page_title: PASKAL
section_title: Roles and responsibilities
hierarchical_section_title: PASKAL / Roles and responsibilities
caption_attribution_description: English: The PASKAL divers ready to jumps using the casting technique from a speeding boat during the LIMA 2011, Langkawi, Malaysia.
context_page_description: The Pasukan Khas Laut, commonly abbreviated to PASKAL, is the principal special operations force of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
  PASKAL's task is to conduct small-unit maritime military operations that originate from, and return to a river, ocean, swamp, delta or coastline. PASKAL also performs unconventional warfare, guerrilla warfare, counter-guerrilla warfare, jungle warfare, counter-terrorism, close protection, hostage rescue and foreign internal defence.
  Although PASKAL was created as a maritime counter-terrorism unit, it has become a multi-functional special operations unit with roles that include high-risk operations including direct action, special reconnaissance operations and other specialised missions.
  PASKAL is an all-male force that was officially established on 1 October 1982, after a five-year setup period, with the purpose of enforcing Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone maritime claims through sea, air and land operations.
  PASKAL personnel routinely serve and train with allied SOFs including the Australian SASR, Indonesian Kopassus and Denjaka, Singaporean Naval Diving Unit, Thai Navy SEALs, US Green Beret and USN SEALs.
context_section_description: One of PASKAL's main roles is to launch offensive operations independently via sea, land and air in enemy-controlled areas. PASKAL operatives are trained to conduct maritime operations such as anti-piracy, ship and oil rig hijacking. The security of more than thirty offshore oil rigs in Malaysian waters are PASKAL's responsibility. The unit holds regular training exercises on each rig.
  Other PASKAL roles include securing beachheads, deep penetration reconnaissance raids, structure and underwater demolition and sabotage. PASKAL also handles in-harbour underwater sabotage, ship-boarding assault, Counter-Terrorist missions (CT), infiltration behind enemy lines and mine-clearing.
  Special joint training with army special units is conducted regularly on specialised skills like HALO and HAHO overwater and overland parachute jumps.
  PASKAL detachments are stationed on sensitive Malaysian offshore stations, particularly on the Layang-Layang atoll, while other detachments are permanently staged on RMN ships.
caption: PASKAL team with RHIB.
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