Defence minister: Navy to decide replacement for cancelled Norwegian Naval Strike Missile system

“LUMUT, May 19 —The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has left it to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to assess alternatives to replace the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) system, after its supply was cancelled by a Norwegian defence contractor. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the move could open the door to cooperation with friendly nations or increased engagement with local defence industry players, in line with efforts to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. “Let the Navy decide. We believe the best option is a system that is compatible and can be integrated with the combat system, from countries that are willing to transfer technology and that we trust as genuine partners. “This (cancelled deal) incident has also strengthened our commitment to enhancing the local defence industry and reducing dependence on external suppliers,” he told reporters after a working visit to inspect progress on the littoral combat ship (LCS) project at Lumut Naval Shipyard at the Navy base here today. Mohamed Khaled said replacing the NSM system would involve additional costs, including training personnel and integrating a new system with existing platforms. “The ship has already been fitted with mounting points for the missile. If we procure a different system from another country, the mounting may differ. “Then there are training costs and the need to ensure integration between the new system and the existing combat system. All of this must be done, or the missile system cannot function effectively,” he said. However, Mohamed Khaled stressed that the issue would not affect the delivery schedule of the RMN LSCs, which are currently under construction. He said LCS1 KD Maharajalela is scheduled for delivery in December this year, followed by LCS2 in August 2027, LCS3 in December 2027, LCS4 in August 2028, and LCS5 in April 2029. — Bernama

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