Kuala Lampur, July 7 -- KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 - The Norwegian government's cancellation of its export licence for the NSM (Naval Strike Missile) system to Malaysia will not affect the delivery schedule of the country's littoral combat ships (LCS), Parliament was told.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said in a written reply dated July 7 that the scheduled delivery of the ships is guaranteed by the Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS).

The Ministry of Defence has spent RM8.45 billion on the LCS project as of May 31 this year, representing 76.2 per cent of the overall project value, Parliament was told.

However, the project's current physical progress stands at 78.1 per cent, compared with the planned target of 85.21 per cent.

"The LCS ...