# Anwar warns Europe after Norway pulls a missile-export licence: 'we'll seek alternatives'
> RM600m+ in direct losses after a cancelled NSM delivery; Anwar, on Russian TV, contrasts Oslo's reversal with Moscow 'honouring all commitments'

**Meta:** type: story · date: 2026-06-18 · heads: Dinheiro de quem, A mudança silenciosa · 5 takes · 2 lenses · 1 regions

## Summary

[Anwar Ibrahim](/pt/entity/anwar-ibrahim) sharpened a grievance against Europe after Norway revoked the export
licence for a Naval Strike Missile system days before delivery, citing tighter controls
on sensitive military tech. [Malaysia](/pt/entity/malaysia) had paid 95% of the contract value; Defence
Minister Khaled Nordin put direct losses above RM600m, with indirect costs possibly
exceeding RM1bn. Speaking to Russia's RT, Anwar warned that developing nations "will have
to seek alternatives" if European states keep treating them unfairly while others stay
"muted and silent", and contrasted Oslo's reversal with [Moscow](/pt/entity/vladimir-putin) having
"honoured all commitments" despite sanctions-era payment hurdles. The remarks — and the
choice of a Russian outlet — signal Kuala Lumpur tilting its arms and alignment options
away from Western suppliers, consistent with Anwar's [outreach to Russia](/pt/n/asean-russia-kazan-summit).

## By the numbers

- 95% — share of the contract value Malaysia had already paid.
- RM600m+ — direct losses cited by the defence minister; RM1bn+ possible indirect.
- March — when Norway revoked the licence, days before scheduled delivery.

## Why it matters

A cancelled licence after near-full payment hands Anwar a reliability argument to justify
diversifying defence procurement toward Russia, China or domestic options — a quiet shift
in a hedging Southeast Asian state. Aired on Russian TV, it doubles as a signal to Western
capitals that export-control politics carries a strategic cost.

## What to watch

- Whether Malaysia recovers funds or redirects the contract to a non-Western supplier.
- Concrete arms deals with Russia, China or Turkey that follow the rhetoric.
- Whether other ASEAN buyers echo the "seek alternatives" line.

## Regional takes (batched by bias / lens)

### unlabelled
- **Ministry of Defence Malaysia (MINDEF statements)** (Malaysia, ms) — Malaysia's defence ministry — primary source for Defence Minister Khaled Nordin's 2 June account of Norway's licence revocation and the stated RM600m+ direct loss on the cancelled missile delivery.
  Source: https://www.mod.gov.my/
- **The Star** (Malaysia, en) — 
  Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/06/18/developing-nations-will-seek-alternatives-if-treated-unfairly-by-european-countries-says-pm-anwar
- **The Sun (Malaysia)** (Malaysia, en) — 
  Source: https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/people-issues/developing-nations-will-seek-new-allies-if-treated-unfairly-says-anwar/

### Malaysian independent
- **Free Malaysia Today** (Malaysia, en) — Reports Anwar's warning that developing nations will seek other partners if Europe treats them unfairly, anchored in the Norway licence cancellation after Malaysia had paid 95% of the contract — framed as a sovereignty-and-reliability grievance.
  > "Developing nations will not tolerate unfair treatment by Europe, Anwar said, citing Norway's cancelled missile licence after Malaysia paid 95% of the contract."
  Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/06/18/developing-nations-will-not-tolerate-unfair-treatment-by-europe-says-anwar
- **Malay Mail** (Malaysia, en) — Carries Anwar's RT interview in which he contrasts Norway's reversal with Russia having 'honoured all commitments' through sanctions-era payment difficulties — a pointed alignment signal toward Moscow over a Western supplier.
  > "Anwar said Moscow had honoured all commitments despite payment-system difficulties, while a European supplier reversed a deal Malaysia had nearly paid in full."
  Source: https://www.malaymail.com/amp/news/malaysia/2026/06/19/treat-us-unfairly-and-developing-nations-will-deal-elsewhere-anwar-tells-europe/224343

## Across the graph
- Related: [[anwar-johor-election-test]], [[asean-russia-kazan-summit]]
- Entities: Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia

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Canonical: https://rbtfl.xyz/pt/n/anwar-europe-norway-missile-row