March 23, 2017 | 21:45 (GMT+7)
Vietnam mission’s activities in LIMA 2017
PANO - This week, peaceful Langkawi in the west of Malaysia has been busy with a wide range of activities in the frame work of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2017 (LIMA 2017) and the presence of scores of warships, fighters, military equipment, thousands of servicemen and businessmen from all over the world.
The Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam has dispatched a high-ranking military delegation and a naval ship to this event.
55 warships of different countries in a formation offshore Langkawi get involved in a number of activities as a search and rescue exercise and a fleet review. Frigate 011-Dinh Tien Hoang of Vietnam, captained by Senior Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hung, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4, with 140 officers and sailors on board, joins the event.
On board over 100 participating modern aircraft, pilots show off their professionalism. Vietnam joins the Air Chiefs conference, part of LIMA 2017, and has no fighter in the event.
Different groups of fighters fly at high speed in different formations with some fighters diving near the runway where Malaysian Prime Minister and international delegates are observing the show during the opening ceremony of LIMA 2017.
The Vietnamese delegation is led by Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang, member of the Party Central Committee, permanent member of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense.
Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang and other Vietnamese delegates at the opening ceremony of LIMA 2017, visiting some display booths and talking with representatives of participating companies
On the occasion, Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang, the Vietnamese head delegate, having bilateral meetings with representatives of participating countries
On March 21 afternoon, the first day of LIMA 2017, the organizing panel introduced to the delegates several speedboats manufactured in Malaysia. Malaysia has produced various speedboats for public security, naval, maritime law enforcement, customs and fisheries surveillance forces.
In his speech at LIMA 2017’s opening ceremony, the Malaysian Prime Minister stressed that the country will concentrate on developing its defense industry with such a target that by 2030, the industry could create jobs for some 32,000 people with high income and has a total turnover of 55.2 billion Malaysian Ringgit.
The Government of Malaysia also attaches due attention to the defense industry and LIMA. That has been proved by the presence of Malaysia PM Najib Razak and his opening speech at LIMA 2017. He also attended the show on March 21 afternoon in which Malaysian forces joined anti-terrorism drills. He will get involved in different activities in the framework of LIMA 2017.
An anti-terrorism and hostage rescue drill with the participation of different forces. Right after people were taken hostage, helicopters have located the terrorists.
With their professionalism and the support of modern aerospace and maritime equipment, the rescue team successfully relieved hostages while wiping out the terrorists. LIMA 2017 is held from March 21 to 26.
By Ngoc Hung from Langkawi, Malaysia
Translated by Mai Huong