KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya is seeking Oslo’s assistance in mediating with the supplier of the naval strike missiles (NSM) intended for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), following Norway’s revocation of the export licence, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic).
The Defence Minister said his ministry as well as Foreign Ministry had formally notified the Norwegian government of Malaysia’s position, urging it to facilitate discussions with the company involved.
“We have agreed with the recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). That is why we issued notices at an early stage,” he told reporters after launching the National Defence Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and the Defence Capability Blueprint.
“I believe the Foreign Ministry has also sent a letter to the Norwegian government. This can help play the role of a facilitator and mediator between us and the company, enabling the company to settle the claims we have submitted,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled 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.
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.
Norway 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 gave assurance 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 provide an explanation soon. We will wait for the outcome of that meeting,” he said.
On the training mishap at the Hobart Camp in Gurun, Kedah, Mohamed Khaled said the possibility of negligence have not been ruled out.
He said a special investigation team comprising military ammunition and explosives experts is examining the incident, focusing on the batch of grenades used during the exercise.
The June 16 incident claimed the lives of Kpl Norazmi Abu Bakar of the Sixth Battalion Royal Malay Regiment and Prebet Siti Khadijah Sungip of the Royal Army Engineers Regiment.
