Government shortlists three missile systems for navy's LCS

LUMUT: The government has shortlisted three surface-to-surface missile (SSM) systems from three countries for the Royal Malaysian Navy's Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the selection was now at the final stage, with several issues still requiring the government's decision.

"We are at the final stage. There are several issues that need to be decided, and we need to obtain the government's decision," he said.

He told reporters this after opening the 93rd Armed Forces Day celebrations at the Royal Malaysian Navy Base here today.

Khaled said three types of SSMs had been shortlisted.

"Three... three types of surface-to-surface missiles," he said when asked about the number of companies shortlisted.

Asked whether the missiles were from three countries, he confirmed: "From three countries."

However, Khaled declined to disclose the countries or missile systems involved.

"There's no need to know," he said when asked to name them.

It was reported that a decision to ban deliveries of the missile system was made known to Malaysia just days before the scheduled delivery of the surface-to-surface missiles for five Royal Malaysian Navy LCS.

The report also said the decision to ban NSM deliveries was conveyed to Khaled during a meeting with Norwegian officials on April 20, the first day of the Defence Services Asia 2026 exhibition.

Following this, Malaysia issued a notice of demand to a Norwegian defence firm over the cancellation of an export licence for a missile system intended for the Navy's LCS, claiming losses exceeding RM1 billion.

Malaysia had already paid €126 million (RM583 million), equivalent to 95 per cent of the contract value, before the cancellation.