KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- The procurement process for a new missile system to replace the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) for Littoral Combat Ships is expected to be completed within the next two to three years, said Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman.
He said the Malaysian Armed Forces is currently evaluating missile systems from four countries — France, Turkiye, Italy and South Korea — to replace the NSM system after Norway previously cancelled its export.
"At the earliest, it will take another two to three years because this is a new procurement and many aspects need to be considered first, including the budget.
"The procurement process has to start again from scratch to obtain a suitable replacement for the existing system," he said after the launch of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2027 here today.
Yesterday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the technical evaluation to select a missile system from another country as a replacement for the NSM is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Commenting on the two incidents that occurred during exercises at Kem Hobart, Kedah, last month, Malek Razak said they had not affected any operations or training activities.
He said operations and training at the camp were continuing as usual despite the incidents.
According to him, the army is also reviewing whether there is room to improve the standard operating procedures for conducting training, as well as monitoring mechanisms and facilities at Kem Hobart.
On June 16, two soldiers were killed after reportedly sustaining severe injuries in a bomb explosion during training at the camp's firing range.
The camp came under the spotlight again when two soldiers from the Fourth Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment suffered leg injuries after being struck by shrapnel following an explosion involving a firearm during training on June 30.
"At the earliest, it will take another two to three years because this is a new procurement and many aspects need to be considered first, including the budget.
"The procurement process has to start again from scratch to obtain a suitable replacement for the existing system," he said after the launch of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2027 here today.
Yesterday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the technical evaluation to select a missile system from another country as a replacement for the NSM is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Commenting on the two incidents that occurred during exercises at Kem Hobart, Kedah, last month, Malek Razak said they had not affected any operations or training activities.
He said operations and training at the camp were continuing as usual despite the incidents.
According to him, the army is also reviewing whether there is room to improve the standard operating procedures for conducting training, as well as monitoring mechanisms and facilities at Kem Hobart.
On June 16, two soldiers were killed after reportedly sustaining severe injuries in a bomb explosion during training at the camp's firing range.
The camp came under the spotlight again when two soldiers from the Fourth Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment suffered leg injuries after being struck by shrapnel following an explosion involving a firearm during training on June 30.