Norway canceled a contract between Kongsberg and Malaysia for Naval Strike Missiles and its launchers after the Nordic country implemented new arms restrictions. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim protested the decision on Thursday.
Malaysia was set to procure the Naval Strike Missiles and associated equipment from the Norwegian-based contractor for six Maharaja Lela-class Littoral Combat Ships under a $145 million contract signed in 2018. In 2025, Malaysia agreed to another $11.19 million contract for NSM launchers to be installed on the Royal Malaysian Navy’s two in-service Lekiu-class frigates. Malaysia has already paid more than 95 percent of the 2018 contract’s value, according to Malaysian officials.
“Signed contracts are solemn instruments. They are not confetti to be scattered in so capricious a manner,” Anwar said in a
shared to social media platforms.
[....] Norway’s revocation may be related to the NSM utilizing a U.S.-made gyroscope component that the U.S. is now restricting exportation of to third parties, an official told USNI News. Gyroscopes are used to measure orientation angles and the rate of change in missiles with the data used to keep the missile on course.
[....] “If European defense suppliers reserve the right to renege with impunity, their value as strategic partners flies out the window,” Anwar said.
[....] Malaysia’s Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) won a contract in 2014 to build six ships, which are based on French company Naval Group’s Gowind-class corvette design. The Royal Malaysian Navy and the Malaysian government were locked in a dispute over the weapons systems for the ship.
The Malaysian government preferred a combination of the Exocet surface-to-surface missile and vertical-launched Mica surface-to-air missile, while the Malaysian Navy recommended the NSM and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile. Ultimately, the ships were designed to field NSM and VL Mica.