Lima 2027 promises biggest defence showcase, 400,000 visitors expected

KUALA LUMPUR: The 18th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima 2027) is targeting 400,000 trade and public visitors, a 15 per cent increase from previous editions.

Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman said visitors will get a first-hand look at the Malaysian Armed Forces' latest acquisitions, including the FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft, the ANKA unmanned aerial vehicle from Türkiye and the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch 2.

Malek, while delivering the speech of Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Khaled Nordin at the launch event today, said Lima 2027 aims to strengthen Malaysia's position as a strategic defence, maritime and aerospace hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

This, he said, aligned with the National Defence Policy, the National Defence Industry Policy and the National Defence Strategic Plan.

He said the event is expected to attract about 930 exhibitors from 35 countries, more than 450 official delegations representing 65 nations, as well as 110 aircraft and 90 maritime assets.

He added that exhibitor response had been encouraging, with about 40 per cent of exhibition space booked within two months of sales opening.

"It encompasses every aspect of operational readiness of the armed forces, the strategic direction with the ministry, and efforts to strengthen the national defence industry," Malek said.

"Within two months, about 40 per cent of the exhibition space has already been reserved by exhibitors from Malaysia and abroad," he added.

In an accompanying statement, the Defence Ministry said Lima 2027 would place greater emphasis on next-generation defence technologies, including autonomous maritime systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, satellite communications, space technology, advanced weapons systems, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities.

It said the exhibition would also strengthen defence diplomacy, expand defence industry supply chains and create new opportunities for Malaysian companies to penetrate international markets.

Under the theme 'Sustainable Vision Across Sea, Sky and Space', Lima 2027 will be held in Langkawi, Kedah, from April 20 to 24 next year.

It is set to feature four of the world's premier aerobatic display teams — South Korea's Black Eagles, the United Arab Emirates' Al Fursan Display Team, Indonesia's Jupiter Aerobatic Team and Russia's Russian Knights.