Dr Mahathir makes a landmark appearance as he returns to the 15th edition of LIMA as the 7th PM

by RAHIMI YUNUS / pic by HUSSEIN SHAHARUDDIN

THE Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2019 that concluded on Saturday has reaffirmed Malaysia’s place as a regional hub for businesses within the related sectors.

Touted as “the most successful LIMA ever”, the one-week event saw thousands of military top brass, industry captains and key leaders converging on the pristine island of Langkawi to witness the latest defence assets, technology and solutions, as well as to exchange views on pressing regional aerospace and maritime issues.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who returned to the 15th edition of LIMA as the seventh prime minister (PM), made a landmark appearance as he reminded many of his detractors on the significance of the event that he initiated way back in 1991.

His presence also evoked a sense of nostalgia for those who have been following LIMA from the very beginning.

At the end of the show, the biennial event secured more than RM4 billion worth of deals by the government and businesses, an increase from RM3.8 billion registered in 2017.

Most of the contracts were for the MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) services for existing strategic defence assets.

This would strengthen Malaysia’s role in the segment as the world turns its attention to the region for its next growth area in the coming decades.

Over 400 companies — including world’s two biggest plane makers Boeing Co and Airbus SE; Turkey’s largest defence company Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi AS; the UK’s largest defence and security company BAE Systems plc; and Russia’s state defence export agency cum the world’s second-largest arms exporter Rosoboronexport OJSC — from 32 countries participated in the event held at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre.

Over 80 military and commercial aircraft took centre stage on the tarmac of the Langkawi International Airport and its skies, a feast for the eyes of the trade and public visitors.

Among the highlights were Embraer SA’s E190-E2 in shark livery; the maiden appearance of Russia’s light fighter and advanced combat jet trainer Yakovlev Yak-130; and India’s latest indigenous light combat aircraft HAL Tejas.

Other aircraft in the static display section included the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Su-30MKM, the US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, Royal Thai Air Force Gripen and Dassault Aviation SA business jet Falcon 8X.

Aerobatic teams from the RMAF, Indonesia’s Jupiter and Russian Knights set the skies over Padang Matsirat ablaze with their gravity-defying skills.

Meanwhile, over 40 warships and maritime assets, including the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Scorpene submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, made their excursions to the Resort World Langkawi.

LIMA 2019 has grown by leaps and bound with more than 40,000 expected trade visitors and 240,000 public visitors thronged Langkawi for the show this year.

As the sun set on the Andaman Sea horizon on Saturday, it was time to bid farewell to the largest show of its kind in Asia Pacific.

Its next iteration in 2021 awaits to wow the crowd once again. See you at LIMA 2021!