LIMA '23 opens with air show by more than 70 aircraft

LANGKAWI (Malaysia), May 23 (Bernama) -- More than 70 aircraft belonging to the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) roared in the sky here Tuesday to symbolise the opening of the 2023 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA'23).

The event, which started at 9.45 am, was preceded by an air show on the tarmac in front of the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) here, in the presence of Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan and Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Also present were Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the Kedah state chief minister  Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and several dignitaries and members of the foreign delegations.

The opening gambit began with a show of the F/A-18D Hornet fighter aircraft with the roaring sound of its engine shaking the tarmac.

Another show that attracted the public’s attention was a rescue demonstration using MD530G and EC725AP helicopters involving 10 members of a special team.

The show ended with a diamond formation by SU30MKM, F/A18D and Hawk aircraft and an explosion on the tarmac.

Prior to this,  ATM had confirmed that five countries will participate in the aerobatic show, namely Indonesia, China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.

LIMA '23, themed 'The Nexus of Asia's Maritime and Aerospace Trade'  starts today until May 27.

This edition of the exhibition involves two ministries, the Ministry of Defence (Defense Sector) and the Ministry of Transport (Commercial Sector).

The biennial exhibition was last held in 2019 and in 2021, it was postponed following the COVID-19 pandemic.

-- BERNAMA