A DAP lawmaker has urged the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Security to immediately summon Defence Minister Khaled Nordin to testify on Norway’s decision to ban exports of its naval strike missiles (NSM) to Malaysia.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who is also a member of the PSSC, stressed that beyond being a “small procurement issue”, the matter should be considered as a “major failure” as it involves critical weapons initially meant for the long-delayed littoral combat ships (LCS) project.
Highlighting that taxpayers deserve answers and accountability, Lim warned that Putrajaya’s handling of Oslo’s policy change raises serious questions about the Defence Ministry’s competence, planning, and oversight.
“What is shocking is that the minister (Khaled) was reportedly only informed (of the NSM export ban) mid-last month, despite the fact that the delivery (to Malaysia) was supposed to take place this month.
“How could the Defence Ministry not know earlier? Was nobody monitoring the situation, or was the entire system asleep?” he asked when contacted by Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini has requested comments from the PSSC chairperson, Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s Ranau MP Jonathan Yasin, and is awaiting a response.
No advanced weapons for non-Nato nations
On May 6, defence news portal Malaysian Defence reported that Khaled was informed of the ban during a meeting with Norwegian officials on April 20, on the first day of the Defence Services Asia 2026 exhibition, ahead of NSM deliveries scheduled this month.
The ban is reportedly due to a policy change in Oslo that forbids the delivery of advanced weapons to non-Nato countries besides close allies, with Norwegian authorities said to have opted to revoke certain export licences related to specific technologies.
In response to the report, Khaled said Malaysia is using diplomatic channels with Norway to obtain an explanation and seek the next steps forward to protect the nation’s interests.
Yesterday, the minister also confirmed that he will meet his Norwegian counterpart in Singapore later this month to seek clarification on the Scandinavian nation’s cancellation of export licences for NSM.
Insisting that the move had come “without any indication”, Khaled added that he will express Malaysia’s regret and surprise towards the cancellation during the upcoming meeting.
Rough waters for LCS
Each of the local navy’s five Maharaja Lela-class LCS is meant to be armed with eight NSMs, with the anti-surface missiles primarily used to attack naval targets from hundreds of kilometres away, but can also be used against ground targets.
The lead LCS, KD Maharaja Lela, had begun sea trials in January and is slated for delivery in December.
Following the export ban, however, Norwegian defence firm Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KDA) will have to cancel the supply contract signed with Malaysia for the purchase of the missiles, as it will not be able to legally deliver the armament.
On May 9, Bernama reported that according to KDA’s website, the procurement of the NSM for six LCS was formalised between the Malaysian navy and the company in April 2018 via a deal worth 124 million euros (RM571.9 million).
Besides potential changes to the LCS’ combat management system if Putrajaya chooses to adopt a different missile, existing equipment on the ships, such as ramps for NSM launchers and ancillary wiring, may also need to be removed.
The effects of the ban, if left unmitigated, could put additional pressure on the multi-billion-ringgit LCS project that has already been delayed for years and is sorely needed by the navy to rejuvenate its ageing fleet.
Additionally, the ripple effects of the ban would also impact orders placed last year to replace Exocet missiles fitted on the Lekiu-class frigates, KD Jebat and KD Lekiu. - Mkini
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