KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — Malaysia has been left “shocked” after Norway halted the delivery of missiles ordered in 2018 for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said today.
According to The Star, Khaled said the missiles, which were scheduled for delivery in March this year, were blocked after the Norwegian government refused to approve the export licence just days before shipment.
He said the missiles were intended for the LCS fleet as well as naval vessels KD Jebat and KD Lekiu.
“Several days before delivery, without any warning, the Norwegian government informed us that it would not approve the export licence for the products.
“After eight years, this is shocking and has affected us,” he was quoted as saying after launching the Madani Economy Programme for the Armed Forces at the Fifth Battalion Royal Malay Regiment (5 RAMD) in Kluang today.
Khaled said Putrajaya was addressing the matter through diplomatic channels, including discussions involving the prime ministers and foreign ministers of both countries.
“I may meet the Norwegian defence minister in Singapore at the end of this month to convey that we are not only shocked, but that this does not reflect the good relations between the two countries,” he said.
On Saturday, Bernama reported that Norwegian defence manufacturer Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KDA) clarified that export licensing decisions regarding the supply of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) for the LCS were handled entirely by Norwegian authorities.
KDA spokesman Ivar Simensen said the company operates in strict accordance with legal frameworks established by the Norwegian government.
“Export licensing decisions are handled by the Norwegian authorities. We fully comply with all applicable regulations and do not comment on specific licensing matters,” he said, while reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the region.
The Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry was reported to have revoked certain export licences related to specific technologies, citing stricter export controls.
According to KDA’s website, procurement of the NSM was formalised between the Royal Malaysian Navy and KDA in April 2018 in a deal worth €124 million (RM571.9 million) to equip six new LCS vessels.
The missile is capable of long-range maritime strikes at high subsonic speeds, with a range exceeding 300km.
Date: 12 May, 2026 2:00 pm
Source: Malay Mail
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