Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has shortlisted four countries as possible suppliers of an anti-ship missile system for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project after Norway cancelled the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) procurement.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that the selection process will focus on key criteria to ensure the chosen system meets the operational needs of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) beyond basic specifications. The countries under consideration are Trkiye, South Korea, and two European nations.

"We must evaluate whether the replacement missile can be integrated with the LCS's French-built Combat Management System (CMS). It must be fully interoperable with the existing system," Mohamed Khaled explained at the Southern Zone Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Karnival Hari Keluarga Kita at X Park Impiana 2 Square.

He addressed concerns about the Norwegian government's revocation of the export licence for the NSM, emphasizing the importance of reviewing the delivery timeline to avoid any delays that could affect Malaysia's maritime defence capabilities. He noted that some suppliers are still developing their systems, but a delivery timeline extending up to eight years would not be viable.

Pricing is also a critical consideration, as the government aims to secure a high-technology system at a reasonable cost. The replacement missile must have capabilities similar to the NSM, including stealth, sea-skimming to evade enemy air defence, and high-precision targeting.

The Norwegian government had cancelled the NSM export licence to Malaysia to protect its national security interests. In response, MINDEF has issued an RM1 billion claim against the relevant defence firm over the aborted NSM procurement. The LCS project remains a key strategic asset for the RMN, crucial to strengthening the country's maritime defence.