KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — Malaysia’s Defence Ministry said it will discuss with Norway a shift in Oslo’s position regarding defence export approvals that has halted the supply of missiles intended for its naval combat ships, in the latest setback to the project.
In a statement yesterday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed that the ministry holds a procurement contract with Norwegian defence firm Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS for the supply of Naval Strike Missile (NSM) guided missiles used to equip the country’s Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS told Reuters that export licensing decisions are handled by the Norwegian authorities and that it fully complies with all applicable regulations, adding that it remains committed to its long-term partnerships and activities in the region.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had decided to revoke certain export licences related to specific technologies, citing stricter national controls.
The ministry added that Norway looked forward to constructive dialogue with Malaysian authorities.
Malaysia’s LCS project, awarded in 2011 for six vessels at an initial cost of RM6 billion, has been dogged by issues, with costs ballooning over the years while the ships remain undelivered.
The project was relaunched in 2023 following a government review, with the decision made to acquire only five ships instead of six. The first vessel, originally scheduled for delivery in August this year, has been pushed back to December due to delayed equipment deliveries from manufacturers and ongoing rework issues.
The statement came in response to a report by a Malaysian defence news portal claiming that Norway had banned delivery of the missiles to Malaysia just days before the scheduled date.
“The ministry takes note of the change in the Norwegian government’s position regarding defence export approvals, which has affected the implementation of the said contract,” Mohamed Khaled said.
He added that the ministry will seek further clarification and discuss appropriate steps to safeguard the nation’s interests.