Malaysia’s navy is updating its missile arsenal to strengthen defense in the South China Sea. Starting next month, the navy will receive Norwegian-made anti-ship and land-attack missiles. By 2028, deliveries of Turkey’s Atmaca anti-ship missile system are also expected. The defence ministry called this a “phased and prudent approach” during a recent parliamentary reply. This upgrade follows evaluations of next-generation missile platforms like Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s Naval Strike Missile, known for longer range, radar evasion, and better sensor integration. This overhaul repairs and replaces the navy’s 29-year-old Exocet MM40 Block 2 missiles. The navy’s missile update comes after frequent Malaysian protests about Chinese coastguard vessels near its offshore oil and gas fields in the contested sea. The modern weapons aim to boost Malaysia’s maritime strike power and deterrence in a sensitive region. The ministry stressed the importance of maintaining strong, up-to-date missile systems to face regional challenges effectively.