berkenan menerima junjung ziarah daripada Pegawai-pegawai Antarabangsa yang sedang mengikuti kursus di ABDB, termasuk Penasihat dan Atase Pertahanan Tentera Negara-Negara Sahabat yang menetap dan tidak menetap, serta yang baru menerima surat lantikan masing-masing.
Baginda kemudian dijunjung bagi Upacara Memotong Kek sempena HUT ABDB Ke-65, dan seterusnya berkenan menerima Pesambah hasil buatan tempatan yang bertemakan evolusi aset TUDB sejak tahun 1961. Bacaan Do’a Selamat kemudian dibacakan oleh Pemangku Pengarah JAMA’AT ABDB.
Baginda seterusnya disembahkenalkan kepada kru-kru yang terlibat dalam Pertunjukan Udara sebelum berkenan melancarkan Projek Pemulihan “Nostalgia Khazanah Di Udara” bagi Pesawat Bolkow BO105 CBS-5 bernombor pendaftaran HB-100 yang telah dikembalikan ke warna asalnya untuk dipamerkan secara kekal di Muzium TUDB. Baginda kemudian berkenan menandatangani Lembaran Diraja sebelum berangkat meninggalkan upacara.
Dalam meniti usia penubuhannya yang ke-65 tahun, ABDB terus memperkukuh peranannya sebagai institusi pertahanan negara yang kredibel, adaptif dan berdaya saing. Berteraskan tema “Bersama Bersatu Mencapai Aspirasi Negara,” sambutan pada tahun ini menzahirkan semangat perpaduan dan komitmen berterusan ABDB dalam mendokong nilai-nilai terasnya serta falsafah Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), selaras dengan aspirasi Wawasan Brunei 2035.