The 14th edition of International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) Asia was held 6 to 8 May 2025 at the Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore. The show, inaugurated in 1997 and held biennially, has evolved into Asia’s premier maritime defence event.
This year’s edition saw attendance surpass 12,500, and the participation of more than 230 companies from 26 countries and regions. The high-profile International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) also saw the congregation of 56 VIP delegations, which includes Navy Chiefs, Coast Guard Directors and Heads of Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies from more than 35 countries and regions. Strong representation from six country pavilions – Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore and the United States – further demonstrated exhibitors’ commitment to establishing a presence at this leading event.
Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, opened the show on 6 May 2025 with a speech highlighting the value of deep exchanges facilitated by platforms such as IMDEX, especially in a uncertain and complex global landscape.
He said “IMDEX has become a crucial platform where defence and military leaders and the defence industry converge to exchange perspectives, establish new partnerships and address common security challenges that affect our region. It is heartening to see such strong international participation, especially amidst the backdrop of a more turbulent world.”
He brought up the increasing frequency of “more novel threats such as cyber-attacks on ships and on maritime infrastructure” which are transforming the role of navies “beyond traditional threats and security domains, and even economic security and communications.” With this growing potential for disruption, he urged delegates to “leverage on the conversations that you find here, and bring forth new solutions.”
Mr Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director, Experia Events Pte Ltd, organiser of IMDEX Asia, noted that the current edition of IMDEX Asia was inline with the rise in global defence and R&D spending. He said, “The proliferation of AI-integrated systems, autonomous platforms and intelligent analytics solutions on display reflect a future-ready mindset across the global maritime ecosystem.”
Indeed, innovation and new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and uncrewed systems were well-represented by debutant exhibitors such as EuroATLAS, Marunda and Planet Labs, and AI-backed exhibitors such as Shield AI, SRT Marine Systems and Unseen Labs. These added depth to the traditional offerings by key industry players.
The 9th IMSC, co-hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, also featured a dedicated panel titled “New Developments in the Maritime Domain and their Impact on Contemporary Maritime Issues,” where representatives from Canada, Germany, Indonesia and Japan highlighted the dual-edged nature of technological innovations, as both enablers and potential risks. The panel also touched on streamlining defence acquisition and deployment processes, as well as multinational and private-sector collaboration to remain ahead in the rapidly evolving maritime security landscape.
The warship display, held concurrently at Changi Naval Base, complemented and completed the show experience. This mainstay showcase offered an exclusive look at the modern technologies integrated into naval fleets and allowed for the exchange of operational insights. A total of 17 warships from 13 countries formed an impressive line-up.
Warship
Country
HMAS Arunta (FFH151)
Australia
HMS Spey (P234)
UK
HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan (OPV552)
Thailand
INS Kiltan (P30)
India
ITS Antonio Marceglia (F597)
Italy
JS Yahagi (FFM5)
Japan
KD Lekir (F26)
Malaysia
KDB Darussalam (OPV06)
Brunei
KRI Bung Karno (K369)
Indonesia
KRI Kerambit (K627)
Indonesia
PLANS Chishui (M729)
China
PLANS Xuchang (FF536)
China
RSS Dauntless (LMV21)
Singapore
RSS Endeavour (LST210)
Singapore
RSS Tenacious (FFS71)
Singapore
SLNS Samudura (P261)
Sri Lanka
USS Dewey (DDG105)
USA
Opening Ceremony & Exhibition
01. Mr Ravinder Singh, Chairman of Experia Events, delivers the welcome remarks.02. Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Guest-of-Honour and Senior Minister of State for Defence, delivers the opening address.03. High-level delegates, including Navy Chiefs, attend the IMDEX Asia 2025 opening ceremony.04. Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Defence, tours the ST Engineering exhibit.05. VADM Aaron Beng, Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces, speaks with a delegate.06. ADM Akira Saito, Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, speaks with a representative at the Fincantieri booth.07. VIP delegates engage with a Naval Group representative at the Belh@rra frigate showcase.08. EuroATLAS, a debut exhibitor at IMDEX Asia, showcases a mock-up of its GREYSHARK uncrewed underwater vehicle in the Bravo configuration.09. Shield AI, another notable exhibitor, showcases the V-BAT UAS as an ISR platform. The company recently made headlines for partnering with the RSAF and DSTA to co-develop AI for autonomous flight operations.10. Saab’s Giraffe 1X Compact Radar Module, which offers “search on the move,” was among the standout innovations. It was recently deployed for anti-drone operations at the Paris Olympics.11. A live demonstration of the Giraffe 1X Compact Radar showcases its rapid mission adaptability, using AI-powered algorithms to classify aerial objects ranging from aircraft to drones and birds.12. Mr Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director, Experia Events, speaks to media during the press conference on 5 May.
