Malaysian Sea Skua ASM falls into the sea

According to a NewKerala report, one of the Sea Skua ASM (Air-to-Surface Missiles) that Malaysia bought four years ago "fell into the Straits of Malacca during a contractual test firing when its rocket booster failed to ignite."

In an earlier report, it was stated that:

"However, Laksamana Ilyas declined to disclose the exact location of the test launch and the number of missiles acquired by the navy. "We have a large enough number," he told reporters here Monday after pinning honorary wings on four navy trainees who qualified for flight duty. The test target will be a barge at sea. Laksamana Ilyas urged all fishermen and tourist boats to stay away from a radius of 16 nautical miles from Kuala Beruas in the Straits of Malacca."

This missile is likely launched from the Sea Lynx helicopters of the Malaysian armed forces. Those four navy trainees who qualified probably launched the Sea Skua ASM.

After the missile fell into the sea, the report has the Malaysian navy chief saying:

"We will not accept the missiles unless they are proven to work," Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Ilayas Din was quoted by the 'New Straits Times' newspaper as saying about yesterday's incident. He said a second contractual firing test would be held on March 23.""

It is also noted that:

"Nine ships and four helicopters were involved in supporting the firing and was estimated to have cost around 68,000 US dollars. "

A later report has assured fishermen that the missile will not pose a danger to them on the seabed.