History
The Royal Brunei Navy was formed on 14 June 1965, four years after the formation of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. It was initially known as Boat Section of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. Its strength was only 18 in number, including one officer from the First Battalion who had attended a basic military course in Malaya in 1961 until 1964. This Boat Section was equipped with a number of aluminium boats, known as Temuai in Malay and Fast Assault Boats (FABs).
The role of the Boat Section was solely to provide transportation of infantry elements to the interior of Brunei. As the organisation expanded with the aid of stable economic growth, the Boat Section was renamed the Boat Company in 1966.
The Boat Company received 3 River Patrol Boats in 1966. These boats were named KDB Bendahara, KDB Maharajalela and KDB Kermaindera. All the ships were crewed by Bruneians, led by a qualified Commanding Officer. In the same year, the strength of the Boat Company was enhanced with Hovercraft Vessels type SR.N5, followed by SR.N6 in 1968.
The first Fast Patrol Craft vessel was accepted in 1968 and named KDB Pahlawan. It became the first Flag Ship for the Boat Company.
The Boat Company was reorganised as Angkatan Laut Pertama, Askar Melayu DiRaja Brunei (ALP AMDB or the First Sea Battalion, Royal Brunei Malay Regiment in Malay). It was one of the larger branches of Askar Melayu DiRaja Brunei. During that time, the estimated workforce strength of Angkatan Laut Pertama, Askar Melayu DiRaja Brunei was 42 personnel including an officer, while assets consisted of one Fast Patrol Craft Vessel, 3 River Patrol Boats, 2 Hovercraft Vessels, Fast Assault Boats, a few Long Boats and Temuai (aluminium boats).
In 1971, Angkatan Laut Pertama, Askar Melayu DiRaja Brunei received two more Coastal Patrol Craft, the KDB Saleha and the KDB Masna.
Angkatan Laut Pertama, Askar Melayu DiRaja Brunei was reorganised again on 1 October 1991 as the Royal Brunei Navy due to the growth of the armed forces in Brunei after independence from the United Kingdom.
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