Royal Brunei Armed Forces
Royal Brunei Armed Forces | |
---|---|
Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei | |
Halbi Mohd Yussof | |
Commander | M.Gen Haszaimi Bol Hassan |
Armed Forces Sergeant Major | WO.1 Rosleen bin Tujoh[3] |
Personnel | |
Military age | 18 |
Conscription | no |
Active personnel | 7,200[4] |
Reserve personnel | 700[4] |
Expenditure | |
Budget | B$796.3 million (2024/25)[5] |
Percent of GDP | 4.5% (2006) |
Industry | |
Foreign suppliers | Australia Brazil Canada France Germany Indonesia Italy Japan Netherlands Singapore South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom United States |
Related articles | |
Ranks | Military ranks of Brunei |
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), also natively known as Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB),
The
The forerunner to the RBAF, the Brunei Malay Regiment, was formed on 31 May 1961,[1] with British military support, and has continued to include officers on loan from the British military.[6] 31 May is annually marked as Armed Forces Day.[7]
History
Brunei Malay Regiment
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces, initially called the Brunei Malay Regiment (AMB), natively known as Askar Melayu Brunei (AMB),[1] faced a significant challenge during their establishment due to the Brunei revolt on the night of 7–8 December 1962. This uprising highlighted the need for stronger national security, prompting the government to expedite the development of a more robust defense force. Despite this urgency, the trained BMR members were restricted to their camp during the insurrection, missing the chance to prove their effectiveness. In response, Britain deployed its own forces, including the Gurkhas, to Brunei.[8]
In 1963, BMR personnel continued their training in the
By early 1964, it became clear that the Royal Malay Regiment could no longer provide officers, trainers, or services. Despite this, the initial phase of Brunei’s Berakas Camp was nearly complete. Lieutenant Colonel D. M. Fletcher replaced the Malayan commanding officer of the BMR. British Army troops on secondment filled the adjutant and regimental sergeant major positions. On 2 May 1964, the BMR moved from Segenting Camp to their permanent headquarters at Berakas Camp. By the end of the year, the regiment was ready to take on many internal security duties previously handled by the British Forces Brunei. Although specific details were not disclosed, Major General Dato Walter confirmed on 11 July 1964, that the BMR was now operational within the state. Mid-year, the Sultan named the new encampment Bolkiah Camp, designed to house the Brigade Headquarters, support troops, and accommodate 700 to 800 men.[8]
Royal Brunei Malay Regiment
In 1965, the BMR was further strengthened and officially became the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR), natively known as the Askar Melayu Diraja Brunei (AMDB), on 31 May, receiving the title "Royal" at its fourth-anniversary parade. The RBMR's expansion continued in 1966, despite Malaysia's temporary halt in providing military training to Brunei. However, rifle companies did train in
In 1967, the hat emblem and shoulder titles of the RBMR were updated from black and white backgrounds to new business colours. Operational dress code changes included adopting the olive green shirt and pants design from the British Army, with flashes worn on jungle helmets instead of company colours. A new advancement policy for Brunei
On 7 April 1969, the RBMR established a Training Wing, marking the beginning of significant growth. By the end of the year, the regiment had reorganised and expanded to 928 soldiers. Bolkiah Camp became home to an independent training facility, with administrative components of Berakas Camp combined under a new headquarters wing. A trial army cadet program in
Due to Britain's planned military withdrawal, Brunei's defence strategies evolved significantly from 1979 to 1984, leading up to its independence. The British withdrawal was scheduled for 1979, marking a critical juncture with the signing of the 1979 Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Brunei and Britain. In response, Brunei accelerated the acquisition of advanced military weaponry and increased military spending to strengthen the RBMR and prepare it for independence from British rule.[8]
Royal Brunei Armed Forces
On 1 January 1984, the RBMR officially adopted its current name, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), coinciding with Brunei's independence from the United Kingdom. Brunei reorganised its military administration and bureaucracy, placing oversight of the defence system under the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). By 1984, the RBAF comprised 3,900 ranks, an increase of 400 from 1982. The RBAF unified land, sea, and air forces into a single, cohesive unit. The RBAF's training and support services included the Women's Company, the Training Centre, Medical and Dental Services, the Logistics Depot, the Procurement Branch, Engineer Workshops, the Provost Unit, the Fire Service, and the RBAF band. In 1987, the establishment of the Royal Brunei Reserve Regiment (RBRR) significantly bolstered personnel numbers.[8]
n the late 1990s, defense spending in Brunei declined from its peak levels but stabilised at around 3% of
Organisation
Service branches
Overseen by RBAF Joint Force Headquarters (Malay: Markas Angkatan Bersama ABDB) headquartered at Bolkiah Garrison,[2] the Royal Brunei Armed Forces consists of three primary service branches operating within the sovereign nation of Brunei Darussalam.
