Britain's BAE Aims To Showcase Its Best At Lima '17

By Aishah Mohmad Afandi KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) -- British multinational defence, security and aerospace company, BAE Systems will be showcasing its latest defence and security solutions to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) during the upcoming Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA '17). Its Southeast Asia managing director, John Brosnan said it is part of the move by the company in its bid to offer its Eurofighter Typhoon to the RMAF. "The company continues to offer its Eurofighter Typhoon package to meet RMAF's multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) requirement," he told Bernama here. The bid to purchase either the Eurofighter Typhoon or French Dassault Rafael by the RMAF is to replace the Russian Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters which have been in service since 1990s and were slated to be substituted in 2015. BAE will also be conducting a briefing on the Eurofighter Typhoon on March 22 regarding their latest advanced new generation technology and what it means for Malaysia. During the session, BAE is also expected to make two announcements. "We are looking forward to a fruitful LIMA 17’ as we continue to grow our presence in Malaysia and across Asia," he said. Meanwhile, a full-scale replica and simulator of the Eurofighter Typhoon will also be showcased during the five-day defence exhibition. Speaking to Bernama also, BAE Systems Southeast Asia Communications director, Simon Astley said that the simulator is the one used by pilots before flying the real one. "The interior of the replica is the same as the fighter jet, just that it does not fly. Visitors are welcome to come and see as well as feel how is it in the fighter plane. Who knows, it will trigger their interest in becoming an engineer or a fighter jet pilot," he said. The biennial LIMA exhibition which is one of the largest maritime and aerospace exhibition in the Asia Pacific will be held in Malaysia's island of Langkawi from March 21-25 where companies from 35 countries including Malaysia will be taking part. -- BERNAMA