[1] The 18 RAMD was formed during communist insurgency as an infantry battalion on 1 May 1976, in Segenting Camp, Port Dickson.

On 10 April 1999, 18 RAMD was reassigned to the 8th Infantry Brigade and relocated to Sri Pantai Camp, Seberang Takir in Terengganu.

The Army Command considered the Sri Pantai Camp,[note 1] which is close to the Sultan Mahmud Airport, and chose the unit headquartered there, 18 RAMD, to be converted to an airborne role.

On 27 April 2017, 140 paratroopers from 18 RAMD participated in Exercise Lion Warrior Siri 1/2017 to prepare themselves to be a part of the Malaysian Rapid Deployment Force.

[2] The 18 RAMD (Para), like the other airborne infantry in the 10th Parachute Brigade, is expected to be able to deploy at any time and to any place by air, land, or sea.