Lima 2027 draws strong interest, 40% of exhibition space booked

KUALA LUMPUR: About 40% of the exhibition space for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2027 has been booked just two months after its soft launch, signalling strong interest from local and international exhibitors.

The exhibition will be held in Langkawi from April 20 to 24, 2027.

Defence minister Khaled Nordin said the early response reinforced Lima’s position as a preferred platform for defence diplomacy, technological collaboration and strategic business engagement in the Asia-Pacific.

“Within two months, nearly 40% of the exhibition space has already been reserved by exhibitors from Malaysia and around the world.

“This reflects the international community’s confidence in Malaysia,” he said in a speech delivered on his behalf by armed forces chief Malek Razak Sulaiman at the exhibition’s official launch at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) today.

Khaled said Lima 2027 is expected to attract about 930 exhibitors from 36 countries, 450 official delegates from 65 countries, 60,000 trade visitors and up to 400,000 members of the public.

The exhibition is also expected to feature up to 110 aircraft and other air assets, as well as about 90 maritime assets.

He said invitations had also been extended to four internationally renowned aerobatic display teams from South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Russia.

Speaking at a press conference after the launch, Malek said Lima 2027 supports the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN), the National Defence Strategic Plan and the armed forces’ long-term “Future Force” development plan under the 13th Malaysia Plan.

Malek said the exhibition would strengthen the armed forces’ operational readiness while supporting the growth of the local defence industry through closer collaboration among the government, the military and industry players.

Defence ministry secretary-general Lokman Hakim Ali said the ministry hoped Lima 2027 would encourage greater collaboration between foreign and local defence companies, in line with the DIPN.

“Our policy is to ensure at least 30% to 40% local content in whatever we import or procure from other countries,” he said.

Lokman said the ministry also wanted to shorten research and development timelines by adopting proven technologies while encouraging foreign original equipment manufacturers to work with Malaysian companies to strengthen local defence capabilities.