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Expressions of interest are encouraged for Australian aerospace and maritime companies to take part in Team Defence Australia’s contingent at the 15th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition from 26-30 March 2019.
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The 15th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2019 is a biennial exhibition, dedicated to the maritime and aerospace sectors for defence, civil and commercial applications.
Held biennially since its debut in 1991, LIMA is an ideal platform where industry stakeholders can engage and expand their networks towards forging new partnerships and business agreements.
As part of the exhibition, LIMA includes a series of round tables and conferences, as well as business forums, which offer access to invaluable information that enables businesses to stay ahead of the competition and seize new opportunities in the dynamic Asia-Pacific market.
LIMA is the largest show of its kind within the Asia-Pacific region. Its impressive list of international exhibitors and suppliers is more than matched by the supportive presence of industry elites, which range from senior government officials and military and civil delegates, to industry movers and shakers and more.
Team Defence Australia will lead the Australian national pavilion providing Australian businesses of all sizes with the opportunity to showcase their capabilities at the largest trade show in the Asia-Pacific.
The TDA contingent will include a number of key Australia government stakeholders and partners, including:
- The Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC);
- Austrade;
- State and territory governments;
- Defence primes;
- Australian Department of Defence staff; and
- Staff from the Australian high commission in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia presents a number of commercial opportunities for Australian businesses, with key areas of focus for Malaysia including:
- Aerospace: Obsolescence issues within the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will continue to hinder optimum operation of aircraft fleets in the coming years. Demand is high to replace Malaysia’s 30 to 40-year-old platform fleets, with a high focus on air platforms – highlighted by a pending tender for new multi-role combat aircraft, plus a strong intent to further invest in unmanned systems, implying more investment in infrastructure and ground control stations.
- Maritime (including coastal surveillance and shipbuilding): Continuous anti-piracy missions and patrols around the Straits of Malacca have allowed the Royal Malaysian Navy to develop a high proficiency in maritime roles. Maintaining the security of transmitted information is a priority for all naval and maritime enforcement agencies. Equipment upgrade programs have been undertaken frequently by naval forces to cater for ageing vessels.
Planned defence spending for 2018 is part of the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016 to 2020) – Malaysia's five-year development plan. It is generally required that funding for programs as part of the 11MP be secured prior to the start of the plan. The revised defence budget is part of a mid-term correction that provides for an opportunity to review parts of the plan.
Malaysia's defence sector has largely developed from the provision of maintenance and logistic support for foreign-built equipment for commercial and military aircraft.
Malaysian defence is highly dependent on foreign suppliers. Although there are insufficient capabilities at the manufacturing level, the local industry is actively building up its local know-how in the maritime and aerospace sectors.
Key priorities in defence research and development are mainly in C4ISR, cyber security and autonomous systems.
LIMA 2017 saw participation from 555 companies from 36 countries covering a total occupied area of 119,209 square metres. Malaysian companies topped the chart in their participation in the event, followed by Russia, France, Australia, the UK and the US.
As part of LIMA 2017, 371 delegations from 49 countries, as well as 279,969 trade and public visitors, attended the five-day event. LIMA 2017 was covered by 634 journalists comprising local and international media and trade magazines.
More information, including applications for financial support as part of Austrade's Export Grants program is available here, with expressions of interest due by COB Monday, 10 December 2018.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
