LIMA '09
Air force to buy jet trainers

2009/11/29

By Adrian David

KUALA LUMPUR: Several defence contracts are expected to be inked during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2009 (Lima '09) exhibition. Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Abdullah said one of the main draws would be the contract for delivery of Aermacchi MB-339C advance jet trainers for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

The aircraft will be handed over to the Defence Ministry by Alenia Aermacchi of Italy, he said.

Bakar added that details of other contracts would be revealed during the exhibition.

"A total of 325 exhibitors from 25 countries have so far confirmed participation for Lima 2009, into its 10th edition.

"There will be 11 national pavilions to represent businesses from countries such as Australia, the United States, Italy, France, Russia, Germany, Britain, India and Malaysia," he said.

Organised by HW Lima Sdn Bhd, the exhibition is expected to draw more than 40,000 trade visitors and 236 delegates from 40 countries.

Moving away from its traditional two-venue setup, Lima '09's aviation and maritime segments will be held in and around the 21,321 sq m Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre at Padang Matsirat.

"Vessels and maritime demonstrations, however, will continue to be held at Porto Malai."

The highlights of the maritime exhibition will be the introduction of the Royal Malaysian Navy's first French-made SSK Scorpene submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, and the navy's planned 75th anniversary programme.

It will include an international fleet review and "battle of the bands" competition among the navy and foreign warship bands.

The aerospace segment will see the air force performing aerobatics with its Sukhoi Su-30MKM multi-role combat aircraft, the MiG-29N Fulcrum air superiority fighter, the Aermacchi MB-339CM and the Pilatus PC-7 MkII trainer.

The United States Air Force will perform a low-level fly-past with its B-52 Stratofortress.

Singapore will showcase its AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter and F-16 Fighting Falcon jet, and for Australia, its F-111 Aardvark.

"Lima '09 will showcase a number of specialised businesses such as avionics, command and control systems, diving equipment, propulsion systems, satellite/imaging/surveilllance systems, NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) contamination systems, simulators and training equipment/services," he said.

Among the companies which have confirmed participation are Finmeccanica, Fincantieri, Raytheon, Zephyr, Elettronica, Bombardier, L3 Communications, Suncraft Int Pte Ltd, EADS, MBDA, Hawker Pacific, Lockheed Martin, Navantia, Thales, Saab, BAE Systems, FLIR Systems, DCNS, Atlas Elektronik, AgustaWestland and Daewoo.

Local participation will comprise leading companies such as the National Aerospace Defence Industries, Airod Sdn Bhd, Boustead Naval Shipyard, Composites Technology Research Malaysia, MTU Services Sdn Bhd and Zetro Aerospace Corporation Sdn Bhd.