Interest for Lima Grows

The 13th edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA ’15) is getting increased interest from global defense manufacturers. 

Organizers of LIMA are seeing a jump in both new-to-market companies as well as an increase in space take-up by existing exhibitors. 

According to Ahmad Dzuhri, Managing Director for LIMA ’15, “the exhibition is seeing increased participation from Russia and the US as well as interest from non-traditional exhibitors from China, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. This might stem from the fact that ASEAN is one of the highest importers of military hardware and software. 

In 2013, we had 433 exhibitors from 31 countries and we are confident that this number will surpass the 500 mark.”

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute predicts ASEAN will spend USD$40 billion on defense by 2016. In the naval sector, ASEAN countries continue to show interest in major platforms such as submarines, surface combatants and support ships in the short and long term. 

In Malaysia, Boustead Naval Shipyard will start building its 6 Littoral Combat Ships, collaborating with DCNS of France for the Royal Malaysian Navy soon. The RMN will also be looking for at least 6 ASW helicopters meant to compliment the LCS purchase.

Invitations to 44 Chiefs of Navy to attend LIMA ’15 have already been sent by Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy. This includes chiefs from ASEAN, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East and selected countries worldwide.

Organizers are confident that attendance at next year’s show will surpass the 25 Chiefs of Navy and 6 Heads of Coast Guard at LIMA ’13.

Visiting navy ships at LIMA ’13 were from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Russia. A total of 54 Ships and various vessels were on display at the last edition.

LIMA ’15 will be held from 17 to 21 March 2015 in Langkawi, Malaysia.

LIMA is a biennial event that gathers the world’s leading maritime and aerospace companies in a week of high impact business and networking activities with special aerobatic and ship displays as highlights.