Malaysia seeks new missile suppliers after Norway cancels export license

Malaysia is actively exploring alternative suppliers for anti-ship missiles (NSM) following the cancellation of an export license by a Norwegian company. Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that Malaysia is reviewing several international manufacturers, including those from Italy, France, Turkey, South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

The primary objective is to secure missiles that are already in production to circumvent the lengthy waiting periods typically associated with new orders, which can range from four to five years. "We don't want to order new ones because we will have to wait a long time, that's not possible, we want what is currently in production," Nordin explained.

Malaysia is particularly interested in acquiring missile systems capable of long-range engagement, specifically those with a firing range of 300 kilometers. These missiles are intended for the naval vessels Malaysia is set to receive in December. The Defense Ministry will also assess the integration capabilities and pricing offered by potential suppliers before making a final decision.

Furthermore, Nordin confirmed that Malaysia will proceed with legal action and claims against the Norwegian company for failing to fulfill its contractual obligations. The country is seeking compensation for the cost of the missiles, estimated at over RM600 million, as well as indirect costs related to training and system integration, which the Norwegian company's failure has incurred.