GENERAL DATO’ SRI HAJI MUHAMAD NORAZLAN BIN ARIS RMAF
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CHIEF OF AIR FORCE
ROYAL MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE
General Dato’ Sri Haji Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris RMAF was born in Kota Tinggi, Johor, on 9 November 1967. His career in the Malaysian Armed Forces began when he underwent training as a Cadet Officer at the Royal Military College, Sungai Besi, from 1985 to 1987.
He began his flight training in 1988 at RMAF Alor Setar, and upon completing the training, he was selected to operate fighter aircraft. Throughout his career, he has flown various fighter aircraft such as the Aermacchi MB339A, A-4PTM Skyhawk, Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29N/UB, and the Sukhoi Su-30MKM, and has also served as a flight instructor on the MB339A, MiG-29N/UB, and Su-30MKM.
Throughout his service, General Dato’ Sri Haji Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris RMAF has been entrusted with holding numerous key appointments within the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in command, staff, and instructor roles. These include Staff Officer 1 for Fighter Operations at No. 1 Air Division, Commanding Officer of No. 11 Squadron Su-30MKM, Commander of Gong Kedak Air Base, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Training & Operations, Chief of Staff at the Air Operations Command Headquarters, Air Support Commander, Air Operations Commander, Deputy Chief of Air Force, and currently serves as the 21st Chief of Air Force, effective 26 June 2025.
In pursuit of academic and professional excellence, he has attended numerous professional and military courses locally and abroad. These include the Staff Course at the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College (MTAT) in Kuala Lumpur, the Fighter Weapon Instructor Course (FWI) at the International Test Pilots School Ltd (ITPS Canada), the Higher Defence Orientation Course at the Army War College, MHOW, India, and the Strategic Studies Course at the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) in the United Kingdom. He holds a Diploma in Strategic & Defence Studies from the University of Malaya (2001), a Master of Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong, Australia (2012), and has completed studies in International Security and Strategic Leadership in the United Kingdom.
In recognition of his dedication and contributions to the service and the nation, he has been conferred numerous honours and medals from the Federal Government, States, and the Armed Forces, including the Darjah Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP), Sri Indera Mahkota Pahang (SIMP), Panglima Setia Angkatan Tentera (PSAT), Dato’ Setia Pahlawan Negeri Kedah Yang Amat Dihormati (DSPK), Seri Mahkota Wilayah (SWM), Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP), Pahlawan Angkatan Tentera (PAT), Kesatria Angkatan Tentera (KAT), Kesatria Mangku Negara (KMN), Ahli Mangku Negara (AMN), Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM), and the Pingat Kedaulatan Negara (PKN).
Additionally, he has received the Excellent Service Award (APC) five times—while holding the ranks of Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, and Brigadier General in the RMAF.
General Dato’ Sri Haji Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris RMAF is married to Datin Sri Hajah Wan Nor Sazlina binti Wan Abd Shukor on 19 August 1994. The couple is blessed with four daughters. In his free time, he enjoys leisure activities and travelling.