Defence minister Khaled Nordin said the government is weighing factors such as cost, delivery timelines, and compatibility with the combat management system already installed on its ships.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is considering allocating RM700 million to more than RM1 billion for a new surface-to-surface missile system after Norway cancelled the export licence for the system intended for the navy’s littoral combat ships (LCS).

Defence minister Khaled Nordin said Putrajaya could not wait for the funds tied up in the Norwegian procurement to be recovered before moving ahead with a replacement.

“So, how do we replace the missiles that were supposed to be placed on the ship? The government may have to consider a new allocation to buy a replacement,” The Star quoted him as telling reporters after an event in Kota Tinggi, Johor, today.