Rafale Jet Fighter Returns To LIMA

LANGKAWI (Kedah, Malaysia), March 21 (Bernama) -- French multirole fighter aircraft Rafale is returning to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) for the fourth time since 2011. Developed by three major French aerospace companies, namely Dassault Aviation SA, Safran SA and Thales Group, the aircraft will display its manoeuvrability at the LIMA 2017 in another awe-inspiring performance that is expected to mesmerise visitors for up to nine minutes. The aircraft will perform a variety of solo aerial display sequences which include manoeuvres such as square dance, slow pass-slow loop, and the breathtaking split "S" - fullstop landing. For this purpose, Rafale International SA, a joint venture between the three manufacturers to promote the jet fighter to international customers, has brought two aircraft, the single-seater (Rafale C) and twin-seater (Rafale B) which belong to the French Air Force, to the exhibition. "We are delighted to be back in Malaysia for LIMA. This exhibition is an opportunity for Rafale International to renew and strengthen ties with our existing and future partners. "At the same time, it provides a good platform for the Rafale to execute its state-of-the-art technology, capability and features that will not only benefit the aviation and defence sector, but also the country's education, investment and development," Rafale International said in a statement on Monday. It said the three companies involved in the manufacturing of Rafale were actively collaborating with Malaysian partners, including local industry players, organisations and institutions involved in research and high-technology development. The Rafale is a twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft that is able to carry out a wide range of missions such as air policing and defensive counter air, air-to-ground precision attack, air-to-sea strike, nuclear deterrence, and air reconnaissance without having multiple fighter aircraft in an operation. With continuous upgrades, this canard delta wing multirole aircraft is guaranteed to be operational for the next 40 years and beyond and is fully adaptable to any future needs, it said. It added that since LIMA 2015, the Rafale had been delivered to Egypt, and sold to Qatar and India. The five-day LIMA 2017 will kick off on Tuesday for registered trade exhibitors and visitors until Thursday and is open for public on Friday and Saturday. Featuring 555 exhibitors, the event is targeted to attract 40,000 trade visitors and 140,000 public visitors this year compared with 512 exhibitors, 39,683 trade visitors and 139,478 public visitors in 2015. --BERNAMA