Royal Brunei Land Force
The Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), also natively known as Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei (TDDB), is a brigade-sized army formation. Headquartered at Berakas Garrison,[2] it consists of three operational battalions (First Battalion RBLF, Second Battalion RBLF, and Third Battalion RBLF), along with a fourth Support Battalion RBLF. The role of the RBLF is to maintain the security of Brunei, and to defend the sovereignty of the country. Its main responsibility is to oppose any threat from within or outside the country, and to maintain peace and security in the country.[9] RBLF is the largest of the three armed service branches of Brunei Darussalam.
The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), also natively known as Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB), is the naval defence force of Brunei. It is a small, but relatively well-equipped force, whose main responsibility is to conduct search and rescue (SAR) missions, and to deter and defend the Brunei sovereign waters against attack mounted by sea-borne forces.[10] Headquartered at Muara Naval Base,[2] as of 2023[update], the RBN has an operational inventory of twenty ships or similar surface vessels; the RBN does not operate any submarines or submersibles.
Royal Brunei Air Force
The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), also natively known as Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB), is a small, primarily helicopter-based air force, which is tasked with supporting the other branches of the armed services, defending Bruneian air space, and carrying out search and rescue (SAR) operations. It was originally created in 1965, as the Air Wing of the RBMR, and was established as an independent air force on 1 October 1991. Headquartered at Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba,[2] the RBAirF main inventory consists of a range of rotary-wing helicopters; formerly ten Bell 212, four Sikorsky S-70A-14 (now transferred to the Royal Malaysian Air Force), and a solitary Bell 214ST. The Bell 212s were replaced between 2013 and 2015 by twelve Poland-manufactured Sikorsky S-70i Blackhawks[11][12] Two Bell 206 helicopters are used for rotary-wing training.[12]
In 2023, the RBAirF fixed-wing inventory was limited to four Swiss-built Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II turboprop tandem-seat training aircraft (three of which are also used by the Alap-Alap Formation aerobatic display team), and a solitary Indonesian-built IPTN CN 235-110M aerial transport aircraft.[13] On 14 July 2014, the Commander of the RBAF announced plans to order the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules in the near future,[14] though this never materialised. Subsequently, an order for four new Airbus C295MW was placed in December 2022 with European manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space;[5][15] the first being accepted in December 2023, and the first two arriving at Rimba in January 2024.[16][17] As of January 2024[update], RBAirF operates twenty-two manned aircraft[12] and four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
Support Services
The former Support Services of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (SS RBAF) had the responsibility of providing support services to units within the RBAF, in all aspects pertaining to their
Bands
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces Band (RBAF Band) was established on 31 May 1962, at Port Dickson in Malaysia. It originally had twenty-one members, and was then badged as the regimental band of the BMR. On 1 January 1984, Major Haji Manaf bin Kamis became the first local musician to be appointed Director of Music. Kamis was the judge at a competition which chose the official anthem of
The 2nd and 3rd Battalion Royal Brunei Land Force Pipes and Drums are also part of the larger RBAF Band, and are more modelled on those of the British Army Brigade of Gurkhas, which has a battalion stationed in rotation in Brunei. Bands are also maintained in the RBN and the RBAirF.[21]
Affiliated to the RBAF Band is the Band of the Armed Forces Military Cadet Corps.
