Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2023 ⋆ MAphotoSG

Langkawi comes to life again after 4 years with the 16^th edition of LIMA from 23-27 May 2023. The biannual event was put on hold briefly due to the pandemic and it returned this year with the theme “The Nexus of Maritime and Aerospace Trade”. With over 525 exhibitors, 18 country pavilions, and the attendance of over 400 government top-decision makers, LIMA’23 is the largest edition till date. Over the 5-day period, 17.6 billion Ringgit worth of contracts were signed, 10.1 billion Ringgit (43 contracts) being defence related.

Aerospace Segment (Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre)

Opening Ceremony

The traditional opening gambit held on Tuesday 23 May saw an exhilarating display put up by 36 air assets from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Malaysian Army and Air Force Special Forces (PASKAU). Malaysian Minister of Defence, Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Hasan and Minister of Transport, YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook, officiated the event, along with the attendance of 8 defence ministers and 6 transport ministers across the region.

Malaysian Minster of Defence and Minister of Transport declaring LIMA’23 open.

RMAF’s F/A-18D painted for No. 18 Squadron’s silver jubilee, takes off for the opening gambit.

Crew onboard RMAF’s AW-139 waves as they proceed to form up for the helicopter fly-past.

A pair of Su-30MKM breaking at show centre.

Transport-trainer formation comprising of 1x A400M and 9x PC-7MK II.

3x C-130H executing a level break.

Followed by a PASKAU infiltration demonstration with the EC-725AP.

The RMAF fighter fly-past consisted of 3x Su-30MKM, 2x F/A-18D and 5x BAE Hawks.

The opening gambit concludes with a pyrotechnic display.

Aerial Display

The highly anticipated aerial display segment saw the participation of 3 local solo displays and 5 foreign military aerobatic teams — the most at any LIMA. With displays each day totalling up to 2 hours, visitors were treated to incredible flying skills and stunts that were bound to impress.

Malaysia
- Su-30MKM Solo Display, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
- F/A-18D Solo Display, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
- GB-1 Gamebird, Layang-Layang Flying Academy (LLFA)

Su-30MKM Solo Display is piloted by LT Col Norazan ‘Sting’ and MAJ Osman ‘Glitter’.

A low-transition take-off, before continuing with a series of thrust vectoring manoeuvres for the 10-minute handling display.

Taxiing back to flightline after a successful demonstration.

RMAF F/A-18D performing an afterburner take-off for the solo display.

The F/A-18D display provided numerous opportunities to witness the dispensing of flares.

The GB1 made its debut as the first Malaysian-Registered aerobatics aircraft, piloted by John Sham ‘Scratchman’, former RMAF Fighter Instructor.

Republic of Korea
- “Black Eagles”, 8x T-50B, Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF)

Flying the indigenous KAI T-50B, Black Eagles are regarded as one of the world’s best aerobatic team, having recently won the Best Overall Display at Avalon Airshow 2023.

Black Eagles #2, Left Wing, Major Gil Doo Hyeon, strapping into the aircraft.

Ground crew maintain communication with the pilots during the control surfaces check.

Black Eagles #1, Leader, Major Yang Eun Ho, returns a salute from the crowd.

The Crew Chief waves-off her aircraft with a hand signal unique to the pilot.

Commencing the take-off roll in a 3-ship formation.

Arrow formation as part of the starting “BUP” manoeuvre for the low/flat show.

“Change Turn”, with a quick and sharp transition from the Eagle to Big Arrow formation at show centre.

“Blooming Break”, a low/flat show manoeuvre consisting of 2 consecutive breaks by 4 aircraft each.

“Goose”, with Black Eagles #5 flying in the opposing direction and punching through the formation.

“Heart & Cupid”.

“Taegeuk”, symbolic of the flag of South Korea.

Black Eagles #7 pulling some Gs during the solo segment of the show.

Ground crew cheer on the pilots as they taxi back after another successful display.

Black Eagles pilots returning from the flight line.

The ground crew take pride in maintaining the aircraft in tip-top condition.

3 ROKAF C-130H/Js brought in support equipment for the team.

People’s Republic of China
- “August 1^st(Ba Yi)”, 6x J-10CY/SY, People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)

The newly acquired J-10CY made its debut at LIMA’23, replacing the J-10AY.

Sailors from the PLA Navy ship Zhanjiang were present to support the August 1st performance.

The older twin seater J-10SY, seen here taking off, still flies with the team in a mixed 6-ship display.

Sailors capturing the perfect moment of the colourful smoke trails created.

Leaving trails of vortices and smoke while doing a 6-ship loop.

6-ship top-side pass over show centre.

A videographer is seen in the backseat of a J-10SY.

Pilots of the August 1st march back from the flight line after their display.

United Arab Emirates
- “Al Fursan”, 7x MB-339NAT United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF)

Demonstrating a high level of precision with a 5-ship formation take-off.

The Aermacchi MB-339NAT are equipped with smoke generators producing red, blue, green and white smoke.

The top-side showcases black and gold patterns representing UAE’s golden deserts and oil resources.

The solo segment included an induced oscillation close to stall, showcasing the superior handling characteristics of the jet trainer.

Solo jet cutting through the formation.

Colouring the skies with a vertical break.

Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, flew in to witness the Al Fursan display.

Russian Federation
- “Russian Knights”, 6x Su-35S, Russian Air Force (RuAF)

Leaving Moscow 19 May, the team made their way to Langkawi in 3 days, with stopovers in Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Taiyuan and Hainan.

Ground crew waving the pilot off by touching the wings of the aircraft.

It was the first venture for the Russian Knights to LIMA with the Su-35S, previously attending LIMA’19 with Su-30SMs.