Warship Display
13. From left to right: KDB Darussalam, PLANS Xuchang, PLANS Chishui, SLNS Samudura.14. PLANS Xuchang, a Type 054A frigate of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).15. The 32-cell vertical launching system (VLS) located on the bow of PLANS Xuchang.16. A single 76mm H/PJ26 naval gun located on the bow of PLANS Xuchang.17. PLAN patch worn by sailors aboard the Xuchang frigate.18. A Harbin Z-9C helicopter nested in the hangar of PLANS Xuchang.19. HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan, a Krabi-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).20. The Garuda—a renowned figure in Hindu and Buddhist mythology and the national emblem of Thailand—seen onboard HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan.21. A patch worn by an RTN sailor commemorates 60 years of diplomatic ties between Singapore and Thailand.22. RTN sailors pose for a group photo.23. KRI Kerambit (left) and KRI Bung Karno (right) of the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL).24. A TNI-AL sailor poses for a photo on the bridge of KRI Bung Karno.25. Polished furnishings on the bridge of KRI Bung Karno, which serves the unique role of a “VVIP Presidential Helicopter-Carrying-Missile Corvette.”26. Reception area onboard KRI Bung Karno.27. KRI Bung Karno is named after Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno.28. Conference room onboard KRI Bung Karno.29. The luxurious presidential suite onboard KRI Bung Karno.30. The main naval gun, the Bofors 57mm Mk3, on the bow of KRI Kerambit.31. The secondary gun, an M71/08 20mm autocannon, is located at the stern of KRI Kerambit.32. A sailor from the Royal Brunei Navy (TLDB) poses for a photo onboard KDB Darussalam.33. IMDEX Asia 2025 participation patch worn by a TLDB sailor.34. Bridge of KDB Darussalam.35. Communal area onboard RSS Dauntless of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).36. Two slipways at the stern of RSS Dauntless allow for the rapid launch and recovery of RHIBs or USVs.37. RSS Tenacious (left) and RSS Intrepid (right), Formidable-class stealth frigates of the RSN.38. Bridge of RSS Tenacious.39. A military expert from RSS Tenacious explains duties carried out at the engineering station.40. Patch worn by a sailor from RSS Tenacious.41. An RSN sailor poses for photos on the helicopter deck of RSS Tenacious.42. Maritime Security Unmanned Surface Vessel (MARSEC USV) of the RSN.43. ITS Antonio Marceglia, a FREMM frigate of the Italian Navy. It is on a six-month Indo-Pacific campaign that saw participation in IMDEX Asia, LIMA, and the Osaka Expo.44. INS Kiltan, an anti-submarine warfare corvette of the Indian Navy.45. HMAS Arunta, an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy.46. HMS Spey, a Batch 2 River-class OPV of the Royal Navy.47. USS Dewey, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer of the United States Navy.48. JS Yahagi, a Mogami-class frigate of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.49. KD Lekir, a Kasturi-class corvette of the Royal Malaysian Navy.50. RSS Endeavour, an Endurance-class landing ship tank of the RSN.
