11th Special Service Regiment

The 11 SSR and its sister unit, the 12th Special Service Regiment (abbr. 12 SSR), were formed on 1 April 1981, as counter-revolutionary warfare specialists for two commando regiments under the Malaysian Special Service Group (now known as the 21st Special Service Group). The 11 SSR was provided assistance to the 21st Para Commando Regiment (now known as the 21st Commando Regiment), while the 12 SSR was provided assistance to the 22nd Para Commando Regiment (now known as the 22nd Commando Regiment). Similar to the SAS during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, their mission included surveillance, intelligence gathering, and harassment of the adversary's leadership.[2][3]

The 12 SSR was disbanded by the Malaysian Special Service Group (MSSG) in 1983. With this, the 11 SSR ceased to be a subunit of the 21st Para Commando and was instead raised to the position of counter-revolutionary warfare experts for the entire MSSG. The remaining members of the 12 SSR were integrated into the 11 SSR. The 11 SSR's capabilities were trained similarly to those of the British 22 Special Air Service. The 11 SSR received new specialised capabilities such as airborne pathfinders and frogmen.[2][3]

Prior to the official end of the Communist insurgency in Malaysia in 1989, the primary focus of nearly all special forces in Malaysia, including the 11 SSR, was guerrilla warfare and jungle combat. Counter-terrorism was the responsibility of the Royal Malaysian Police's special forces unit, the Special Actions Unit (Malay: Unit Tindakhas). After 1989, the Malaysian government aimed to establish more units capable of addressing terrorism.[2][3]

Both the 69 Commando of the Royal Malaysian Police and the 11 SSR of the Malaysian Army underwent training to combat terrorism. As part of the Nelson Glory Project, a team of counter-terrorism instructors from the 22 Special Air Service (22 SAS) was dispatched to Malaysia in 1990 to impart counter-terrorism capabilities to the 11 SSR. This initiative led to a significant shift in the structure of the 11 SSR's sabre squadrons, differentiating them from the organizational framework of the 22 SAS.[4][note 2]

In contrast to the 22 SAS, each Sabre squadron under the 11 SSR is now distinguished by specific capabilities and specialties, reflecting their individual roles and functions.[4]

In the year 2017, a significant restructuring took place within the 21st Special Service Group units. This transformation involved the reorganization of the 22nd Commando Regiment (22 Cdo) to specialize specifically in amphibious warfare. As a result of this strategic realignment, the 11 SSR's Special Boat Squadron was integrated with the 22 Cdo.[5]

The National Special Operations Force (NSOF) held the position of Malaysia's top counter-terrorism task force, recruiting exclusively from the finest counter-terrorism units within the country, such as the 11 SSR, the 69 Commando, the Special Actions Unit, PASKAL, PASKAU, and STAR. Operating under the direct authority of the Prime Minister's Office, the NSOF enjoyed increased autonomy, robust support from all federal government agencies, and substantial funding. Selected commandos from the 11 SSR's Uniform Squadron were granted the honor of joining this elite task force.[7] However, the National Special Operations Force was disbanded in July 2018.[8]

The Bahagian Operasi Pasukan Khas Pertahanan, or its English name Defense Special Operations Division (DSOD), also stylised in American English as Defence Special Forces Operations Division, was established by the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) in 2018 as a substitute for the National Special Operations Force. This change was prompted by the MAF's recognition of the importance of joint special operations for Malaysia. The primary distinction is that it operates under the authority of the MAF and encompasses solely units within the MAF's structure.[9]

From its inception, Malaysia actively participated in the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a dedicated peacekeeping force. Between 1992 and 1996, Malaysia contributed a total of 6085 peacekeepers across nine military contingents to both UNPROFOR (1992-1995) and IFOR (1995-1996) operations.[12] Notably, the 11th Special Service Regiment assumed a central role as the primary special operations unit on the ground.[note 3] They was frequently called upon to support peacekeeping forces from other nations, particularly during missions in challenging locations like Sniper Alley.[13][14][15]