Malaysia’s Defence Ministry said it will seek clarification from Norway after Norwegian export controls halted the delivery of missiles intended for Malaysia’s naval combat ships.
The missiles were due to be supplied by Norwegian defence company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace under a procurement contract linked to Malaysia’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme.
According to Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, the Norwegian government’s change in position on defence export approvals has affected the implementation of the contract.
Norway’s Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that certain export licenses tied to specific technologies had been revoked as part of stricter export controls. The ministry said it looked forward to continued dialogue with Malaysian authorities.
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace told Reuters that export licensing decisions are handled by Norwegian authorities and said the company remains committed to its long-term partnerships in the region.
Malaysia’s Littoral Combat Ship project has faced years of delays and rising costs since it was first awarded in 2011. The project was relaunched in 2023 with plans reduced from six ships to five, while the first vessel’s delivery has now been delayed until December 2026.
