The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) needs more assets to strengthen its ability to safeguard the sovereignty and security of the national waters at all time.

RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said, at present, the RMN had 44 naval assets, including vessels, to ensure that there would be no encroachment on the national maritime borders by foreigners, including pirates.

"Having a shortage of assets will not hamper RMN's efforts to safeguard the national waters in a comprehensive manner, which involves 24-hour patrol by eight vessels in eight operations daily," he said in his speech at the barbeque event in conjunction with the RMN-Media Day at KD Sri Gombak in Jalan Padang Tembak here.

Also present was RMN deputy chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin.