Malaysia has reacted strongly after Norway unexpectedly stopped the delivery of naval missiles intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy, The Strait Times reports.
The missiles, produced by Norwegian defence company Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, were originally ordered back in 2018 as part of Malaysia’s naval modernisation plans.
But according to Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Norwegian authorities refused to approve the export licence shortly before the missiles were due to be shipped earlier this year.
“After eight years, this is shocking and has affected us,” Mohamed Khaled Nordin told reporters on May 12, according to The Strait Times.
Diplomatic talks to solve the problem
Malaysia expected the missiles to be delivered in March 2026.
Mohamed Khaled Nordin said, that Malaysia is now trying to resolve the issue through diplomatic discussions between the two governments.
He added that he may meet Norway’s defence minister in Singapore later this month to raise Malaysia’s concerns directly.
Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has stated that export approvals are handled solely by Norwegian authorities and that the company follows all national export control regulations.
