Malaysia criticizes Norway's halt on missile exports, saying defense plans are at risk

Malaysia expressed its opposition on Thursday to Norway's surprise decision to revoke the export approvals of a naval strike missile systems intended for its combat vessels. The'move' would threaten Kuala Lumpur’s defence plans and harm regional s?ecurity.

Last week, the Malaysian defence ministry announced that it would ask Oslo for clarifications on the decision. Officials have stated that the decision was made only days before the delivery of the missiles in March.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Malaysia's government stated that the country is also "considering" potential legal actions without providing details.

Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, said that he conveyed the objections of Malaysia in a telephone call to his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Stoere on Thursday. He described the decision?to stop the missile exports? as "unilateral" and "inacceptable".

"Signed agreements are solemn documents. "They are not confetti that should be scattered so capriciously," Anwar said on Facebook.

If 'European defence suppliers' reserve the right to renege without repercussion, their value as strategic allies is thrown out of the window.

Last week, the Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry announced that it had decided to cancel certain export licenses for specific technologies which are now under stricter control.

The supplier of the system, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KDA), said that the Norwegian authorities handled the export licensing decisions and the system fully complies to all applicable regulations.

Anwar stated that the decision will have "grave consequences" for Malaysia's operational readiness in defence and its Littoral Combat Ship Modernisation (LCS)?programme.

He said that the impact of this will be far-reaching for regional balance.

Malaysia's LCS Project, which was launched in 2011 with six vessels and an initial cost of 6 billion Ringgit, has faced a number of?serious management issues. Costs have risen over time.

After a review by the government, it was decided to purchase five ships instead of six.

Due to delayed equipment deliveries by manufacturers and ongoing rework problems, the delivery of 'the first vessel', originally scheduled for this August, has now been pushed back until December. (Reporting and editing by David Stanway; Additional reporting by Danial Azar; Reporting by Rozanna Lattif)

(source: Reuters)