The defence ministry has a contract with Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS to obtain naval strike missiles (NSMs) for the navy’s LCS project, but new Norwegian legislation on arms deals forbids the delivery of advanced weapons to non-Nato countries, according to defence news portal Malaysian Defence.

In a statement yesterday, Khaled said the Malaysian government would engage with its Norwegian counterparts to obtain an explanation and discuss the appropriate measures.

Lim said the incident was “yet another embarrassing chapter” in the LCS project, adding that the public deserved to know whether the government would have to bear additional costs to modify the ships or procure an alternative system if the NSM contract cannot proceed.

“I urge the defence minister to provide a detailed explanation before the parliamentary special select committee (on security) and identify those responsible for this lapse,” he said in a statement today.

“After years of delays and billions spent, the public now sees the LCS project as more than just a troubled programme – it risks becoming a symbol of failure in the management of national defence.”

The LCS project, launched in 2011 with an initial contract value of about RM9 billion, has been plagued by delays, design changes, and cost overruns now exceeding RM11 billion.

A report by the Public Accounts Committee also highlighted mismanagement and wastage in the programme.