KUALA LUMPUR: The government is moving swiftly to resolve Norway's revocation of the export licence for Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) intended for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project, with Putrajaya seeking Oslo's assistance in mediating with the Norwegian supplier.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic) said both the Defence Ministry and Foreign Ministry had formally notified the Norwegian government of Malaysia's position, urging it to facilitate discussions with the company involved.
"We are prepared to resolve this matter as soon as possible and have agreed with the recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). That is why we issued notices at an early stage.
"I believe the Foreign Ministry has also sent a letter to the Norwegian government so that it can at least play the role of a facilitator and mediator between the company and us, enabling the company to settle the claims we have submitted," he told reporters after launching the National Defence Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and the Defence Capability Blueprint on Thursday (June 25).
He was commenting on the PAC's concerns over Norway's decision to revoke the export licence for the NSM anti-ship missiles earmarked for the Navy's LCS programme, despite Malaysia having paid about 95% of the contract value.
PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the committee viewed the matter seriously, given the substantial payments already made under the contract.
In May, Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia would proceed with legal action against the Norway-based supplier for failing to deliver the missile system following the cancellation of the export licence by the Norwegian government.
He said the legal action would continue despite an apology from his Norwegian counterpart, Tore O. Sandvik, over Oslo's decision to revoke the export permit.
Norway previously said it had cancelled the export licence for the NSM anti-ship missiles and their associated launcher systems to Malaysia on national security grounds.
The NSM is a long-range anti-ship missile capable of conducting maritime strike missions at high subsonic speed with a range exceeding 300km.
On the progress of the LCS programme, Mohamed Khaled assured that the delivery of the vessels to the navy would proceed according to schedule.
"We have promised to deliver within the stipulated timeline. The ministry's secretary-general has already travelled for discussions and will explain soon. We will wait for the outcome of that meeting," he said.
