KUALA LUMPUR: Norway has ban the deliveries of the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to Malaysia, effectively cancelling the supply and delivery contract for them, signed back in 2018. It also meant that the order for two more NSM launchers announced at LIMA 2025, is also cancelled.
The decision to ban the deliveries of the NSM was made known to Malaysia, just days before the scheduled deliveries of the surface-to-surface missiles for the five RMN Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
The decision to ban the deliveries of the NSM was conveyed to Defence Minister DS Khaled Nordin during a meeting with Norwegian officials on April 20, on the first day of DSA 2026 exhibition, according to defence industry sources.
The sources told Malaysian Defence that Norway made the unilateral decision to ban the deliveries of the missiles, effectively cancelling the contract without notifying Malaysia of its attention.
Malaysian Defence agreed not to publish the story after meeting Defence Ministry secretary-general Lokman Hakim Ali on April 21. He asked the publication be delayed until the matter was briefed to the Malaysian Cabinet.
Khaled confirmed that he was told about the delivery ban, when asked by Malaysian Defence on April 22, the third day of DSA 2026. He said the ministry was waiting for an official statement from the Norwegian government before informing the Malaysian Cabinet on the issue and the next course of action.
He said the ministry will issued an official statement after the Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet meeting is held regularly on every Wednesday. As the story is published today, the ministry has yet to issue a statement on the ban. The release has been issued (below).
Norwegian authorities have concluded to revoke certain export licenses related to specific technologies. This change is due to Norway’s stricter controls of certain technologies.
Norway greatly values its strong relationship with Malaysia, and we look forward to continued cooperation and our constructive dialogue with the Malaysian authorities.
It did not say why the ban was imposed at the last minute nor whether Kongsberg will repay the payments made by Malaysia.
The last minute cancellation meant the ministry and the RMN now has to find the replacement missiles to the already-much delayed, LCS project. It is unlikely a contract for the replacement will be signed within the next few months.
When the government procured the NSM for the LCS back in 2018, as the usual practise it never confirmed the number of missiles bought. PMX told Parliament in August 2025 that the RMN was getting 48 NSM.
Lokman Hakim said the Norwegian official told the Defence Minister that Kongsberg was invoking force majeure on the contract, as it has no legal right to deliver the missiles to Malaysia, as a new Norwegian legislature on arms deals forbids the deliveries of advanced weapons to non-Nato countries apart from close allies. Malaysia is the only non-Nato country and its close allies which bought the NSM.
According to Kongsberg, apart from Malaysia, the NSM or the air launched version Joint Strike Missile had been selected by Norway, Poland, Germany, the United States, Japan, Romania, Canada, Australia, Denmark, UK and Spain. Checks on Kongsberg website today showed Malaysia was still among the buyers of the NSM/JSM.
Malaysia looks for ‘further clarifications’ from Norway after Naval Strike Missile order falters
By Tim Martin and Mike Yeo on May 06, 2026 12:58 pm
Malaysia and Kongsberg signed a deal in 2018 for supply of an undisclosed number of NSM weapons to equip six new Littoral Combat Ships.
BELFAST and SINGAPORE — Malaysia says it will “seek further clarifications” from Norway surrounding an order for Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) after reports emerged that Oslo is reneging on a defense exports approval — likely signaling cancellation of the deal.
Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said in a statement published on social media today that he had taken note of reports claiming the procurement is facing a supply issue along with Norway’s apparent change of heart.
In light of the reports, “Malaysia will use diplomatic channels with the Government of Norway to seek further clarifications and find the best solution in the interest of the country,” he said. Nordin did not mention if Kuala Lumpur will seek to recoup any payments made to Kongsberg or if alternative weapons are to be assessed as a possible NSM replacement.
“Norwegian authorities have concluded to revoke certain export licenses related to specific technologies. This change is due to Norway’s stricter controls of certain technologies,” a spokesperson for Norway’s ministry of foreign affairs told Breaking Defense on May 7.
“Norway greatly values its strong relationship with Malaysia, and we look forward to continued cooperation and our constructive dialogue with the Malaysian authorities.”
Malaysia and Kongsberg signed a deal in 2018 for supply of an undisclosed number of NSM weapons to equip six new Royal Malaysian Navy Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
The “Ministry of Defense remains committed to ensuring the country’s defense readiness is unaffected and maintaining good bilateral relations” with Norway, he added.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway’s Ministry of Defense and Kongsberg all did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
Should the cancellation go ahead, it would deal a fresh blow to Malaysia’s LCS program, leaving the navy in need of a new primary anti-ship missile at a time when the country’s lead ship, LCS 1 Maharaja Lela, has started sea trials after years of delay.
According to Kongsberg company literature [PDF] NSM offers “high survivability against all enemy soft and hard kill defence systems,” and is designed specifically to destroy air and land based targets out to a range beyond 300km (186 miles). It can also travel at high supersonic speed and weighs 407kg (just under 900 pounds).
Updated 5/7/2026 at 12:16 pm ET with comment from Norway’s ministry of foreign affairs.
