Key facts
- Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Malaysia picked Turkey as preferred supplier after evaluating proposals from Turkey, France and Italy.
- Malaysia will negotiate with the Turkish government through a government-to-government arrangement before a final decision, Mohamed Khaled said.
- Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia would mainly pay for launchers and integration because Atmaca missiles were already ordered for the Littoral Mission Ships.
- Mohamed Khaled said a fresh missile order from scratch could have cost between $700 million and $900 million.
- Mohamed Khaled said the Atmaca has a surface-to-surface range of 250km and appeared compatible with the LCS, subject to further checks.
- Malaysia is pursuing contractual dispute resolution with Norway and may proceed to arbitration in Kuala Lumpur, Mohamed Khaled said.
Malaysia's defense ministry has selected Turkey as its preferred supplier of an alternative anti-ship missile for the Royal Malaysian Navy's Littoral Combat Ships, Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said on November 12, 2026. The choice follows Norway's failure to issue the export licence needed for the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile, or NSM.
Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia had accepted it would not receive the NSM missiles despite having made payments and fulfilled its obligations under the procurement agreement. Malaysia has completed the first stage of contractual dispute resolution, amicable negotiations, without a resolution, and will now set up a dispute resolution committee, he said. If that fails, Malaysia can proceed to arbitration in Kuala Lumpur under the contract terms.
Malaysia invited Turkey, France and Italy to submit proposals and picked Turkey on price, delivery timelines and initial costs, the minister said. Negotiations will run through a government-to-government arrangement with the relevant Turkish agency rather than directly with a private company, he said, and a final decision has not been made.
Mohamed Khaled said the proposed Turkish system, Roketsan's Atmaca, appeared compatible with the LCS and capable of integration, though those aspects would be examined further in negotiations. He said the missile has a surface-to-surface range of 250km.