We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again.

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) conducted the rare show in the disputed region following fresh tensions with China. China has been accused of harassing Malaysia and Vietnam’s oil and gas exploration ships for at least six weeks. The RMN’s last known firing of anti-ship missiles was conducted in 2014, Janes reported.

Malaysian defence minister Mohamad Bin Sabu said in a statement: “The success of the missile firings is proof that the RMN is able to undertake operations in the South China Sea.

“The execution of these exercises will assure the maritime community, especially those on the eastern seaboard of peninsular Malaysia, that the RMN and the Malaysian Armed Forces stand ready to uphold peace and defend their interests in the South China Sea.”

The missiles were fired from the service's lead Kasturi (Type FS 1500)-class corvette, KD Kasturi (25) and a Super Lynx naval helicopter.

The operation comes after the risk of collision between Chinese and Malaysian vessels.

READ MORE: South China Sea threat: Beijing launches six anti-ship missiles