By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
Langkawi International Air and Maritime Exhibition 2023 (LIMA ‘23) which is taking place from 23 to 27 May 2023 is considered to be the largest since its beginning.
Indeed, the 16th edition of LIMA is highly anticipated by many. It was last held in 2019, with the 2021 edition postponed following the COVID-19 pandemic.
LIMA ’23 attracted the participation of five leading aerobatic teams and 525 exhibitors representing 140 companies from around the world this year, compared to 2019.
LIMA ’23 carries the theme of ‘Asia’s Maritime and Aerospace Trade Contact Point’. It was also accompanied by a total of 119 aircraft for static and aerobatic displays, in addition to 40 naval ships from home and abroad.
The organisation of LIMA ’23 involved two ministries, namely the Ministry of Defense (Maritime and Aerospace Defense Industry) and the Ministry of Transport (Maritime and Aerospace Commercial Industry).
LIMA is one of the largest maritime and aerospace exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific, and focuses mainly on the defence industry, but also supports civil industry.
LIMA was inspired by the former 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The first LIMA exhibition was held in 1991.
Initially, this exhibition was intended to be a platform for light and experimental aircraft to fly to avoid air traffic congestion based on the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh model in the United States.
Now, LIMA has changed and become one of the best places for manufacturers and related industries in the aerospace and maritime fields to promote the latest technology to civil and military leaders in Malaysia and countries in the Asia Pacific.
