Kuala lumpur: South Korean aerospace and defence manufacturer, LIG Nex1 has signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) for the supply of surface-to-air missile systems for the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch 2 project. The LOA involves integrating the HAEGUNG (Sea Bow) missile system onto Turkish-built vessels, marking a shift for the RMN.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, LIG Nex1 Malaysia Office head Daniel Lee stated the agreement reflects RMN's confidence in the company's technology and long-standing partnership. Lee expressed that RMN recognises the company's performance and technology, highlighting the trust built over the past seven years. He shared these insights during the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security Asia (NATSEC) 2026 exhibitions.

Earlier, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced that the ministry has secured and signed 24 contracts and industrial collaboration programmes (ICPs) valued at RM3.54 billion at the DSA and NATSEC Asia 2026 exhibition. Lee mentioned that discussions with Turkish shipbuilder STM have been ongoing to ensure the system's smooth integration in line with project timelines.

Lee also remarked that the agreement aligns with LIG Nex1's broader strategy to position Malaysia as its strategic regional base in Southeast Asia. He emphasized that Malaysia serves as a strategic forward base due to its geography, diplomatic relations, political and economic stability, skilled workforce, and established aerospace ecosystem, making it an ideal hub for the ASEAN market.

On future plans, Lee stated the company is exploring joint ventures with local partners, focusing initially on maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) before transitioning to local assembly. He indicated that LIG Nex1 is responding to the Malaysian government's emphasis on localisation and is planning to establish a joint venture by seeking a suitable local partner.