NAVAL SPENDING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA REMAINS STEADY

SINGAPORE, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Naval spending in South and Southeast Asia is
expected to remain steady despite the global economic slowdown, compared with
forecast declines in other markets over the next two years, according to a naval
analysts agency.

AMI International said that its most recent procurement estimated that new
naval platform and related system procurement in South and Southeast Asia over
the next 20 years was still projected to be US$100 billion.

Acknowledging that its research showed that GDP growth in the region was
slowing, AMI said, however, that it would remain positive for almost every
country in the region's naval market.

"This continued growth should be enough to support near-term planned naval
spending plans in the region," AMI's Vice-President for Advisory Services Bob
Nugent said.

IMDEX Asia (Singapore), the organisers of IMDEX Asia 2009, the premier
dedicated maritime defence show serving the Asia-Pacific region commissioned the
study in conjunction with the show which will be held from this May 12 to 14.

The seventh in the series, IMDEX Asia 2009 will be held at Singapore Expo
and is expected to draw 140 exhibitors from more than 30 countries.

On the AMI forecast for the South and Southeast Asia, Nugent said political
stability and institutional rivalries would remain primary influences on naval
spending in the region.

Recent growing concerns about maritime and coastal security as well as the
safety of commercial shipping routes in the region had added urgency to existing
plans to enhance regional naval and coast guard capabilities, AMI said.

Ocean-going patrol and surveillance, maritime domain awareness, and maritime
or port security capabilities were expected to remain procurement priorities for
the region's naval investment, it added.
-BERNAMA