Training establishments
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces is supported by two permanent training establishments. Each service branch also have their own specialist training schools.[22]
Training Institute
The Training Institute Royal Brunei Armed Forces (TI RBAF), also natively known as Institut Latihan Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (IL ABDB), is also known as the Military Training Institution. Headquartered at and based within Penanjong Garrison, at Pekan Tutong in the Tutong District, TA2741.[2] The TI RBAF conducts basic military training to all new recruits to the RBAF. Other military courses are also offered and conducted in the institution to personnel of the RBAF.[23]
Defence Academy
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces Defence Academy (RBAF DA), also natively known as Akademi Pertahanan Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (AP ABDB), is headquartered and located at
Recruitment
Only
Cadets
There are two separate types of cadet in Brunei which are linked or affiliated to the RBAF; both with seemingly similar names.
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Military Cadet should not be confused with the RBAF Military Cadets of Higher Institutions (not officially members, from the University Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), University Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Institute Technology Brunei (ITB), and Brunei Polytechnic (PB)) despite sharing the same name. The two are visually identified by the uniforms they wear; the higher institutions wear the older disruptive pattern material (DMP) woodland camouflage, while the official Military cadets wear the newer multi-scale digital camouflage.[28]
Women's Company
The Women's Company (PDW)[29] was founded on 29 June 1981, to commemorate the RBAF's 20th anniversary. One civilian clerk and five female loan service employees from the British Army were involved at first. There were 28 women in the inaugural intake, six of them were officer cadets and the other 22 were recruits. The 22 recruits received training at the Women's Company Training Centre, Bolkiah Garrison, from officers from the Women's Royal Army Corps and multiple RBAF male instructors, while the officer cadets were sent to the Woman's Royal Army Corps College in Camberley, United Kingdom, for an eight-month course. Five of the six officer cadets in this groundbreaking class completed their education and were commissioned as second lieutenants. These officers served as Recruit Platoon Officers in the Women's Company Headquarters of the Royal Australian Air Force.[30]
The female cadets received instruction in fundamentals such as physical endurance, small weapons training, yearly shooting drills, and parade drill. The course also covered courses on parachute jumping in Singapore, counseling and guidance at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, air technician and map reading instructor courses in the UK, dental technician courses in Australia and Malaysia, midwifery and medical orderly courses in Hong Kong and Singapore, signals and navigation courses, physical training instructor courses in the UK, driving, cooking, logistics, and storekeeping courses, as well as information technology courses.[30]
Within the RBAF, the trained female soldiers held a variety of positions including those of engineers, instructors, legal officers, intelligence officers, information technology specialists, administrators, and financial officers; they also worked as radio and telex operators, cooks, store assistants, medical and dental orderlies, safety harness fitters, and radar plotters. Increasing the number of ranks allowed for the discharge of more troops for front-line work. They took actions that would increase their value and worth in the sports, intellectual, military, and skill domains. The PDW has also accomplished noteworthy things, such participating in national and international events that the nation has hosted, like the 1999 SEA Games, where local women athletes won medals and honours.[30]
The PDW has also organised and executed charity events as part of its extensive involvement in welfare and community activities. In particular, the most isolated areas in the nation have benefited from the medical assistance and relief offered by its medical and dental officers and orderlies. Even if there aren't many women joining the RBAF, they have made a substantial contribution thus far and will continue to do so in the years to come.[30]
The RBAF Supreme Commander approved the introduction of new uniforms for the PDW on 31 May 2005.[30] Alumnus of the PAW, Hasimah Abu Bakar became the first female lieutenant colonel in 2006,[31] and Norsuriati Sharbini became the first woman to be appointed to colonel in 2021.[32][33]
Equipment and operations
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) use a wide range of foreign-procured equipment across all three service branches; with a large percentage originating from the
The Bruneian military in its post-independence form lacks any
On 6 May 2023, as part of the
31 May is the Armed Forces Day of Brunei Darussalam, which celebrates the founding of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. It is an annual national holiday, and the events on the day include military parade in front of the Sultan, and public exhibition of its equipment and armament. On 31 May 2011 , Royal Brunei Armed Forces celebrated its golden jubilee.
