Malaysia PM says Norway missile export halt 'unacceptable'

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's Prime Minister said Thursday Norway's decision to revoke export approvals for a naval strike missile system for its warships is "unacceptable", adding it could undermine the country's defence preparedness. Oslo's foreign ministry last week told Norwegian news agency NTB that "certain weapons export licenses to Malaysia had been revoked", but said it "could not comment on individual contracts due to confidentiality". "The change follows a tightening of controls on certain technologies," the ministry said in a statement to NTB. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Thursday that he had raised "vehement objection" with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Stoere in a phone call, calling the decision "unilateral and unacceptable". "Signed contracts are solemn instruments. They are not confetti to be scattered in so capricious a manner," Anwar said in a statement on Facebook Thursday. "If European defence suppliers reserve the right to renege with impunity, their value as strategic partners flies out the window." Anwar said the move "will have grave consequences for Malaysia's defence operational readiness and the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) modernisation programme". "It will undoubtedly carry broader ramifications for the regional balance," he added. Malaysia approved the LCS project deal in 2011, with an initial six billion ringgit ($1.5 billion) contract for six vessels. The deal, which had been plagued with allegations of mismanagement and rising costs over the years, was relaunched in 2023 following a government review, with the number of ships reduced to five. Delivery of the first vessel, expected in August, has been pushed back to December due to delays in equipment deliveries and ongoing rework, officials said according to local media reports. Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin told reporters in Kuala Lumpur Thursday that his ministry has formed a special committee to assess possible legal action against the supplier of the missile system, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, following the cancellation of the procurement contract. "A special committee at ministry level has been established to detail the claims, which are not limited to refunding payments already made, but also include damages arising from breach of contract," Mohamed Khaled said.

Go to News Site