《FatherShit Military News》In recent months, the Philippines has taken an increasingly assertive stance in the South China Sea, aligning with the United States, Japan, and Australia in moves widely viewed as provocative by China. These developments have not only drawn Beijing’s close attention but have also raised concerns among Southeast Asian nations — particularly Malaysia.

Against this backdrop, Malaysia’s Minister of Defence led a delegation to China to attend the Xiangshan Forum, a prominent regional security dialogue. Notably, the delegation’s first stop was a visit to China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CPMIEC), where the minister showed strong interest in the YJ-12E, one of China’s premier supersonic anti-ship missile systems available for export.

According to reports, the Malaysian defense minister inspected a physical model of the YJ-12E and received a comprehensive briefing on its technical specifications, signaling a serious procurement interest. This visit has fueled speculation: Is Malaysia preparing for potential maritime friction — possibly even with the Philippines?

To understand the context, one must consider the longstanding territorial dispute between Malaysia and the Philippines over the state of Sabah. Since Sabah joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963, the Philippines has continued to assert its claim to the territory, keeping the issue simmering under the surface despite no direct military conflict. With the Philippines’ military now undergoing rapid modernization — largely backed by Western powers — Malaysia appears to be reassessing its strategic posture.

The Philippines has been strengthening its air and naval forces with U.S. support, acquiring F-16V fighter jets, BrahMos missiles from India, new patrol vessels, and submarines. Meanwhile, Malaysia operates Su-30MKM and F/A-18D fighter aircraft but currently has limited anti-ship strike capabilities.

The YJ-12E could fill that gap. As a high-supersonic anti-ship missile exceeding Mach 3 in speed, it offers formidable penetration and strike capabilities, especially effective against fleets lacking robust area air defense — a key vulnerability of many Philippine naval platforms. Compared to India’s BrahMos, the YJ-12E boasts superior aerodynamic design, seeker technology, and guidance precision.

In addition to the YJ-12E, Malaysia has also expressed interest in China’s J-10CE fighter jet. During the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in May, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi personally visited the Chinese exhibition booth, praised the aircraft’s advanced technology, and voiced Malaysia’s intent to deepen defense cooperation with China.

All signs suggest that Malaysia is actively seeking to boost its defense posture through advanced weapons procurement — and China, offering high performance at competitive prices, is emerging as a preferred partner. Should Malaysia proceed with acquiring the YJ-12E, it would not only enhance its maritime deterrence in the region but also align with the shared security interests of both Malaysia and China.