US weighs naval strike missile sale to Malaysia after Norway cancels RM634m contract
Source: Penang Today
The United States has agreed to consider selling Malaysia naval strike missiles to replace a system whose delivery was cancelled by Norwegian manufacturer Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
Defence Minister Khaled Nordin said the matter was raised during a bilateral meeting with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
“We have asked whether the US is willing to allow the sale of the missiles,” Bernama reported Khaled as saying.
The same missile system is manufactured in the United States by Raytheon in partnership with Kongsberg. The US Navy and Marine Corps already operate the naval strike missile, with Raytheon producing launchers and building components through its domestic supply chain.
Malaysia ordered the Kongsberg system in 2018 under a RM634 million contract to arm six littoral combat ships. The Norwegian government later revoked the export permit, stating defence technology exports would be limited to “allies and closest partners.”
Putrajaya is now seeking more than RM1 billion in compensation from Kongsberg for direct and indirect losses, having already paid 95% of the procurement value.
Khaled also met Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles to discuss strengthening strategic cooperation, and said Malaysia and Canada were ready to formalise closer defence ties.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