See also
- Military forces based in Brunei
- Defence Academy Royal Brunei Armed Forces
- Military Police Royal Brunei Armed Forces
- Special Forces Regiment
- Royal Brunei Malay Reserve Regiment (RBMRU / ASMDB)[1][2][3][4][5]
- Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council
- Gurkha Reserve Unit
- National Service Programme
References
- ^ a b c d e "RBAF Introduction". MinDef.gov.bn. Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b c d e f g "Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) – Addresses". MinDef.gov.bn. Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam. n.d. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
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: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "FSM RBAF – Armed Forces Sergeant Major". MinDef.gov.bn. Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam: Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. n.d. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
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: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ ISBN 978-1032508955.
- ^ a b Han, Shareen (2 March 2024). "Defence spending to reach record high of $796 million – MinDef will raise its budget by 28% in 2024/25 financial year". TheScoop.co. Bandar Seri Begawan: Scoop Media. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ "3 RBAF senior officers promoted". MinDef.gov.bn/airforce. Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam: Royal Brunei Air Force, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "Berita Parajurit, vol 9" (PDF). MinDef.gov.bn. Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i Bachamiya A Hussainmiya (1 January 2012). "Royal Brunei Arrmed Forces 50th anniversary Commemorative History". RBAF 50th Golden Anniversary Commemorative Book. Southeastern University of Sri Lanka: 12–24.
- ^ "Royal Brunei Land Force". MinDef.gov.bn. Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. n.d. Archived from the original on 2 April 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ "Royal Brunei Navy". MinDef.gov.bn. Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. n.d. Archived from the original on 2 April 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ "Black Hawks for Brunei". DefenseIndustryDaily.com. Defense Industry Daily, LLC. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ FlightGlobal International, DVV Media International Ltd. 2023. p. 14. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ "Royal Brunei Air Force". MinDef.gov.bn. Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. Archived from the original on 2 April 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ "Brunei to buy military aircraft". BT.com.bn. The Brunei Times. 14 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Airbus C295 for Brunei". ADJ.com.my. Asian Defence Journal. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Sim, Y.H. (23 December 2023). "Pesawat C295MW tiba di Brunei Januari 2024" [The C295MW aircraft arrived in Brunei in January 2024]. MediaPermata.com.bn (in Malay). Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam: Media Permata Online. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ "Acceptance and signing ceremony for the Customer Acceptance Test Certificate for the first C295MW aircraft of the Royal Brunei Air Force in San Pablo, Seville, Spain". MinDef.gov.bn. Seville, Spain: Royal Brunei Air Force, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 19 December 2023. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ "Royal Brunei Armed Forces Support Services". MinDef.gov.bn. Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. Archived from the original on 28 April 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ "Royal Brunei Armed Forces Band - Ministry of Defence". yumpu.com.
- ^ "RBAF Band to perform at KL International Tattoo". MinDef.gov.bn. Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 1 October 2014. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "Royal Brunei Navy receives new Commander". Navy.MinDef.gov.bn. Muara Naval Base, Brunei Darussalam: Royal Brunei Navy, Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- Berakas BB3910, Brunei Darussalam: Ministry of Religious Affairs. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2024.)
