LCS delivery schedule on track despite Norway’s missile export ban

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — The Norwegian government’s cancellation of its export licence for the NSM (Naval Strike Missile) system to Malaysia will not affect the delivery schedule of the country’s littoral combat ships (LCS), Parliament was told.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said in a written reply dated July 7 that the scheduled delivery of the ships is guaranteed by the Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS).

The Ministry of Defence has spent RM8.45 billion on the LCS project as of May 31 this year, representing 76.2 per cent of the overall project value, Parliament was told.

However, the project’s current physical progress stands at 78.1 per cent, compared with the planned target of 85.21 per cent.

“The LCS still possesses various capabilities such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, and electronic warfare, as well as a Combat Management System (CMS) that integrates all these capabilities with the ship’s radar and sensor systems,” Khaled said.

“At the same time, the Ministry, through the RMN (Royal Malaysian Navy), is taking all necessary steps to ensure that the Surface-to-Surface Missile capability of the LCS ships can be restored through the best possible solution.”