Malaysia is set to receive Norway’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM) in March as part of a phased effort to modernize the Royal Malaysian Navy’s surface strike capabilities. The acquisition will replace the navy’s aging Exocet MM40 Block 2 missiles, which have been in service for nearly three decades. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed the delivery timeline, noting that the NSM is one of two new surface-to-surface missile systems under procurement. Developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the NSM will be fielded alongside Turkey’s Roketsan ATMACA anti-ship missile, expected to arrive in 2028. Authorities are currently evaluating both systems to ensure they meet requirements for extended range, enhanced radar evasion, and integration with modern sensor networks. The missile upgrades form part of Malaysia’s long-term naval restructuring plan introduced in 2015, which aims to consolidate the fleet into five principal ship classes by 2050. The broader program includes the construction of five new-generation surface combatants, with the first scheduled for commissioning in December 2026 and the second in August 2027. The 400-kilogram NSM measures four meters in length and is powered by a solid rocket booster and a Microturbo TRI-40 turbojet engine. It carries a penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead and can strike targets beyond 110 nautical miles at speeds exceeding 1,100 kilometers per hour.
