THE government is pursuing claims to recover the RM571.9mil it paid for Norway-made Naval Strike Missile (NSM) systems, following Norway’s revocation of the export licence, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.
He said the contract contains provisions allowing the government to take action in the event of non-performance or a breach of contractual obligations by the relevant party.
“In this case, the Norwegian government’s revocation of the export licence was beyond the control of both the Malaysian government and the supplier.
“As such, the ministry is invoking the relevant contractual provisions to safeguard the government’s interests, including pursuing claims to recover the payment and any related damages,” he said in a written reply on Wednesday.
Norway previously announced that it had revoked the export licence for the NSM anti-ship missiles and their associated launcher systems to Malaysia on national security grounds.
Khaled said Malaysia’s maritime defence readiness will not be affected by the revocation.
He said the Royal Malaysian Navy has sufficient assets and weapons systems to safeguard the nation’s maritime sovereignty, while the Littoral Combat Ship delivery schedule remains on track.
He was responding to Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar (BN-Kinabatangan) who asked about the implication of Norway’s cancellation of the export licence on Malaysia’s maritime defence readiness.
Separately, Khaled said development of counter-drone capabilities is underway to strengthen the country’s defences against modern and emerging threats.
