SINGAPORE, May 31 — Norway has apologised to Malaysia over the cancellation of an export licence for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), but has maintained its decision to revoke the approval for the defence system.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the issue was raised during a bilateral meeting with his Norwegian counterpart Tore O. Sandvik on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies during the Shangri-La Dialogue here today, New Straits Times reported.

“I met my Norwegian counterpart and he conveyed his apology, but also explained the basis for the cancellation,” Khaled was quoted as saying.

The NSM, which was intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme, had previously been at the centre of objections from Malaysia following Oslo’s sudden withdrawal of the export approval.

Malaysia had earlier expressed concern over the move, which it said could affect the LCS programme’s operational readiness and broader defence modernisation plans.

Norway’s decision to revoke the licence remains in place despite diplomatic engagement between both sides at the high-level security forum.

The NSM dispute involves a contract between the Royal Malaysian Navy and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS signed in 2018.