The Royal Malaysian Navy is assessing four anti-ship missile systems to replace the cancelled Norwegian Naval Strike Missile for its Littoral Combat Ships.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is evaluating anti-ship missile systems to replace the Norwegian-made Naval Strike Missile (NSM) for Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
RMN chief Adm Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain said the assessment is focused on the capability and compatibility of integrating the missile systems with the ships’ combat management system, involving four missile system options from countries that have been identified.
He said the RMN’s priority is to ensure the LCS are delivered and enter operational service, while the decision on the type of missile system to equip the vessels with remains subject to the ongoing procurement process.
“Sea acceptance trials for all LCS systems are currently being carried out intensively. However, missile system testing cannot be conducted because the missiles are not yet available,” he told reporters after the 53rd anniversary celebration of the First Squadron of Perdana Class Combatante vessels here today.
Zulhelmy said that even without the missile launcher, the ships are still capable of carrying out various other roles while the procurement and integration of the missile system continue.
“The ships can still perform many other roles, such as helicopter operations and anti-submarine warfare training, as those capabilities are already available,” he said.
Previously, the Norwegian government reportedly revoked the export licence for the NSM to Malaysia, citing the need to safeguard its national security interests.
Following the decision, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) issued a notice of claim amounting to about RM1 billion against the defence company concerned over the cancellation of the NSM procurement contract.
MINDEF has also identified four countries that could potentially supply anti-ship missile systems for the LCS project following the cancellation.
