Defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein said LIMA ’23 would be held following the success of the 2022 Asian Defence Services exhibition and 2022 Asia National Security exhibition in March and the readiness of Malaysia in view of the transition to the endemic phase.
To date, he said 600 exhibitors from 20 countries would be participating in LIMA ’23, which was expected to receive 45,000 trade visitors and 380 foreign guests.
According to Hishammuddin, the LIMA ’23 exhibition would involve 110 assets each in the air and maritime fields.
“The number of exhibitors, countries involved, trade and public visitors, guests and assets are expected to go up, which will make it the biggest participation ever recorded,” he said at a media conference after the LIMA ’23 pre-launch ceremony at the ministry here today.
Also present were transport minister Wee Ka Siong, armed forces chief Gen Affendi Buang; army chief Gen Zamrose Zain; navy chief Admiral Reza Sany and air force chief Gen Asghar Khan Goriman Khan.
Hishammuddin said that to ensure the smooth organisation of LIMA ’23, the event would be coordinated jointly by the defence and transport ministries.
He said the exhibition would be the best platform for defence industry companies worldwide to return to after not being able to do so for a long time due to Covid-19 and the postponement of LIMA ’21.
“This can directly open more opportunities in the effort to connect and promote strategic cooperation between local defence industry companies with their international counterparts.
“This is in line with the aim of the National Defence Industry Policy which is still being formulated,” he said.
Hishammuddin said the exhibition would showcase several innovations including a drone exhibition, a drone race segment, a space technology segment, an airline chief executive officers’ forum, education and career-related programmes for teenagers, e-games and a women’s segment.
“There is also a cybersecurity programme in the aviation and maritime industries and, of course, the exhibition of assets as well as the best air show in history,” he added.