Lumut Naval Base (KD Rajawali)

Lumut Naval Base is a military installation in Lumut, Perak, approximately 160 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. It is the largest naval base in Malaysia and is operated by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). The facility was established in January 1973 as a regional base. In 1975, the Malaysian government initiated plans to relocate the RMN headquarters from Woodlands Naval Base in Singapore to Malaysia. Following site selection and planning in collaboration with the West German engineering firm Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG, the RMN headquarters officially relocated to Lumut on 9 September 1984. A heliport was constructed in May 1986, leading to the establishment of the Naval Air Unit.

The installation serves as the headquarters for the RMN Western Fleet Command, overseeing operations in Western Malaysia. The base hosts numerous RMN commands and units. KD Malaya manages base services and infrastructure. The facility also functions as the RMN Naval Air HQ, known officially as KD Rajawali. Stationed aviation units include 501 Squadron, 502 Squadron ('Agile Et Fute'), 503 Squadron ('Monoluku Momurias') operating AW139 helicopters, and 601 Squadron operating ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles.

Additional tenant commands include the RMN Education and Training Command HQ, which operates the KD Pelandok training center and the KD Sultan Idris 1 officers training center. The Diving and Mine Warfare HQ oversees the KD Duyong diving school. The Naval Special Forces HQ commands KD Panglima Hitam (PASKAL Unit 1) and the KD Panglima Garang training facilities. Other stationed units are KD Sri Manjung for RMN Reserves, Protela Lumut military police, the 96 Armed Forces Hospital, and the Spiritual Growth Centre.

The aviation infrastructure consists of a heliport facility and does not support fixed-wing aircraft. Maritime infrastructure includes the Boustead Naval Shipyard, developed following a 1977 planning phase involving Blohm & Voss and Thyssen AG. Base amenities for personnel include primary and secondary schools, shopping arcades, messes, a football stadium, an indoor stadium, a golf course, and religious buildings including a mosque, a Buddhist temple, and a Hindu temple.