Kursus-kursus dan program yang dijalankan di Akademi Pertahanan Institut Latihan ABDB, Sekolah-sekolah Latihan Tentera Darat, Tentera Laut, dan Tentera Udara telah memperolehi pengiktirafan kebangsaan dan antarabangsa... Pada tahun ini sahaja, Sekolah Pegawai Kadet Akademi Pertahanan, Sekolah Infantri Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei dan Pusat Latihan Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei telah menerima penuntut daripada luar negara buat pertama kalinya.
[The courses and programmes conducted at the ABDB Training Institute, Defence Academy, Army, Navy, and Air Force Training Schools have gained national and international recognition... This year alone, the Defence Academy Cadet Officer School, the Royal Brunei Army Infantry School, and the Royal Brunei Navy Training Centre have accepted students from abroad for the first time.]{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: location (link - ^ "Royal Brunei Armed Forces Training Institute". MinDef.gov.bn. Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. Archived from the original on 19 July 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ "Military record, Brunei". travel.state.gov. Archived from the original on 18 April 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ "MINDEF – Military Recruitment (Male)". MinDef.gov.bn. Bolkiah Garrison, BB3510: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. n.d. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
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: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "Brunei: the abode of peace". Hawaii.edu. Archived from the original on 13 September 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2007.
- ^ "MINDEF – Pengambilan Rekrut Wanita" [MINDEF – Military Recruitment (Female)]. MinDef.gov.bn. Bolkiah Garrison, BB3510: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. n.d. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
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: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "Higher Institutions Military Cadets Battle at shooting competition". MinDef.gov.bn. Berakas Garrison, Brunei Darussalam: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ "PAW Enliven Nuzul Al-Quran". mindef.gov.bn. 25 August 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Bachamiya A Hussainmiya (1 January 2012). "Royal Brunei Arrmed Forces 50th anniversary Commemorative History". RBAF 50th Golden Anniversary Commemorative Book. Southeastern University of Sri Lanka: 40 and 42-43.
- ^ "Princess Hjh Masna presents eight women with special achievement awards". www.sultanate.com. 20 August 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ Saerah Haji Abdul Ghani (21 May 2016). "Suntik semangat terus berjuang" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ Bachamiya A Hussainmiya (1 January 2012). "Royal Brunei Arrmed Forces 50th anniversary Commemorative History". RBAF 50th Golden Anniversary Commemorative Book. Southeastern University of Sri Lanka: 42.
- ^ "Brunei deploys 16th International Monitoring Team to Mindanao". DFA.gov.ph. Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam: Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines. 13 September 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - OCLC 655307582.
- ^ "Berita Parajurit, vol 9 – His Majesty King Charles III, coronation grand procession" (PDF). MinDef.gov.bn. Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 31 May 2023. pp. 32–33. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: location (link)
Further reading
- Menon, K.U. (1987). Ayoob, M. (ed.). "Brunei Darussalam in 1986: in search of the political kingdom". JSTOR 27908570.
- Defence White Paper 2004 – Defending the Nation's Sovereignty (PDF). Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam: Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 2004.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - Defence White Paper update 2007 – Shaping the Force Today (PDF). Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam: Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 2007.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - Defence White Paper 2011 – Defending the Nation's Sovereignty – expanding roles in wider horizons (PDF). Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, BB3510, Brunei Darussalam: Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam. 2011.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - Hussainmiya, Bachamiya Abdul; Mahdini, Waleed (2013). Sarimah Haji Umar (ed.). Pencapaian aan aspirasi : ABDB 1961–2011 dan seterusnya [Journey of accomplishments and aspirations : RBAF 1961-2011 and beyond] (in Malay). OCLC 973874229.
- "Royal Brunei Armed Forces Act (Chapter 149) – Royal Brunei Armed Forces Regulations – S 88/2013 – revised edition 2018" (PDF). AGC.gov.bn. Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam: Attorney General's Chambers, Prime Minister's Office, Brunei Darussalam. 2018.
External links
- MinDef.gov.bn — Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam, official website
- Defence White Paper 2021 – Defending the Nation's Sovereignty — Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam