Malaysia Considers Legal Action After Norway Blocks Missile Export

Malaysia said on Wednesday it was weighing legal action after Norway blocked the export of missiles ordered for its navy. The decision stopped a Norwegian company from completing delivery of the Naval Strike Missile, which had been contracted for Malaysia’s littoral combat ship programme.

The contract was signed in 2018 and carried out without any issue until the last-minute refusal to approve the export permit, according to Malaysian officials.

Payments had been made according to schedule. A government spokesman said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had raised the matter with his Norwegian counterpart on Tuesday. The spokesman told a weekly press conference after a cabinet meeting that the Malaysian government was deeply disappointed by the action.

"The Malaysian government cannot accept at all the reasons given by the Norwegian government," the spokesman said. He added that Malaysia was pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels and considering appropriate follow-up action from a legal standpoint.

The spokesman stated that planning and implementing the national defence plan is a strategic interest that cannot be compromised under any circumstances.

The littoral combat ship programme has faced delays in the past. The Norwegian government has not publicly detailed the reasons for blocking the export permit. The missiles are central to the combat system of the vessels Malaysia has been acquiring.