KUALA LUMPUR: The revocation of Norway's export licence for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) system will not affect the delivery schedule of the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the Defence Ministry, through the RMN, was evaluating potential missile systems to replace the NSM while ensuring the LCS programme remained on track.
He was responding to Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar (BN-Kinabatangan), who asked about the implications of Norway's decision to revoke the NSM export licence on Malaysia's maritime defence readiness, particularly the LCS project, and the government's mitigation measures.
"The revocation of the export licence does not affect the planned delivery schedule of the LCS project.
"At the same time, the ministry, particularly through the RMN, is assessing and evaluating missile systems that have the potential to replace the NSM system," he said in a parliamentary written reply.
Khaled said the ministry viewed Norway's decision seriously but assured that it would not affect the current operational readiness of the armed forces.
He said the RMN continued to possess existing assets and weapon systems capable of carrying out its responsibility to safeguard the country's maritime sovereignty.
To ensure Malaysia's maritime defence readiness remained intact, Khaled said the ministry had implemented several mitigation measures, including continuing life extension and maintenance programmes for existing assets, diversifying defence procurement sources and strengthening defence diplomacy to ensure the continuity of strategic supply chains.
He said the incident also underscored the risks of relying on a single supplier for critical defence capabilities.
"In light of this, the ministry will expedite the implementation of the National Defence Industry Policy to strengthen the capabilities of the local defence industry.
"It will also prioritise government-to-government procurement for future strategic acquisitions to reduce the risk of unilateral disruptions or contract cancellations," he said. - NST
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