In his remarks, the host Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad held that LIMA is a large-scale maritime and aerospace expo in the Asia Pacific region.
This year’s event has attracted hundreds of delegations from 390 defense and commercial contractors from 31 countries worldwide. Among them, 195 international firms will display their newest products and services during five days from March 26 to 30.
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Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad speaking at the opening ceremony |
He underlined that the LIMA 2019 takes place at a time when the Malaysian Defense Ministry is in the midst of preparing its first ever Defense White Paper, with the aim at informing the public on its priorities and future plans to bolster defense and security of the country.
After the opening ceremony, General Minh and his entourage toured pavilions at the LIMA 2019.
On the same day, Senior Colonel Hoang Quang Ha, Deputy Chief of the Staff of the Vietnam People’s Navy, a member of the Vietnamese Defense Ministry delegation, participated in the Chief of Navies’ Roundtable Talk with a theme “Commandeering Today’s Navy to Safeguard Tomorrow’s National Interest: Aligning Navies’ Strategy with National Development Goals.”
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Senior Lieutenant General Pham Ngoc Minh and Vietnamese delegation visiting the 2019 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition |
Delivering his opening speech, Admiral Datuk Mohd Reza Mohd Sany, Royal Malaysian Navy chief, emphasized that navies of the world have worked together via international and regional mechanisms, contributing to reducing the impact of issues such as piracy, natural disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, on many countries. He added that naval forces should regularly adjust strategies in order meet their country’s development goals.
During the LIMA 2019, a representative of the Vietnamese Defense Ministry delegation will join the Air Chiefs' Conference and National Maritime Conference. These events will focus on discussing topics related to aviation and maritime.
Under the theme “Defense and Commercial Connecting Intelligence,” the LIMA 2019 comprises 60 percent defense and 40 percent commercial contents, which are showcased on a total area of 119,000sq.m. Around 42,000 visitors are expected to converge at the exhibition to see the newest products and services offered by the exhibitors, as well as to explore business potentials, especially with Malaysia-based companies.
Twelve countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam sent their ships to the LIMA 2019. The Vietnamese Frigate 012 - Ly Thai To will take part in all events and exercises of the LIMA 2019.
Particularly on the same day, the 012 - Ly Thai To participated in a fleet review at Porto Malai area, around one nautical mile from Langkawi port.
On the first day of the LIMA 2019, aircraft and warships of the host and other participating countries presented an impressive demonstration to audiences.
Translated by Van Hieu