History

The idea of establishing PUSPAHANAS was initiated by YAB Tun Abdul Razak bin Dato' Hussein starting in 1972 through the proposal to establish the Armed Forces Defence Studies Institute (IPPAT). The concept of establishing IPPAT was to create a holistic centre for studies and research in security and defence fields to conduct studies/courses in three categories, namely intermediate, advanced and highest levels. However, its establishment will be implemented in stages through the establishment of training centres/colleges specifically for each level of study category. This proposal was very appropriate and was an important necessity for the development of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) at that time.

The establishment of training centres/colleges in stages for each level of study category began with the establishment of the Armed Forces Staff College (MTAT) located in Haigate, Kuala Lumpur on 8 January 1972. MTAT fulfilled the needs and requirements of ATM, especially to provide officers trained at the intermediate level.

The process of establishing IPPAT in stages was continued through the establishment of a training centre/college named Malaysian Joint Services Staff College (MJSSC) located in Jalan Tekpi, Kuala Lumpur on 1 April 1980. MJSSC was then rebranded to Armed Forces Defence College or Maktab Pertahanan Angkatan Tentera (MPAT) on 1 January 1981.

Although the mandate for establishing MPAT was to conduct studies at the advanced level, MPAT was the highest military studies centre established at that time.

Subsequently, IPPAT was changed to National Defence Studies Academy (APPK) before the Review Committee of the National Defence Studies Academy Project Scope in 1988 renamed it to National Defence Studies Centre (PUSPAHANAS). The concept of establishing PUSPAHANAS was also agreed and approved by the Ministerial Board Meeting 6/91 which convened on 27 June 1991.

Originally, the PUSPAHANAS construction project was proposed to be located in Taman Templer, Rawang, Selangor and then planned in Precinct 11, Putrajaya. However, Putrajaya Corporation did not approve the proposal because Precinct 11, Putrajaya is also a green zone and was considered less suitable. In this regard, KEMENTAH has identified a suitable site for PUSPAHANAS construction, namely in Precinct 1, Putrajaya with an area of 41.14 acres and the site was handed over to the developer on 11 August 2008. Following the handover of the site to the developer, PUSPAHANAS construction work began on 1 November 2011 and the building scope was completed on 28 November 2018 and PUSPAHANAS began operations on 1 September 2019. As a result of the establishment of both colleges, the aspiration to create a centre of study at the highest level was achieved with the ad-hoc establishment of the National Resilience College (MKN) on 31 July 2019.

ATM top leadership is of the view that PUSPAHANAS which serves as a training provider at the national level should be entrusted with a broader, comprehensive and inclusive role. The establishment of the Malaysian Armed Forces Education, Training and Doctrine Headquarters is a strategic and significant step in strengthening the formation system based on Professional Military Philosophy. Starting from the Commander-in-Chief Committee Meeting No. 455 on 12 December 2018, the concept of establishing the Malaysian Armed Forces Education, Training and Doctrine Headquarters was agreed to be realized. As a result of the decision from the Commander-in-Chief Committee Meeting No. 474 on 20 December 2023 and the Commander-in-Chief Committee Meeting No. 475 on 1 April 2024, PUSPAHANAS has been restructured regarding functions and roles more dynamically, focused and comprehensive based on the Future Force (AMH) which shows PUSPAHANAS placed in the Raise, Train and Maintain Cluster.

On 10 March 2025, the effective date of the PUSPAHANAS Establishment Order - Temporary was issued where PUSPAHANAS serves as the Malaysian Armed Forces Education, Training and Doctrine Headquarters. Therefore, on 13 March 2025, the establishment of the Malaysian Armed Forces Education, Training and Doctrine Headquarters was officially by the 23rd Chief of Armed Forces.