| Unit Name: | 17th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Malay Regiment |
| Native Name: | Batalion ke-17, Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja (Para) |
| Allegiance: | Yang di-Pertuan Agong ('King of Malaysia') |
| Type: | Airborne infantry |
| Size: | 6 companies |
| Command Structure: | 10th Parachute Brigade |
| Garrison: | Terendak Camp, Malacca |
| Mascot: | Eagle |
| Commander1: | Lieutenant Colonel Andy Herman Rahimi |
| Commander2: | WO1 Mohd Faizal Abdul Rahman |
| Commander2 Label: | Sergeant of the Regiment |
| Notable Commanders: | Lieutenant General Dato' Suhaimi Mohd Zuki General Tan Sri Zulkiple Kassim |
The 17th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Malay Regiment, abbreviated 17 RAMD (Para) from its local name, is a battalion-sized airborne infantry unit of the Malaysian Army's Royal Malay Regiment. Since 10 October 1994, 17 RAMD has been a part of the 10th Parachute Brigade.
The current commander of the 17 RAMD (Para) is Lieutenant Colonel Andy Herman Rahimi.
On 1 August 1970, the Ministry of Defense established the 17 RAMD as an infantry company in Kementah Camp, Kuala Lumpur as part of Operation Pembena. The pioneer team consists of only one officer and ten other ranks. Captain H.T Sharif Abdul Gaffur was tasked with expanding the unit to operational size. Captain Sharif was able to increase the unit's strength to three officers and 57 other ranks by 9 November 1970, and the unit was transferred to Majidee Camp in Johor Bahru. The unit was upgraded to battalion size on 23 November 1970, and Lieutenant Colonel Adam Abu Bakar was appointed as the first Commander of 17 RAMD. On 23 November 1970, the 17th RAMD became operational.[1] [2]
In November 1982, 17 RAMD were assigned to the 7th Infantry Brigade and relocated to Kukusan Camp in Tawau to serve under the Army East Field Command. Four years later, the 17 RAMD was reassigned to Army West Field Command and transferred to the 1st Infantry Brigade. The garrison was also relocated to Terendak Camp in Malacca.
17 RAMD were assigned to the MALBATT United Nations Transition Assistance Group peacekeeping mission in Namibia in the 1988, second involvement after a few years focus against communist insurgency.
17 RAMD and the 9th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (9 RAMD) were transferred under the command of the 10th Strategic Brigade in 1990, and both battalions were trained as airborne infantry at the Special Warfare Training Centre. The unit was officially renamed the 17th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Malay Regiment in 1992. On 1 January 1994, the 17 RAMD (Para) became a fully operational airborne unit.
See main article: Rapid Deployment Force (Malaysia). The Malaysian Army's top brass intends to combine all airborne units into a single combat force. The 8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment (8 RRD (Para)), 9 RAMD (Para), and 17 RAMD (Para) were merged into a single airborne unit in 1993 as its airborne infantry element. On 10 October 1994, following Exercise Halilintar, then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad officially introduced the unit as the Rapid Deployment Force, and the 10th Strategic Brigade was renamed the 10th Parachute Brigade. The 10th Parachute Brigade is becoming an independent combat force reporting directly to the Chief of the Army.
17 RAMD (Para), 8 RRD (Para), 9 RAMD (Para), and 18 RAMD (Para) serve as airborne infantry units for the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF). The RDF's airborne infantry is tasked with being able to deploy at any time and to any location via air, land, or sea. They have five primary roles, which are as follows:[3]
Terendak Camp is home to 17 RAMD (Para). The unit is made up of six paratrooper companies and one family welfare organisation.
| 17 RAMD (Para) Headquarters | Management and administration of the battalion | |
| Alpha Company | Airborne infantry company | |
| Bravo Company | Airborne infantry company | |
| Charlie Company | Airborne infantry company | |
| Delta Company | Airborne infantry company | |
| Support Company | Mortar, heavy machine-gun, anti-tank and communications support | |
| BAKAT 17 RAMD PARA | Support for the battalion's family welfare |
1 Star General
CO 1: Brigadier Gen Dato' Adam b. Abu Bakar
CO 3: Brigadier Gen Dato' Pahlawan Mohamed Shukor b. Hj Abdullah
CO 8: Brigedier Gen Dato' Nik Mohd Za'aba bin Nik Daud
CO 16: Brigadier Gen Datuk Jalaludin b. MD Yusof
CO 23: Brigadier Gen Khairul Azmizal b. Ahmad Natal
2 Star General
CO 2: Maj Gen Dato' Raja Ibrahim b. Shariman
CO 14: Maj Gen Dato' Mazelan b. Kasap
3 Star General
CO 4 : Lt Gen Dato' Abdul Ghani b. Abdullah
CO 10: Lt Gen Datuk Abdul Ghaffir b. Abdul Hamid
CO 12 : Lt Gen Dato' Masood b. Hi Zainal Abidin
CO 15: Lt Gen Dato' Suhaimi b. Hj Mohd Zuki
CO 17: Lt Gen Dato' Hasagaya b. Abdullah
4 Star General
CO 5: Gen Dato' Ismail b. Hasan
CO 13: Gen Tan Sri Dato' Sri Zulkiple b. Hj Kassim