PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency's (MMEA) capabilities are to get a major boost with the acquisition of new assets and the refurbishment existing ones.
Its director-general Maritime Rear Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the 2025 Budget earmarked funding for MMEA's ship life extension programme, which would see older vessels undergoing refits with new equipment.
"MMEA currently operates 237 vessels, including 166 boats and 71 ships. However, many of these are ageing, with some more than 30 to 40 years old, and need refurbishment.
"This ship life extension programme will ensure that older vessels are upgraded with new equipment, engines and other critical components, extending their operational lifespans for another 15 to 25 years," he said after the MMEA's media day here.
Rosli said two MMEA offshore patrol vessels, KM Banggi and KM Langkawi, were undergoing refits.
He said MMEA was would procure a multi-purpose mission ship (MPMS) and a former United States Coast Guard cutter, USCGC Steadfast, for its long-term maritime security capabilities.
Rosli said MMEA was also acquiring four helicopters.
"If all proceeds on schedule, the delivery of the helicopters will be expected by March 2026," he said.
In the 2025 Budget, RM1.8 billion was allocated to procure three new ships — a MPMS and two new generation patrol vessels — and to upgrade six vessels under phase two of the ship life extension programme.