LANGKAWI island is set to welcome a target of 400,000 trade and public visitors for the 2027 edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), an estimated 15% increase from the 2025 edition. Under the theme “Sustainable Innovation Across Sea, Sky & Space,” LIMA 2027 will take place from April 20-24 next year.
LIMA 2027 was launched today in a ceremony officiated by the organiser Global Exhibition and Conferences’ (GEC) Chairman Azizan Ariffin, Chief of Defence Force (CDF) General Malek Razak, defence ministry secretary-general Lokman Hakim Ali, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief Gen Muhammad Norazlan, Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief Admiral Zulhelmy Ithnain with other top brass.
Aligned with the National Defence Policy, National Defence Industry Policy (NDIP) and the National Defence Strategic Plan (NDSP), LIMA 2027 will look to reinforce Malaysia’s position as a strategic defence, maritime and aerospace hub in the Asia-Pacific region. To date, exhibitor response has proved encouraging with around 40% of exhibition space already taken up by exhibiting companies.
Gen Malek and secretary-general Ali both stated that LIMA 2027 would bolster the armed forces’ operational readiness and simultaneously foster growth of the local defence industry through closer collaboration between local and international defence firms as well as strengthen the country’s defence diplomacy in line with the NIDP and NDSP.
The 18th iteration of the aerospace and maritime event is expected to gather 930 exhibitors from 35 countries, over 450 official delegations representing 65 nations, in addition to 110 aircraft and 90 maritime assets. Expected to be the highlights of the event are some of the Malaysian Armed Forces’ (MAF) latest assets such as the RMAF’s Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50M light fighter, the Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TUSAS) Anka-S medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and the RMN’s new Maharajalela-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).
As a mainstay of the event, international aerobatic display teams including Indonesia’s Jupiter Aerobatic Team, South Korea’ Black Eagles, the United Arab Emirates’ Al Fursan Display Team, and the Russian Knights are among those invited to return.–shp/adj/dl (Pix:ADJ, MINDEF)