The 25-minute show is split into 6-ship, 4-ship, then the solo segment.

6-ship “dirty” pass with gears extended.

Breaking off for the solo segment.

Mirror pass.

High-G turn over show centre.

Jettisoning its brake chutes after landing.

Major Sergey Nakazny, #6 pilot of the Russian Knights.

Republic of Indonesia
- “Jupiter Aerobatics Team”, 6x KT-1B, Indonesian Air Force (IdAF)

The Jupiter Aerobatics Team has flown the KAI KT-1B trainer aircraft since 2008.

6-ship vertical loop.

4-ship pass with 2 aircraft giving chase in a helix pattern.

Jupiter Aerobatic Team members receiving a token of appreciation from the organisers.

Everlasting Friendships

With the diverse line-up, there were plenty of opportunities for cross-team interactions and VIP engagements. From friendship flights to joint photoshoots, these valuable moments allowed new bonds to be formed and professionalism to be showcased on the global stage.

RMAF and ROKAF Black Eagles conducted a friendship and photo flight over Langkawi on the first day of the show.

Lee Jong Sup, ROK Minister of National Defense, graces the photo opportunity after the RMAF-ROKAF friendship flight.

His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia was hosted by 53rd Air Demonstration Group commander Colonel Seo Yeong Jun during the walkabout.

His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia was given a tour of the T-50B cockpit.

Black Eagles pilots also interacted with senior members of the Malaysian military.

The Jupiter and August 1st Aerobatic Teams conducted a joint photoshoot session on the last trade day of the show.

Leaders of both teams were eager to exchange their patches after the photoshoot.

#3 pilots from both teams pose for a photo in front of a J-10CY.

Static Display

In addition to Malaysian assets from all service branches, the static display area also saw the attendance of 15 foreign aircraft, 10 from 6 foreign militaries and 5 from the commercial sector. The foreign aircraft display as listed:

Republic of Singapore Air Force
- AH-64D
- CH-47F
Royal Canadian Air Force
- CP-140
Royal Thai Air Force
- F-5THF
UAE Air Force
- P-180
United States Air Force
- C-130J
- C-37A
- KC-135R
United States Navy
- MH-60R
- P-8A
Airbus (Air Baltic)
- A220
Dassault Falcon
- Falcon 7X
Diamond
- DA-62
Embraer
- E195-E2
HAL
- HAL LUH (Light Utility Helicopter)

RTAF Northrop F-5THF.

RSAF Boeing AH-64D Apache.

USAF Lockheed C-130J based in Yokota AB.

Russia Air Force Ilyushin IL-76MD, also acted as the support aircraft for the Russian Knights.

USN P-8A Poseidon and USAF KC-135R.

RCAF Lockheed CP-140 Aurora, based on the P-3 airframe.

USAF C-37A, the military version of the Gulfstream V.

USN Sikorsky MH-60R from USS Mobile.

RMAF BAe Hawk 208.

RMAF Boeing F/A-18D Hornet in silver jubilee colours.

Embraer E195-E2, “Profit Hunter”.

Air Baltic Airbus A220.

Diamond DA-62 MPP (Multi-Purpose Platform) Demonstrator.

Cockpit of the Diamond DA-42 Twin Star.

Cockpit of the HAL Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

Malaysia Army MD 530G light attack helicopter, the fleet of 6 delivered in 2022.

RMAF Eurocopter EC725, with Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency Eurocopter AS-365N3 in the background.

Malaysia Fire and Recuse Department AgustaWestland A109E landing to take part in the static display.

Trade Exhibition (Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre)

This year, the Ministry of Defence covered 60% of LIMA for defence and security segments, and Ministry of Transport covered 40% for the commercial segment in maritime and aerospace industries. Local defence exhibitors numbered up to 240, which aligns with the National Transport Policy to encourage the internationalisation of these services. LIMA’23 once again proved to be a good platform for visitors and exhibitors alike, to showcase the latest technologies, conduct business dealings, and explore academic or career opportunities.

Notable contracts signed during this period include:

18 KAI FA-50 Block 20 Jet Trainer/Light Combat aircraft for RMAF
2 Leonardo ATR-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft for RMAF
3 TAI Anka Unmanned Aircraft Systems RMAF and RMP
4 Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters for Malaysian Army as part of a 5-year lease agreement with Aerotree Defence & Servces Sdn. Bhd.
10 Embraer E-195 E2 aircraft for SKS Airways as part of a 12-year lease with Azorra

YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, touring the exhibition grounds.

Sarsilmaz Firearms, a small arms manufacturer based in Turkey, showcases its pistols and rifles in various designs and configurations.

Adly Zahari, Malaysian Deputy Minister of Defence, engages with a Dearsan Shipyard representative on the C-92, which is being proposed to Malaysia for its LMS Phase 2 tender.

The “Drone Carrier” concept shown on a model of TCG Anadolu.

STM booth showcases the MiLGEM ADA Class, potential candidate for Malaysia’s LMS Batch 2 project.

Fincantieri showcases its naval automation technologies in its exhibit.

Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 model painted in RMAF colours.

The President and Vice-President of KAI engage trade attendees at their booth.

The signing ceremony between SKS Airways Sdn. Bhd., Azorra Aviation Holdings & Embraer for the lease of 10 E195-E2s, making SKS Airways the first airline in Southeast Asia to fly this aircraft.

The signing ceremony and E2 tour was graced by His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.

Maritime Segment (Resorts World Langkawi)

The maritime segment was graced by 40 ships, including 14 from 12 foreign countries. Admission was free for both public and trade visitors for all days, and visitors were also treated to daily maritime demonstrations by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMC), Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM).

Royal Malaysian Navy personnel soaking in the atmosphere at the maritime segment.